Page 8 of Wicked Pursuit

In the center of my pillow is a small jewelry box.

“Maybe it’s from Luke.” Even as I say it, I know I’m reaching. When we first got together, Luke did the normal boyfriend thing of buying me jewelry for holidays. He quickly realized that my taste is incredibly eclectic and, while I appreciated the thought, I never wore what he bought me more than once or twice before it ended up in a drawer. These days, he buys... Fuck, I don’t even know. The ridiculously expensive coffee I like. Sometimes we go out for meals to places I want to try. Thoughtful little things that prove he really knows me and understands what I like.

Gods, but we’re boring.

Either way, there’s no possibility that he suddenly started buying me jewelry again.

As tempting as it is to go straight to the box, I make myself check the closet, jerking my dresses to the side, and then the bathroom. Both are empty.

Only then do I return to the bed. I keep hold of the gun as I stare at the box; I’m not ready to let myself be even a little defenseless yet. I flip open the lid, half expecting a bomb.

It’s a ring.

“What the fuck?” I sit on the bed and stare at it. It’s beautiful. A large ruby nestled into a woven gold band. The band looks a little like... “Teeth.” Sharp and predatory and designed to rip into prey. I snort and take it out of the box. Teeth around a drop of blood. It’s pretty and over-the-top and exactly something I would have picked out for myself. “Whoisthis fucking dude?”

My phone rings and I drop the box. I know without looking that it’shim. I should let the call go to voicemail, but I find myself picking up the phone all the same. “What a hideous little gift.”

“You love it.”

I would if it were from anyone else, and that pisses me off. “I don’t fuck with costume jewelry.”

His chuckle makes me grit my teeth. “Nothing but the best for you, baby. This ring is special. Did you know that?”

Despite myself, I can’t help perching the phone between my face and shoulder and tugging the ring out of the box. “Don’t tell me you’re proposing. The answer is no, Wolf.”

“You haven’t earned the right to be my wife, Red.”

That stings, and it has absolutely no right to sting. I glare at nothing and slip the ring onto my finger. Just to see. It fits perfectly. “Fine. I’ll bite. What’s so special about it?”

“You’ll find out.” A pause. “I can’t wait to see it on your finger in person. Soon, baby.” He hangs up.

The front door opens.

I don’t stop to think. I jump to my feet, my fear and adrenaline surging to the fore again. I knew this motherfucker was arrogant, but to walk through my front door? Absolutely not. I charge through the bedroom door, gun raised?—

And nearly shoot Luke in the face.

He ducks. “Holy fuck, Ruby!”

“Sorry! Damn it, I’m sorry.” I take the time to unload the gun and set it on the kitchen counter. “You startled me. I thought you wouldn’t be home until later.” It’s not really the truth, but it’s the best I can come up with on the fly.

“I wrapped the job up early.” He approaches me cautiously and presses a kiss to my temple. “Is everything okay? You seem tense. I didn’t even know youhada gun in the apartment.”

“You know how my parents are. Overprotective and all. But it’s just work stress.” I don’t exactly mean to lie, but if I tell him someone is bothering me, then I might have to admit what started it and... Fuck, Michelle is right. What are we doing? I cheated on Luke, and I don’t even feel bad about it. I’m entertaining a fucking stalker because it makes me feel more alive than dating Luke does these days. “Luke... this isn’t working.”

To his credit, he doesn’t seem surprised by me blurting out that statement. He gives me a sad smile. “No, it’s really not, is it?”

“I’m sorry. I love you, but?—”

“It’s not like it was.” He drags his hand through his thick dark hair. “Wearen’t like we were.”

“No.”

His expression is devastatingly sober. “I don’t want to fight, Ruby. I love you, too, but I don’t know how to fix us either. Not like we’ve been going.”

My chest feels tight, but there’s too much relief to get this train off the tracks. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you keep saying that. Me too.” He sighs. “I’m going to need some time to find another place. I guess I can sleep on the couch...”

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