Page 30 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

ChapterFourteen

Ruby

Imust’ve fallen asleep at some point, because I’m jostled awake by Layton picking me up carefully and cradling me.

“I’m awake,” I mumble.

“Stay where you are,” he murmurs.

I slump against him, but then realize that he is going to struggle to get me down the steps of the aircraft. I wiggle and say, “Put me down, I can walk.”

He reluctantly places me on my feet, and I walk unsteadily to the steps where I grip the handrail tightly. The freezing cold Dublin air hits my face, and it wakes me up completely. There is also a light drizzle that makes me glad that Layton put a pair of slip-on sneakers on my feet when he dressed me in casual, loose sweats, a long-sleeved tee and hoodie. I take the slippery steps one at a time, getting irritated that I’m like a toddler, ending up at the bottom in a pissed off mood.

I slide straight into the back of the car unaided, even though I want to scream with agony, and everyone just fits in around me.

The ride to Declan’s mom’s is glum, but when we get into the neighborhood and he pulls up outside a very large and charming home, my mood dissipates. I know that he has bought this for her with the wealth he has accumulated from killing people.

“Wow, nice,” I comment, and he chuckles, knowing I’ve sussed him out. He adores his mom and I love that about him.

It’s very late now when Declan grabs my bags from the trunk. I struggle out of the car and finally let Declan help me to the door. Layton takes the keys from Declan before stooping to give me a brief kiss. Ramsey and David do the same, not lingering, just in case.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I whisper, not liking that I have to send them away. It doesn’t seem fair, but asking a woman I have never met before to house all of my lovers under her roof is not something I could even contemplate doing. So here we are.

I wave them off and turn back to Declan. He unlocks the door and helps me over the threshold.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Just tired.”

He nods and points towards the stairs. Again, I do them one at a time, growling low with frustration, but soon I’m in a beautiful guest room that has been all laid out to perfection for me with fresh flowers, and my own kettle to make tea.

I smile. “She didn’t have to do all of this.”

“Please,” he scoffs. “This is nothing. I had to stop her from putting a Bendicks mint chocolate on your pillow.”

I glance over at the pillow. “That’s just mean,” I joke.

He snickers and drops my bags on the bed. “Do you want me to unpack them?”

I shake my head. “I’ll do it in the morning.” I sit and toe off my shoes as carefully as I can and then hoist myself further up the bed. “Hope you don’t mind if I just crash?” I can’t even be bothered to change. It’s too much like hard work.

“Of course not. I’ll be just down the hall if you need me.”

He bends to kiss my head as I give a sleepy yawn. I don’t even hear him leave.

* * *

Waking up startled the next morning, I can smell food and my stomach growls. I feel like I could eat a horse, and the jockey with it. I don’t even care that I’m still in my sweats from yesterday, I just swing my legs over the side of the bed, wince and stand up.

Stopping in at the bathroom, I make it to the stairs and take them one at a time, gripping the handrail.

“Day four, Rubes, day four,” I mutter and follow the aroma towards the kitchen where I find Declan and a very robust, gray-haired woman.

“Ah, you must be Ruby,” she says, as soon as she sees me.

Declan sidles over and takes my arm gently, guiding me towards the small round table in the huge kitchen. It’s all laid out with the best china and cutlery, and I feel bad she’s gone to so much trouble.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” I murmur, a bit shy. Why? Who the fuck knows? Maybe it’s those piercing blue eyes that are boring into my head.

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