ChapterThirty-Six
Ruby
Much, much later, after Declan sobered himself up with hot coffee and ice-cold water, and after we hit up my other two illegal gambling sites, we pull into my driveway back at home. Once we’ve entered the house, Declan hands me my phone out of his jacket pocket.
“You’d better ring her back,” he says and walks off to the kitchen to give me some privacy.
I grimace at the phone. Twenty missed calls and fuck knows how many texts. Unlocking it, I dial, and she answers on the first ring.
“Ruby?”
“Yeah, it’s me, this time,” I say with a sigh.
“What the hell is going on? How do you know Paddy?”
Paddy?
I smile to myself that at least he didn’t tell her his real name. That kind of makes me feel even better about this whole shitshow.
“He works for me,” I mutter, wondering how much he actually told her. Scarlet knows what I do, but does she know what he does? Probably not.
“Humph,” she says rudely. “Well, watch your back with that one. He is a fuck boy if I ever met one.”
My face falls into a frown. “Oh?” I croak out.
“Yeah, he was quite happy to talk and listen to me and take me back to my place to fuck me senseless, but then gone in the morning before I woke up without a note or another word. Asshole,” she grouses.
Fuck her senseless.
I inhale deeply and push it aside. It doesn’t matter. It’s water under the bridge. “Rex wanted me to know about you two, but I have to wonder why,” I say tightly. So far, her story matches up, but I need to hear more.
“Because he’s a dick,” she spits out. “Maybe he thought he would prey on you or something.” She lets out a loud laugh. “In fact, I hope he does so you can…you know…”
I can almost hear the shrug.
One thing is perfectly clear. She does not like Declan, one bit. Or maybe she does, and this is all protesting too much? I already have my dad interfering in this relationship, I don’t need my sister doing the same. I really hope she isn’t going to be a problem. I have made the decision to forgive Declan for an indiscretion that, quite frankly, isn’t even anything to do with me. It’s just a damn shame it happened with my sister to his knowledge. I’d hate to have to bring my own sister in line if she starts to meddle where she isn’t wanted. A sickening thought suddenly occurs to me, and I have to ask the indelicate question or be bugged about it until the end of time.
“Well, yeah he seems like a bit of a player,” I say carefully. “Hope you used protection.”
“Please,” she scoffs. “What do you take me for? Think I’d touch a one-nighter without him being bagged. Ugh!” Her disgust reassures me that Declan did, in fact, wear a condom and now I don’t have to be grossed out by having sex with him without it. I really dislike them immensely. They make me itchy, and I like to feel my man inside me. I take extra precautions for myself with regular testing and birth control, but yeah, it’s a matter of trust who I take between my legs. Sadly, it doesn’t happen all that often. I have to really want it after what happened to me. I like all the play and foreplay and vibrators are a wonderful invention. These four men, though… they have a hold over me that no other man has ever had. They make me want them. Scratch that…need them. It’s a revelation and one I’m looking forward to exploring, despite the fear and uncertainty.
“Rubes?”
Scarlet’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Yeah.”
“You aren’t seriously thinking of going there, are you?”
“Nah,” I lie. It’s just easier that way. “Don’t know why Rex wanted me to know all this. It’s none of my business.”
“Yeah, well,” she huffs and then there’s an awkward silence.
“It’s late, I’d better go and get some sleep,” I say.
“Sure,” she says. “I’m on a job anyway. This dude is going to kill me for spending so much time away.” She laughs and all is well again.
I hang up and check the clock. 3AM. I’m absolutely exhausted but there is no way I’m letting the rest of this night get away from me. David, Layton and Ramsey are meeting us here momentarily and I intend to make the most of it. I dump my phone on the sofa and head into the kitchen.