Page 76 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

ChapterThirty-Three

Ruby

After we have settled into the safehouse, a few miles down the road from Siobhan’s, I find myself alone and in desperate need of it. I’ve been given the master bedroom in this cottage, which is furnished quite lavishly for something that may never get used. Not that I’m complaining. I like lavish things.

The time has come for some things to be done. I reach for the hem of my tee and pull it over my head. I drop it on the armchair and toe off my sneakers before I take off my sweats. I pull the soft, stretchy bra over my head and discard my panties. Naked, I walk into the en-suite bathroom and close the door quietly. Inhaling deeply, I turn to the mirror and look at myself properly for the first time since before I was taken.

I blink and run my fingertips over the very faint scar across my throat. This is the first time I’ve looked at it, let alone touched it. I swallow and lower my hand quickly.

Breathing deeply, I then press my fingertips to the scar on my stomach before I drop my eyes to look at it. It is all healed up, but still tender and pink. I prod it carefully, but it doesn’t make me flinch as I suspected it would. Michelle did a good job of patching me up, and Declan removed the bandage when it was time. I drop my hand lower to the bullet graze scar on my thigh, feeling that. Getting to know it.

I unzip my toiletry bag, which is waiting for me on the counter. I pull out the tube of sensitive hair remover and set to work on the bush that has sprouted between my legs over the last month. It has been a long, long time since I had pubic hair and I don’t like it. I leave the cream to set and then grab the tweezers. I lean forward and start plucking my eyebrows into some order, wondering how in the hell these men still love me. I am a mess. Emotionally, physically, mentally. Christ.

Once my eyebrows are done, I reach in the bag for a claw clip and twirl my hair up, securing it tightly and then set about shaving my armpits.

Once the time is up on the hair remover, I scrape it off and grimace, then grab the waxing strips to finish it off.

I brace myself for the pain, but it’s actually not that bad anymore. Once you’ve been stabbed in the gut, you redefine your pain threshold by a lot.

Happy with the job I’ve done, but left with no doubt that a professional needs to get down there really soon, I turn towards the shower and turn the taps on. Grabbing the razor, I lather up my legs and shave away the stubble before I climb in fully and carefully wash every inch of myself, except my hair.

This methodical, almost ritualistic cleansing soothes my nerves and when I step out of the shower, I feel more at ease. I apply a thin layer of softly scented body lotion on my arms and legs and across my stomach before I face myself again.

“Better, Rubes. Much, much better.”

I unclip my hair and watch as it tumbles down around my shoulders. I brush it out and then draw in a deep breath.

I’m ready.

I push open the bathroom door and check the clock. Layton said he would come and check on me in forty-five minutes and time is up.

I arrange myself on the bed as there is a soft knock at the bedroom door.

My stomach twists into a knot.

I’m ready.

“Come in,” I call out softly and the door opens.

“Everything okay? Oh, fuck, oh, I…uhm…” he stammers when he sees me naked on the bed and turns around to leave.

“Wait,” I say, stopping him. “Look at me.”

He pauses, his back turned towards me. He is the size of the doorway, dressed in a tight black t-shirt and black combat pants. He is sexy as fuck. I focus on that and not on anything else. He slowly turns, those bright blue eyes of his, sweeping over me before he meets my eyes.

Yes.

I breathe out in relief. It’s working. His gaze on me, so full of lust and longing is exactly what I needed to see.

“Get the others,” I whisper. “Please.”

“Ruby…”

“Please, Layton. I know what I’m doing.”

And I do.

After abstaining for a couple of years last time, I finally figured I was ready to get back on the horse, so to speak. It was fine. Derek was capable and he didn’t make me feel threatened in any way. I didn’t love him, but I was ready.

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