Page 77 of Ruby Mercy

I want to. More than anything.

But when my phone buzzes again, Yuliana’s face appears in my mind. It’s like the lights flickering on in the middle of a movie, shattering the magic. Nothing matters more than checking who is calling.

“I’m sorry.” I pull my hand out and jump off the table to dig my phone out of my jeans. “I just have to see who it is and then—”

My heart stops. I answer the call and pace away from Kirill. “Hello?”

“Rayne? It’s Ms. Holliday.”

As if I don’t hear her voice in my nightmares.

I’m already halfway into my jeans when I ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Yuliana is okay,” she says, clearly trying to talk me down off the ledge I’m on. “She’s safe, but—She’s having a hard time. We’re trying to calm her down but—”

“I’ll be there soon.”

I hang up before she can say anything else. What else is there to say? My daughter needs me. I’m going.

“Who was that?”

At the sound of Kirill’s voice, I freeze. I was so focused on checking on Yuliana that I didn’t think about the fact he was in the room with me.

What did he hear?

What should I say?

“No one.” It’s a stupid lie, but I’m not exactly at the top of my game right now. I don’t even have my pants all the way on.

“I thought I warned you not to lie to me.”

I pull my loose jeans up and button them, still facing away from him. “It’s just something I have to deal with. Is it okay if I take off for the day?”

Even if he says it isn’t okay, I’ll quit on the spot. Nothing is keeping me from my daughter.

I smooth my expression out as quickly as I can, but Kirill sees it. He sees everything.

“It’s… something I need to take care of.” I wave him off. "I don't have time for this. I need to go."

“You can explain on the way. I’m coming with you.”

My eyes flare wide. “No!”

Kirill steps towards me and grabs my hand. My fingers tremble against his palm. “You’re shaking. I’m not letting you leave like this.”

“You can’t force me to stay,” I spit. “I have to go.”

He waves his hand towards the door. “Lead the way.”

I want to argue with him. Kirill coming along is the worst possible idea. But the harder I argue, the more he’ll want to come. Plus, I’m wasting time. The thought of Yuliana sitting in the school’s front office, crying and scared… My heart splinters.

I turn on my heel and jog for the door. Kirill is right behind me.

He said he’ll never let me go.

Looks like he meant it.

28

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