I move to the window, careful to stay out of direct sight. Through the glass, I can see Marcus and his friends more clearly now. They're all around his age, mid-twenties, dressed in polo shirtsand khakis like they just came from some country club. Entitled pricks who've never faced real consequences for anything.
But they're armed. And angry. And dangerous.
"Marcus!" I shout through the door. "You really want to do this? Breaking and entering? Assault? You'll go to prison."
"Fuck you!" Marcus slams the bat against the door again. "You broke my fucking nose! You think I'm just going to let that slide?"
"You swung first. That was self-defense."
"Bullshit! My boys here saw you attack me unprovoked. Right, guys?"
A chorus of agreement from his friends. Of course they'll lie for him. That's what entitled pricks do. They back each other up no matter what.
"Ruby, come out here and tell your psycho boyfriend to stand down," one of the other guys calls. "We just want to talk."
"With baseball bats?" Ruby shouts back, her voice stronger than I expected. "You expect me to believe you just want to talk?"
"We're here to teach you both a lesson about respect," Marcus snarls. "You embarrassed me, Ruby. Made me look weak in front of your parents. Now everyone thinks I'm some deadbeat dad when you're the one who ran away with my kid!"
"Your kid?" Ruby's hands clench into fists. "You told me to get rid of him! You wanted me to abort him!"
"I was scared! I was young! I’ve told you all that!" Marcus's voice takes on that manipulative tone I heard yesterday. "But I've changed, baby. I want to be a father now. Just let me in so we can talk about this like adults."
"So you can beat me up?" Ruby shoots back. "So your friends can hold me down while you take my son? I'm not stupid, Marcus."
Another violent slam against the door. This time I hear wood splintering.
"Clock's ticking," I mutter, checking my phone. Twelve minutes since I called King. Three more minutes and the brothers should start arriving.
"Maybe we should call the police," Ruby whispers.
I shake my head. "Cops won't get here fast enough. And they'll ask questions about the club, about my record. Trust me, we handle this ourselves."
Ruby looks terrified but nods. She trusts me. Despite everything, despite knowing me for less than two days, she trusts me to keep her safe.
I won't let her down.
Marcus slams the bat against the door again, and this time I hear a distinct crack. The frame is giving way.
"Chaos..." Ruby's voice shakes.
"It's okay." I move to stand directly in front of the door, positioning myself between it and Ruby. "When they break through, you run to Liam's room. Lock the door. Don't come out no matter what you hear."
"But—"
"Ruby." I turn to look at her, letting her see the deadly seriousness in my eyes. "I've been in plenty of fights. I can handle this until backup arrives. But I need to know you and Liam are safe. Please."
She hesitates, then nods reluctantly. "Okay. But if you die, I'm going to kill you."
Despite everything, I smile. "Deal."
The door frame splinters further. Any second now, it's going to give completely. I crack my knuckles and roll my shoulders, preparing for the fight of my life, but I'm not worried.
I know my brothers. They won't let me down.
Chapter 10 - Ruby
The door explodes inward with a deafening crack.
