Page 19 of Mountain Protector

“Hungry?” I ask, opening the refrigerator.

“I guess.” Ruby sounds distracted as she arranges Spike’s terrarium to her satisfaction. “I haven’t really thought about food.”

I pull out ingredients for a simple pasta dish. As I work, I watch Ruby finish setting up Spike’s home and release the small lizard into it. She smiles slightly as the creature immediately goes to bask under his heat lamp.

“He adapts quickly,” she says, turning toward me.

“Good survival instinct.” I slide a cutting board of chopped vegetables into a pan. “Not all creatures are so adaptable.”

Ruby moves to the island, taking a seat on one of the barstools.

“I’m sorry about earlier. At the apartment. I just... wasn’t expecting that.”

“No one expects their space to be violated like that.” The protective anger I’ve been suppressing flares again. “We’ll file a police report tomorrow. And I’ll have the security company I work with install better locks and cameras at your place.”

“You think I’ll be able to go back there?” She sounds doubtful.

I look up from the stove, meeting her eyes. “Eventually. When we deal with Holloway.”

“My dad didn’t tell me much about him. Just that he was an old business associate who held a grudge.”

“He’s more than that.” I pour wine into two glasses, sliding one toward her. “Vincent Holloway is a sociopath who blames your father for his downfall. Your father’s testimony put him away for fifteen years. He escaped three weeks ago.”

Ruby takes a long sip of wine. “And he’s coming after my dad through me.”

I nod, turning back to the stove. “It’s a common tactic. Hurt the people someone loves to cause maximum pain.”

“That’s why my dad hired you.”

I plate the pasta, adding freshly grated parmesan. “Your father is worried, Ruby. With good reason.”

I set our plates on the dining table, where the firelight casts a warm glow across the polished wood. Ruby takes the seat across from me, the flames reflecting in her eyes as she twirls pasta around her fork.

“So,” I say, watching her take her first bite. “Tell me about your family. Your father mentioned you two had a... complicated relationship.”

Ruby’s expression shifts, a slight hardening around her eyes. “That’s one way to put it.”

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

She takes another sip of wine, considering. “No, it’s fine. It’s not exactly a secret.” She sets her glass down. “My dad had my entire life planned out from the moment I was born. Private schools, Ivy League education, law school, joining his firm. The Wilson family legacy.”

“But you had other ideas,” I prompt.

“I’ve always been artistic. Drawing, painting. It’s the only thing that ever made sense to me.” A small smile plays at her lips. “I majored in fine arts instead of pre-law. That was our first big fight.”

“I’m guessing it wasn’t the last.”

Ruby laughs, the sound warming something in my chest.

“Not even close. When I told them I was dropping out of college to apprentice at a tattoo shop, my dad threatened to cut me off completely.”

“And did he?”

“Not at first. He thought I’d ‘come to my senses’ after a few months of ‘playing artist.’” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “When he realized I was serious, that’s when the ultimatum came. Law school or no financial support.”

I watch her face as she speaks, the determination in her eyes, the slight lift of her chin. This woman chose her passion over security, her independence over her family’s wealth. The realization makes her even more attractive to me.

“So what did you do?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

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