Page 57 of Theirs to Take

“I never said that you were crazy, Luke,” she said. “But you have to admit, this whole thing sounds a little bit off.”

“Well, that’s a lot nicer than saying that it sounds crazy,” Luke mumbled. “I know how bad this sounds, but I just need someplace to lay low while I try to figure out what’s going on,” he said. “Can you give me that?”

“I think that I can,” she agreed.

“I promise not to put you in any more danger than I already have,” Luke assured.

“I appreciate that, but I’m tougher than I look,” she promised. There was a knock at her door and Ruby started to stand. Luke pushed her back to the sofa and she looked at him like he’d lost his damn mind.

“I’ll get it,” he said. “Were you expecting anyone?”

“Um, yeah,” she said. “The Chinese takeout. Remember, I thought that you were our delivery guy when you showed up here?”

“Right,” he breathed. “Well, let’s not take any chances.” Luke pulled his gun from his shoulder holster and held it by his side, trying to keep it out of eyesight when he opened the door just a crack.

“Food delivery,” the guy said from the crack in the door.

“Thanks,” Luke said, taking the bag of food from him.

“I’ve already paid,” Ruby said. “And left a tip. Thank you,” she shouted to the delivery guy as Luke shut the door in his face. He walked back into the family room and handed her the bag of food and another soft knock sounded at her door.

“What now?” she grumbled. “I’m assuming you’ll want to get that too,” she said.

“Yep,” Luke agreed. He walked back over to the door, gun still in hand, and opened Ruby’s front door to find the same woman from earlier standing in her doorway.

“Hi,” the woman squeaked. “I’m Millie,” she reminded.

“Hi, Millie,” Luke said.

“I’ve come to grab my food,” Millie said.

“Sorry, Millie,” Ruby shouted. “Come on in.” Millie brazenly walked past Luke and smiled up at him as he holstered his weapon.

“Were you expecting someone else?” she asked, eyeing the gun.

“Don’t mind him,” Ruby said. “He’s having a bad day. Did I mention that Luke works in the security department at McTavish Industries?” Ruby asked.

Millie shrugged, “Probably, but I might not have been paying attention.” She waited for Ruby to unload her food from the bag and handed her the rest.

“Sorry about dinner again,” Ruby said. “I’ll make it up to you next week. You can choose the place.”

“Sounds good,” Millie agreed. “And no problem. I mean, if I had a better offer, I’d ditch me too.” Millie giggled at her own statement and waved over her shoulder at them both. “Talk soon, Ruby,” she said. “See you later, Luke.” He nodded to Ruby’s very odd friend and waited for her to leave the apartment before crossing the room to the front door and locking them back in.

“You need better security,” he mumbled, more to himself than to Ruby.

“Well, I’ve never had a need for more security,” Ruby admitted.

“I’ll make do with what you have in place,” he assured. “But I’d like to at least put a deadbolt on your front door. Is there another way out of here?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “Not unless you’re planning on going out the second-floor windows.”

“No, but we really can’t be too careful,” he insisted.

“Well, you should come sit down and eat while it’s still hot,” Ruby said.

“But that’s your food,” he said.

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she said. “I always order way too much food. I can’t possibly eat all of this myself, so come sit down next to me and eat.” He was starving, and honestly, the smell of the food was making his stomach growl. Ruby wavedher egg roll in front of him and he laughed—God, it felt good to laugh again.

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