Page 23 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

ChapterTwelve

Layton

Sipping the hot mug of hot chocolate, I stare out at the breaking of dawn over the city. It’s a wonderful view. One I have only learned to appreciate in the last ten minutes, despite living here for several months. Before, my apartment in the exclusive block at no. 1 Castlefield offered mere seclusion and isolation from the outside world. Now I see it as something else. A home of sorts. At the very least, somewhere other than a place to lay my head for the few hours that I can sleep at any one time. Being with Ruby last night was something of a revelation. Women have come and gone in my life. I’ve never wanted one to stick around for more than a couple of play sessions at best and relationships? What the fuck are they? I couldn’t even tell you, seeing as the last time I was in one, was seventeen years ago when I was seventeen years old, and it was more hormones than real feelings. I don’t think for a second, or dare to hope, that Ruby wants that from me. She knows what I can give her and that’s about the limit to it for her. But for me? Oh, I’m falling for her in a way that has slapped me around the head so fast and so hard, I betrayed my only real friend to be with her.

I sigh and turn from the floor-to-ceiling window as there is a knock at the door. Frowning at it, I approach with caution. Random people cannot just waltz into the building and start knocking on doors.

I open it, mug still in hand, ready to smash into someone’s skull if need be. As it turns out, it’s a slight, weasley-looking man, who goes by the name of Boomer. No idea why and I don’t care.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“I’m here on behalf of my employer,” he states in that really creepy monotone which gives away the fact that he is a massive psychopath.

“Okay,” I drawl. “What does he want?”

“To call in your debt,” he says.

The look I give him is definitely one of surprise. “Debt?” I ask. “And what would that be then, mate?”

“You owe him for paying off the man you nearly killed into not pressing charges,” he says.

“Oh, do I, now?” I growl, my mood going from dark to black in a split second. “That asshole had it coming, and Scott knows it.”

Boomer sniffs delicately, his expression one of boredom. “Regardless of circumstance, Scott is calling in his payment.”

“I don’t owe him anything,” I snarl, gripping my mug so tightly, I’m this close to smashing it in my fist, never mind this prick’s head.

“Word is you are now working for Ruby Bellingham,” he continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “Scott needs you to act as his eyes and ears.”

“Excuse me?” I spit out. “You want me to spy on her?”

“Scott does, yes.”

I grit my teeth. So much for there being no animosity between them. “Forget it. I’m not some grunt who does dirty work.”

I don’t tell him that I won’t betray Ruby, even if my life depended on it. He will use that against me and her and I won’t let that happen.

“How is your sister doing after her ordeal? Recovered from the trauma yet?” he asks, sticking the knife into my heart and twisting it all in one go.

“She’s fine,” I lie, trying not to kill this arsehole where he stands. Truth is, Linda is in a bad way, as is completely expected after what happened to her. I played it down to Ruby, so did Scott as we agreed upon. We had a deal that Scott would take care of the damage I caused that night if I disappeared for a while to let the dust settle. Seems the knobhead has started kicking it up again.

“Hmm,” Boomer murmurs. “So. Eyes and ears, or off to prison you go,” he adds, almost jovially.

“What does he want to know?” I ask, deciding to play along. I need to keep Ruby safe. Rather me pretending to spy on her than someone who will actually mean her harm.

“Everything,” Boomer says with a shrug. “If she blows her nose, he wants the tissue. Are we clear?”

“Very,” I grit out.

“Marvelous,” he says with a sinister grin. “Our employer will be very happy with this arrangement.”

I dislike how that went from my employer to our in one conversation, but the only thing that matters is keeping Ruby safe.

He hands me a cheap-looking mobile. “Keep in touch,” he states and turns to leave before looking back at me. “Don’t attempt a double-cross. You’ve heard what I can do to a person’s nervous system.”

I nod grimly. Oh, I’ve heard all right. As far as upper-level gang workers go, he is one of the most notoriously violent, bordering on sick. Where Scott found him is a mystery no one can solve.

I watch grimly as he walks away, feeling a chill settle on the back of my neck. I have to go to Ruby and inform her of this conversation. Together we can decide then what the fuck to do about it.

All of my guilt over what I did to Ramsey dissipating in the face of a bigger issue, I close the door, place my mug and the burner phone down and pull my mobile out of the back pocket of my jeans.

“Ramsey,” I say as soon as he picks up the phone with a very curt, “What?”

He knows I wouldn’t ring him right now unless there was something else to talk about except for Ruby. That conversation is over and done with.

“We’ve got trouble,” I say, straight to the point.

Instantly, his attitude changes. “Meet me at Widows in half an hour,” he says and hangs up.

I replace my mobile in my pocket and turn to the end table. Pulling out the small drawer, I grab the hunting knife and shove it in the back of my pants. I pride myself on not needing to carry a weapon, but the stakes just got raised and Ruby’s life is worth more than my ego.

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