Her stomach dropped at the way that he was looking at her. She knew that he wasn’t going to leave well enough alone, and having to deny his accusations all night wasn’t on her to-do list. And yet there he was, calm as sin, watching her like she was his business instead of dangerous ground that he needed to avoid.
Rebel saw her first. Her gaze softened for half a heartbeat—then hardened again, as she crossed the room to where Ruby stood. She grabbed Ruby’s hand and tugged her over to the pool table, where Ant was standing. She felt sick knowing that her friend was going to stir the pot. All Ruby wanted to do was hide away until this was all over.
“You wanna tell me why a fed-adjacent asshole is asking questions about my doctor?” Rebel said more to Ant than to Ruby.
Ruby’s throat went dry. “He?—”
Ant spoke over her. “I just want five minutes to talk to Ruby. That’s all.” He didn’t answer her question, and Ruby wondered if Rebel would let that stand.
Banshee joined them, and Ruby groaned out loud, drawing all their attention. “What the hell is going on here?” Banshee asked.
“Hey Prez, I was just telling Rebel that I need a few minutes to talk to Ruby,” Ant repeated.
Ruby flinched at the word Prez. He’d done his homework. Was he checking up on all the Harlots now because he wanted more information about her?
Banshee didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t have to. “You got thirty seconds before I decide you’re a problem and have one of the guys remove you from the club.”
Ant straightened slightly but was smart enough not to make a move towards them. “I’m not here to cause trouble. If I wanted to cause Ruby trouble, I already know enough to make that happen.” He looked directly at her, and she wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. “Your secret is safe with me,” he promised.
Every nerve in Ruby’s body screamed at her to call bullshit, but she wanted to hear him out. “Go on,” Ruby prompted.
“I’ve done some checking into you, and you’re clean. You don’t have a record, and if all you’re doing is dancing at the club downtown, well, who am I to cause you any trouble then?” he asked. Ruby’s chest tightened.
Ruby’s mouth curved into something sharp. “Well, that’s a funny way of trying to reassure me, Ant,” she drawled. “I’m supposed to feel better that you checked up on me and ran a background check to make sure that I was clean. That’s an invasion of my privacy.”
Ant nodded once. “I’m trying to tell you that I know about Velvet House, and I won’t tell anyone else your secret.”
The room felt as though it went dead quiet around them. She looked at Banshee and then at Rebel. “Well, shit,” Rebel said under her breath.
“You just fucking told Rebel about Ruby’s secret, asshole. So, tell Ruby again how you are going to keep her secret,” Banshee breathed. She was practically in his face, and Ruby had to hand it to the guy; he stood his ground, even against a force like Banshee.
Ruby’s vision tunneled. She felt exposed, almost like the walls had peeled away and left her standing under stage lights again, naked in every way that mattered. Rebel didn’t look at her right away. She kept her eyes on Ant. “You are telling me something I already know,” Rebel said.
Ruby’s breath caught. “You know about me dancing?” she whispered. Rebel took her hand into her own and squeezed it.
Rebel finally turned to her, her voice calm. “You think I didn’t wonder how a broke kid paid for med school without selling her soul? Plus, Bolt told me that Ant had been asking questions about you. When I asked what kind of questions, well, I put two and two together. What I can’t understand is why you didn’t feel like you could tell me. I mean, I’ve told all of you that I was a stripper while raising Jace. Hell, I did so much worse than just stripping to put food on the table for my little brother, but that’s not anyone’s business but mine and the Harlots,” she said, staring Ant down.
Ruby wasn’t sure if it was relief or worry that had her knees nearly giving out. Banshee wrapped an arm around her as though noticing how she was feeling. “You never asked,” Ruby whispered. “I didn’t want anyone to know, but I would have been straight up with you if you had asked me.” She hoped that Rebel believed her because she’d never lie to any of her Harlot sisters.
Rebel shrugged. “I didn’t need to ask you about it. What you do to take care of yourself is your business. I just want you toknow that you can always come to us, and we can help you, Ruby.”
“I’ve already told her that much, but our girl is stubborn. She won’t accept help paying off her student loans,” Banshee said.
Ant watched the exchange closely. “I’m not here to expose her. I’m here to make sure nobody else does.”
Ruby stared at him. “You don’t get to play hero. I don’t need your help, Ant. I told you from the beginning to just mind your business.”
“I’m not playing the hero,” he said quietly. “I’m just trying to help.”
Banshee took one step forward, and the air felt as though it shifted. “Then let’s get something straight. Ruby is under my protection. She’s got the Harlots’ and Bastards’ full protection. Whatever skeletons she has in her closet stay buried, and you keep your mouth shut.”
Ant met her gaze. “I agree.”
“Then why are you here?” Ruby demanded. Her voice shook—but she didn’t back down. “Why push me for answers? Why ask about Valentine’s Day? Why look at me like you’re waiting for me to confess my deepest, darkest secrets to you?”
Ant’s jaw flexed. “Because I don’t like secrets that can get people hurt.”
Rebel snorted. “Bullshit. You’re here because you’re curious about Ruby. You didn’t like that she lied to you, and you couldn’t help but prove you were right.”
