Page 59 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

I can’t help but wonder why he is so confident. Have they done this before? Shared a woman? This Siobhan, maybe?

“Do you plan on going back to work right away?” he asks, changing the subject.

“Yeah,” I say with a sigh. “I mean your mom is lovely and so generous, and she’s been a much-needed source of comfort, but I’m bored out of my skull. Is that okay with you?”

“What does it have to do with me?” he asks, perplexed.

“Everything. You and the other men. I’ll be going back into it all. I don’t want you to worry.”

“That is a given, Princess,” he says. “Even if this hadn’t happened, I’d be worried constantly about you. This world is dangerous and going back to Manchester to reclaim your place, especially now that Jake is gone and there are skirmishes to take over his place, I can’t not worry about you. But I won’t stop you. I know how much blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into your work. Just don’t ask me not to worry because that will never happen.”

His words have piqued my interest. I sit up and regard him closely. “You’re saying no one has taken over yet?”

He shakes his head. “Aidan is there, keeping an eye on the situation. He says it’s volatile, but as of yet, nothing has been decided.”

“Perfect,” I murmur.

“Ruby,” he says, also sitting up. “You aren’t thinking of going for it yourself, are you?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head and hoping he doesn’t see the small lie. “I’m just curious.”

“Ruby,” he warns me, telling me that he does know I’m hiding something.

“I don’t want it,” I state firmly, but neglect to tell him that I plan on backing Cillian for the job. Whatever trouble he is in, whoever it is won’t mess with an entire organization. Out on his own, Cillian is a sitting duck, but this way he will be protected. I haven’t thought it all the way through yet, and that’s why I don’t want to say anything. I was working on the assumption that I would have to oust another asshole from the head of the snake, but this is easier. Much, much easier.

It couldn’t be more perfect if I’d planned it. The factions will be so busy fighting each other, that they won’t even notice that Cillian has slid in until it’s too late.

I lie back down with a smile on my face and close my eyes.

This night has been hell to get through, but I got through it, and now I plan on taking back everything that is rightfully mine, and then some.

The city had better watch out.

The Black Widow is back.

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