Page 38 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

“I’m okay,” I say, my voice steady but quiet.

I look over to David, feeling Layton’s intense gaze on me. “My sister gave it to me,” I say with a shrug and leave it at that.

He knows there’s more. It’s obvious from my meltdown, but he nods and drops it.

He leans over the bar and hands me a shot of tequila, which I take gratefully and down in one gulp.

“Well, I should get back to work,” David says, which is apparently Layton’s cue to also leave to go home. I give them both a bright smile, but when I turn back to Declan, I crumple.

“How do you know?” I ask, falling against him, feeling his arms go around me and hold me tightly, giving me comfort.

“I know everything about you, Ruby. You don’t ever have to be afraid of your darkness with me. I understand it.”

I nod silently and inhale deeply.

When I exhale, I’m strong again.

I’m about to brush this whole thing back under the mental mat where it belongs, when David comes rushing back into the casino.

“Jake’s got Ramsey!” he shouts down to us from the top of the stairs.

The blood drains from my face as the words sink in and then the black fog drops over me again.

No onehurts those I care about and lives.

It’s time to end this.

---