Page 198 of Ruin My Life
And it barely scratches the surface.
I build a file. Compress it. Encrypt it. Archive it in three separate locations.
Phase one:complete.
Phase two... is going to be trickier.
I reach into my back pocket and pull out my phone. I scroll through my messages until I land on the one number I never saved—the one that started all of this.
Lola.
I stare at it for a beat. Then I hit call, half expecting it to go straight to voicemail.
She’s probably burned through a dozen phones since then. I’m betting on instinct and pure luck that this one’s still active.
The line connects.
There’s no greeting. Just static.
I take a breath.
“This is The Black Rose.”
A low chuckle echoes across the line.
“Well, this is a surprise,” she says, her voice silk-draped in smoke. “To what do I owe the honour, illustriousBlack Rose?”
“I need a favour. Two, actually. And I need them complete by tomorrow morning.”
“Mmm. You know my fee is steep, even for old acquaintances.”
“I know,” I say evenly. “Hear me out, then name your price.”
There’s a pause, then a click as she switches to speaker.
“Go on.”
I outline my plan. Every detail. Every condition. Every risk.
She laughs halfway through. A low, amused sound like she can’t decide if I’m brilliant or insane. Maybe it’s both.
But when I finish, she doesn’t hesitate.
“Fine,” she purrs. “Consider it done.”
I let out a slow breath.
My fingers tremble, but I close the laptop and slide it back into the bag.
Phase two:in motion.
Now comes phase three…
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Damon
THE SUN RISES LIKE ANY OTHER MORNING INKINGS.
