She's already moving, scrambling for her clothes with shaking hands. "Oh my God. Oh my God. He brought friends. He actually brought—"
"Breathe." I pull on my shirt, my mind racing through options. Six against one are shit odds, even for me. "I'm calling for backup."
I grab my phone and dial King. He answers on the second ring, his voice alert despite the early hour. "Chaos? What's wrong?"
"I need the brothers at my place. Now." I keep my voice low but urgent. "Ruby's ex showed up with five friends. They're all carrying bats and looking for a fight."
"On it." King's tone shifts immediately to command mode. "I'll call everyone available. We'll be there in fifteen minutes. Can you hold them off?"
"I'll make it work."
"Don't do anything stupid. Just keep them outside until we arrive."
"Copy that." I end the call and turn to Ruby, who's now dressed but still trembling. "King's calling the club. They'll be here in fifteen minutes. I just need to buy us time."
The pounding gets louder, more aggressive. "Ruby! I swear to God, if you don't open this door—"
A small voice cuts through the chaos. "Mama?"
We both turn to see Liam standing in the hallway, his stuffed rabbit clutched to his chest, his eyes wide with fear. He's wearing his dinosaur pajamas, his ginger hair sticking up in every direction.
"Baby, it's okay." Ruby rushes to him, scooping him up. "Everything's okay."
"Loud," Liam whimpers, burying his face against her neck.
"I know, baby. I know." She rocks him gently, but I can see the terror in her eyes.
"Ruby, take him to his bedroom," I say firmly. "Stay there with him. Lock the door. Don't come out until I tell you it's safe."
She shakes her head. "No way I'm letting you go out there alone. They have bats, Chaos. They could kill you."
"I'm not going out there. I'm just going to talk to them through the door. Buy time until the club arrives." I move toward her, cupping her face gently. "But I need you and Liam safe. Inside. Away from the windows."
"Ruby!" Marcus roars. "I'm giving you ten seconds or we're breaking this door down!"
"You're not going alone," Ruby insists, her jaw set in that stubborn line I'm starting to recognize. "I'll put Liam in his bedroom. He'll be safe there. But I'm staying with you."
"Ruby—"
"No." Her hazel eyes blaze with determination despite her fear. "You protected me yesterday. Now I'm standing with you. They're here because of me. I won't hide while you face them alone."
Part of me wants to argue. Wants to force her to stay hidden where she'll be safe. But I can see in her expression that she won't back down. And honestly? Having her beside me, having someone at my back, it means something.
"Okay," I agree. "But Liam goes to his room. Now."
She nods and carries Liam down the hallway. I can hear her murmuring soothing words to him, telling him it's just some loud people who are leaving soon, telling him to play with his toys and she'll be right back.
When she returns, her face is pale but resolved. She stands beside me as we face the front door together.
"Ten seconds are up, Ruby!" Marcus shouts. "We're coming in!"
Something heavy slams against the door. Once. Twice. The wood shudders but holds.
"They're trying to break it down," Ruby whispers.
"It'll hold." At least, I hope it will. The door looks old, but it's solid wood. "Just needs to hold for a few more minutes."
Another slam. The door frame cracks slightly.
