If he only knew. “I love him.”
“You loved Daniel.”
“Not like this.”
“And what isthis?”
“It’s mad love. The kind that makes no sense. The kind that is bigger than anything I’ve ever experienced. The kind that ensnares your soul and never lets go.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
I nod slowly. “It’s…necessary.” I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to tell Oscar Stone that his Ruby lives and dies by the hands of one man that’s not him.
“We need to talk.” I feel the mood shift. We’re no longer talking about Theo.Nellie.
It only takes two seconds of looking into his eyes to know. “You knew.”
“It was an accident.”
“Oh my god…” I shake my head. “She told you before today?”
“She’s catholic, Ruby. Did you know that? It’s been years since she’s been to confession. I think she was dying to shareeverything.”
I refuse to look at him. “Then you know if you cheat on her, she will try to kill you.”
“Ruby …”
On a heavy sigh, I look at him with a slight wince as the pain from my surgery makes a claim for my attention. “I don’t blame her. Not for any of it. You know that’s not me. But… it’s not just about her.”
“Theo.”
I nod. “This has consumed his life.”And it nearly took mine.“I can’t know what happened and not tell him. It would ruin us.”
“You want her to turn herself in.”
I close my eyes.
“You’re in pain. We don’t have to talk about this now.” He takes my hand. “You are my priority. Always.”
“But you have feelings for her. I can tell and they’re not like anything you’ve had for other women.” He went to prison for me—for Daniel. Communal underwear. Oscar would do anything for me. My mother died thirty years ago. He’s been in prison for a decade. I’m torn between two men who I love so damn much.
“You’remy priority,” he whispers before pressing a kiss to my head. “Now, get some rest. I’ll have the nurse come in and make sure you have what you need for the pain. We’ll be back later.”
CHAPTER FORTY
My name is Scarlet Stone, and I don’t like indecisiveness. I make a decision and stick with it. Consequences be damned.
In the middleof the night, a half-stifled cry jerks my body from sleep. “Help…” It takes a few labored breaths to realize the agonizing plea is mine. I broke a couple of bones. They repaired my ankle with some pins and a metal plate. I’m on pain medication. Why does it still hurt like a motherfucker, making me nauseous with its throbbing intensity?
Theo jumps from the chair and runs out the door, returning with a nurse. He stayed. For a brief moment that realization is its own analgesic.
The nurse increases my pain medication. “This should help you sleep again.” She smiles. Why is she smiling? I want to punch it straight off her face. Clearly the pain has me a little on edge.
When she leaves, I turn my attention to Theo, trying to hide my grimace. “You stayed.”
He leans down and rests his cheek on my hand for a few seconds before brushing his beard back and forth across it several times. Then he presses his lips to it, letting them linger—easing my pain. “You’re mine. Where else would I be?”
I think my dad is falling in love with the woman who killed your mum.My heart claims some of the pain. I’m not sure the meds will ease that.
