“I was sitting in a cell for a heart that belonged to my Ruby’s love. I was there so you could have a true forever.”
Oh the guilt …
“So you can imagine my surprise anddisappointmentwhen Daniel told me you left him.”
My name is Scarlet Stone, and one day I will break away from the shadows of the man who raised me. Until then—I will make him proud.
My gaze finds the floor between us as I try to let go of the guilt as fast as he dishes it out. “The person who died because they didn’t get that heart did not deserve to die. But Daniel is a good man, and he didn’t deserve to die either. It doesn’t matterwhether we’re together or not, he belongs on this earth. And I will always love him.”
“But you’ve found another?”
I nod.
“When do I get to meet him? When do I get to meet the man who took you away from Daniel… away from me?”
“Don’t…” I close my eyes. “Don’t do this.”
He leans forward, my bargain chair squeaking beneath him as he rests his forearms on his knees. “I’m not doing anything, Ruby, but watching out for what’s mine.”
“Well, I don’t need you to watch out for me anymore.”
He chuckles, twisting his neck to one side and then the other. “From the looks of this place, I’d say you need a lot.”
“I’m paying rent—legally. I have a legit job that pays my bills. I have a bed…”
He glances over his shoulder into the bedroom. Then he returns a narrow-eyed expression.
I shrug. “It’s much more comfortable than it looks.” It’s really not.
“So you’re straight now?”
“Yes.” Okay, there was the first-class upgrade and minor pickpocket incident… but other than that…
Oscar nods slowly, studying me like he always does.
“Can I give you a lift to the airport?”
He smirks, eyeing my bike in the corner of the room. “Well, I don’t know, Ruby. Can you?”
Bugger!
I sigh, clenching my teeth to hide my pout. “It was code for you’re not staying here. And if you must know, no, I can’t give you a lift to the airport. However, I know without a doubt that you have enough cash on you to buy a car to drive yourself there or call a taxi.”
“I do. But, since I’m not leaving right away, I’m going to have to use some of it to buy my ownmattressand…” he smirks “…a matching folding chair to put next to yours. Maybe even a TV—”
“No.” I shake my head. “No TVs. No electronics.” I nod to the phone hanging from the wall in the kitchen. “That’s it.”
He twists his lips and crosses his arms over his chest. “Fine. Now… when do I get to meet this new bloke?”
“You don’t.” I dump my handbag on the ground and sulk into the kitchen for a glass of water. “He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Oscar leans up against the fridge.
I turn, taking several long gulps, buying a few extra seconds to gain my composure. “Yes. He had to leave.”
“I see. When will he return?”
I shrug.
