Page 89 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

ChapterForty-Six

Ramsey

Stalling outside my apartment building, I tell myself it’s because I’m making sure that no one suspicious enters. Although I do realize that if anyone was lying in wait for me, they would already be inside. It’s not that I'm afraid of being abducted again. I’m more afraid of what Ruby will do if I am.

Huffing out a breath, in the cold late morning air, I take a step towards the road and cross it quickly, entering my building and heading for the stairs.

I take them slowly now, keeping my breathing steady. I feel around to my back where I stashed the handgun I stole from Ruby early this morning. I have never fired a gun before and never thought I would. They have been banned in this country since 1997, which is most of my life. I was only six when they were recalled and so never even thought about it really. Being involved with Ruby, and her underworld dealings changes the game though in a big way.

Layton would know how to use this. He was army trained. SAS, even. But I’m not fucking asking him to show me. I’ll learn by doing if I ever have to. But there is no way I’m giving this back to Ruby. She can try to protect me all she likes by keeping me sidelined, but the other day just proved that I can’t be protected. Not that I want to be. I’m supposed to protect her.

I jump a mile when my phone rings and the echo around the stairwell spooks me. “Fuck’s sake,” I mutter and pull my phone out of my pocket.

Ruby.

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound casual and not like my heart is about to burst through my chest.

“Why haven’t you gone inside yet?” she asks to my surprise.

“You spying on me?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Not exactly. I have little birds all over the city. One happened to mention that you have only just gone into your building. Your apartment is clear. You can go inside.”

I scowl at the stairs, feeling like an absolute idiot. “It’s not…”

“I know,” she says, understanding in her voice. “But I’ll want that gun back, you know. It’s an illegally obtained weapon and you will get into such shit if you are found with it in your possession.”

“Like you won’t?” I retort.

“Of course. But I’m not stupid enough to carry it with me unless I have to.”

“Neither will I,” I lie.

“Ramsey,” she sighs. “I want it back. If you insist on carrying a weapon, go buy a hunting knife or something.”

I know she doesn’t mean to sound like I’m some arsehole in need of supervision, but it sure feels that way right now.

“No,” I say defiantly. “I’m not being the dick who sits around waiting to get abducted while you are running around out there with these dangerous fuckers everywhere you turn.”

“I can handle myself,” she says. “Besides, I’m going to show those dangerous fuckers that they’re messing with the wrong woman.”

“What does that mean?” I ask slowly, worry flooding my bones. She is going to do something stupid; I just know it.

“Doesn’t matter,” she clips out. “Now go inside, put the gun in the drawer of the table next to your door and go to sleep.”

I growl my response, but she has already hung up. I grip my phone and shake it in anger. Not at Ruby exactly, but for her being so cavalier about her own safety, and I’m willing to bet that she hasn’t told any of the other men about it either.

I quickly dial Layton, taking on faith that I can enter my apartment without anyone jumping out at me and slam the door shut behind me. I pull the gun out and test the weight in my hand while I wait for him to answer. When he does, it’s clear he is driving and has put me on speaker.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“Ruby,” I grit out. “Can you do something about her?”

He lets out a loud laugh. “Like what exactly?”

“I dunno. Exert some of that control you have over her.”

“Ah, dear boy,” he says. “There is a time and a place for that, and her everyday life isn’t it. What’s she done?”

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