Page 158 of Tangled In Lies

It feels like the walls are shifting closer, and the desire to puke all over him is almost too strong to resist.

“Well, I’m going to leave you ladies to it.” He trains his gaze on Ruby. “I’ll be back to check on you guys. You know the rules. Don’t disappoint me.”

She nods, and he pats her head. Ruby closes her eyes and shudders in response. Her hair shifts to the side with the movement, revealing a split lip and the beginning of a bruise forming on her cheek. I press my lips together to keep from gasping out loud. He put his hands on her.

What I wouldn’t give to push Tyler away from her, to slap him, or to force him to feel even a fraction of the pain and chaos he’s caused in the last few years. To make him pay.

No, that wouldn’t be enough. I want him dead. I’ve never wanted to kill anyone in my life, not even hit them. But Tyler? My Freddy? Ineedhim dead. I have to know he’ll never be able to hurt another soul ever again.

He leaves the room with a wave, and the door lock clicks from the outside.

I frown at Ruby, opening my mouth to say something, but she shakes her head and points around the room.

Cameras.

I spot three at first glance, but who knows how many more there are?

This fuckingasshole.

I nod to tell her I understand and take several deep breaths, trying to calm down as much as possible now that Tyler isn’t around. I need to use this time wisely, get as much info out of Ruby as possible. Maybe she has an idea. Maybe we can figure out together how to get out of here.

“Let’s get you cleaned up. The bathroom is over here.” She points at the door on the side of the room.

Ruby leads me to the bathroom where she disappears behind a stone partition in the back. My hands grow sweaty, and I wipe my damp palms on my leggings when the shower turns on.

A shower. Only a shower.

Ruby comes back and hands me a toothbrush.

I stare at it, and Ruby says, “It’s new.”

“I’m sorry.” The apology flies from my lips, but Ruby shakes her head.

“Youhave nothing to apologize for.”

I want to say, “Oh, but I do. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this mess,” but I’ll save that conversation for another day.

Telling her I’ve been a shitty friend for the last few years, and that I’ve been keeping a million secrets from her, won’t do me any good right now. Especially since I still don’t even know what’s going on.

I shove the toothbrush into my mouth and try to get a handle on my emotions.

After seeing the camera lineup in the bedroom, there may be more in the bathroom.

Ruby and I stare at each other as foam builds in my mouth.

Her throat moves on a swallow. “After your shower, I’llhelp you with your makeup, hair, and dress. I also have some water and food for you in the bedroom. We have three hours.”

I lean over the sink to spit out my toothpaste and rinse my mouth.

Ruby hands me a hand towel. “There’s a small toilet room in the back, opposite the shower.” She flinches. “Sorry, I probably should have told you that first.”

“No worries.” I put the towel down and take care of business before returning to Ruby.

A silent exchange occurs between us, and I take off my clothes, drop them on the floor, and step into the shower.

Yes, it’s a bit weird, but being naked in front of Ruby right now is the least of my problems.

Once my hair is wet, I grab the shampoo bottle, but Ruby beats me to it. “Turn around. Let me do it.”

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