Page 42 of Freeing Ruby

I walk over to the window and peer outside. “Shit. That’s my car.”

A couple of angry shouts from our neighbors adds to the din.

Ruby follows me to the living room and watches as I slip on my sneakers and a T-shirt, strap on my chest holster, and grab my key fob.

“You’re not going out there, are you?” she asks. “Can’t you turn the alarm off remotely?”

“Yeah, but I need to check on my car. Don’t worry, I won’t be gone long. Come lock the door behind me.”

Ruby follows me to the door and lets me out.

I race down the stairs and to the back door and step out into the chilly night air. Sure enough, my headlights are flashing, and my car siren is shrieking. Something in my gut tells me this isn’t a random event. I just hope they didn’t break my windows.

“Shut that damn thing off!” a man yells out a ground floor apartment window.

I wave at him. “Sorry! I’m on it.” I turn off the alarm, give my car a once over, and relock it. I don’t see any damage. I think someone just bumped it.

Now that my headlights are off, I realize how dark it is back here. I glance up and notice none of the streetlights are working. It looks like someone busted out the bulbs. Oh, shit. This isn’t good.

A moment later, someone rams his shoulder into my abdomen and sends me crashing onto the pavement. I gasp, struggling to catch my breath, as the air’s knocked out of me.

A chunky black boot comes at my face, and I throw up my arm to deflect the blow. Then there are two of them kicking me, aiming for my head. I roll to my belly and strain to get up onto my knees, using my arms to shield my head and face. One of them just misses kicking me in the mouth.

I finally succeed in getting to my feet. I swing for the one wearing sneakers and clip his jaw, sending him onto his ass. Then I turn to fend off a hit from the other guy, who attempts a roundhouse kick. I grab his boot and twist, sending him to the pavement as well.

When I turn back, Sneakers is long gone, leaving me with just one assailant. Boots is back up on his feet, ready for another go-around. He manages to land a punch high up on my cheek bone before I punch him square in the jaw. He staggers, catching himself on the hood of a car.

I can tell he’s debating whether or not to take another run at me, but apparently he thinks better of it. He turns and runs farther into the darkened parking lot. I take a minute to catch my breath as my lungs billow for air. I feel the warmth of blood tricking down my cheek and my chin. Damn it. Ruby’s not going to like this.

I’m starting to feel like someone doesn’t want me here. But who?

My money’s on Ruby’s jealous neighbor. He’s got the advantage of proximity, and I have no doubt that he’s got a romantic interest in Ruby. I imagine he resents me moving in on his territory—literally.

I head back into the building and walk up the stairs. When I step back inside the apartment and Ruby gets a good look at my face, she gasps. “Oh, my god! Your face! What happened?”

I give her a wry smile. “I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I said I tripped.”

She frowns. “Hardly. Who did this to you?”

I shrug. “It was too dark to see their faces. I’d guess two hired thugs. They weren’t even good fighters.”

We’re both surprised to hear a knock at this hour. I look through the peephole to see Rick standing outside Ruby’s door, a scowl on his face. “It’s Rick.” He knocks again, loudly, so I unlock the door and open it. “Yes?”

Rick pushes his way into the apartment. “What the hell was that noise outside?” He glares at me. “What the hell happened to your face?” Without waiting for a response, he turns his attention to Ruby. “Why’s this guy still here?”

Ruby swallows hard. “He’s a friend.”

“I’m just visiting,” I say. I don’t like the way he’s talking to Ruby, like she’s done something wrong.

“The lease specifically states that you can’t have long-term visitors,” Rick says.

“He’s only been here a few days,” she says.

Rick turns his attention back to me. “Look, I don’t put up with bullshit in my building. No boyfriends moving in, no roommates who aren’t on the lease. I don’t know what you’re up to, but whatever it is, you can just stop. I want you out of here by morning, you got that?”

Ruby eyes me warily, clearly intimidated by this guy.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say. “I’m Ruby’s guest, and I’ll stay as long as she wants me to. Do you have these rules written into the lease?”

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