Page 87 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

ChapterForty-Five

Layton

Ihaven’t been back in my apartment five minutes before there is a knock at the door. Suspiciously, I open it and glare at the arsehole on the other side.

“Boomer,” I state. “What do you want?”

“Information,” he says, looking shifty.

I don’t think that he means to, he just has resting shifty face.

“I don’t know what you’re looking for,” I say, exasperated. “There’s really not much to tell.”

“I told you that I want to know everything. If she masturbates, we want to know. So has she?”

“How the fuck am I supposed to know that?” I snap. “Look, all she’s done is go home and work.”

“And what has she done while she’s been at work?”

“Work stuff,” I retort.

“You’re being very belligerent for a man whose life I hold in my hands,” he chides me in a voice reserved for naughty kids.

I grit my teeth and try to be more amenable. “She spent time in the Widows casino and then she visited the other two sites. That’s all I know.”

“Do you know where she keeps certain things in the Widows casino?” he asks quietly.

“Like what?”

“Anything that isn’t legal,” he practically growls at me.

I’m pissing him off on purpose because I’m actually tired right now for the first time in years and I want him to go away so I can sleep. Being with Ruby has brought me such a sense of peace, I feel it’s possible to relax and not be on edge all the time.

“Nope,” I say. “I think we’re done here.”

I make a move to close the door, but he slaps his hand against it quickly.

“Nowhere near close to being done. Do you want to end up in jail?” he asks.

“At this point, I don’t care,” I grate. “Do whatever the fuck you want. We are completely done.”

I slam the door now in his face and take great pleasure in doing so. It occurred to me in the last few seconds that whatever happens next, Ruby can protect me. I know she will without hesitation and while I’d rather she didn’t have to, I know when I’m cornered. If Scott goes to the police, I’ll get done. There is no doubt about that, but she has connections. She can get me out. My only concern now is for Linda. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and dial quickly.

“H-hello?” she answers quietly.

“Lins, I need you to listen to me. I need you to pack a bag and wait for me. I’m taking you away somewhere safe for a while.”

“Wh-why?” she stammers.

Her voice is so weak, it makes me so angry. She used to be so full of life until her attack. It has destroyed her.

“Just do as I say,” I mutter, trying to keep a calm tone with her. “Please. Something has happened and I need to make sure you are safe.”

“What’s happened?” she whispers.

“It’s nothing to do with you, I swear. It’s my problem, but I need to know that you are out of danger. Can you just do as I ask, please and I’ll see you in an hour?”

“O-okay,” she says and hangs up.

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