Page 84 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

Her gaze flicks to mine, a simmering anger now filling those pools of green delight. “Oh?” she bites out.

I turn and give the other four men a look that would kill.

“Why the daggers?” she asks. “What don’t you want to tell me? And why you again? These four a bunch of pussys?”

The splutter of indignation makes me laugh. She gives me a smirk, which is in total contrast to the state she woke up from.

“Yes,” I state firmly. “They are. Look, Rubes. I’m just going to come out and say this. Connor is on his way to England, and we need a decision on what we’re going to do about him.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Uhm. Why what?”

“Why has he gone to England?” She shoots her gaze over to Cillian.

“Remember Tadgh?” he asks her.

She nods slowly. “Well, he still has his in. He rang and said Connor is on his way to Manchester to take your operation. He is hoping to draw you out.”

“Jesus,” she mutters. “We can’t go back…I’m in serious shit.”

“Not anymore,” I reassure her before David can and apparently steal this thunder.

“Hey!” he spits out. “My news. Not yours.”

“You tasked me to tell Ruby the news, without my consent. I get to take credit for whatever the fuck I want…”

“Boys, stop,” she says, holding her hand to her head. “Cillian. Do you still trust Tadgh?”

“Yeah. He’s got my back.”

“So, we go. Simple,” she says.

“And?” Declan asks quietly.

“We go to war,” she says absently, climbing out of bed, dragging the sheet with her to wrap around herself. She silently picks up her handbag and digs through it until she pulls out her purse. She opens it and has a poke through. We all watch as she removes a twenty Pound note and hands it to Declan.

“It’s all I’ve got. Will it do for a deposit?” she asks.

“For what?” he asks, his tone icy.

“To take out Connor O’Leary before he can ruin everything I’ve worked for and potentially kill me first,” she says matter-of-factly.

“We agreed Cillian would be the one to take out the hit,” Layton says carefully.

“I didn’t agree to anything,” she says. “And why should he get the glory? My business, my life, my decision.”

Declan snatches it out of her hand and my mouth goes dry.

“It’ll do,” he says. “But I expect the rest of my fee before I execute.”

Eyes wide, I glare at him. “What the fuck, man?” I ask.

“Agreed,” she says. “How much is it?” she adds, scrunching up her nose.

“Hundred kay,” he says. “Although, it should be said, that is discounted. Mate’s rates.”

“Fuck you,” she says, shaking her head with a smile. “You know I’m good for the full amount.”

---