Page 50 of Ruled Out

“S? Who the fuck is this?” His voice is a mock tease as he turns the screen to face me.

It’s just a picture of Mia’s hand as she holds a fork, ready to dig into a stack of pancakes. There’s no way he can recognize her from that photo alone.

Thank fuck.

“No one you know.” I don’t turn around to face him. In fact, I barely move a muscle as I work to keep my response neutral.

“You know what they say about girls with red nail polish.” He chuckles low, sucking in an appreciative breath.

I say nothing as he slides the phone back into my ripped pocket.

“They suck dick really fucking well.”

I shake my head, mimicking his chuckle. “I think that sexist line is exclusive to you.”

“You really think you’re above me, don’t you, hotshot?” He steps closer again, and I turn off the burner. “But you’ll never escape this life, and you’ll always just be a little rat that murdered your brother.”

The red mist descends, and I spin on my heel, for once ready to land the first punch.

But maybe I poked the bear a little too hard this time because I buckle over in agony.

He landed the first hit, just like he always does. But something about this doesn’t feel right. I lift my head and look at him, my knees ready to give way beneath me and the room spinning three sixty degrees. That’s when I see it—the brass knuckles on his right hand.

He brings them to his mouth and kisses them gently, a disgusting sneer returning to his lips as he winds back for another shot at my ribs. “Welcome home, Jessie.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MIA

Nearly a week and nothing.

No word from Jessie.

Last time, he at least read my messages; this time, he’s not even opened them.

I wrap and tie a bunch of red roses, handing them over to a customer before passing them their change.

I wish I could be angry with him for ghosting me because then I’d be able to shake the nauseating dread swirling in my stomach. The more hours that go by without a response from him, the more I worry he’s gone off at the deep end. It’s also impossible to be angry with someone when they deliver a half-dozen heaters to your freezing dorm.

But he didn’t even reply to my thank-you text.

“There’s only a half hour left, and we’re quiet. Why don’t you take off, Mia?” Carly, my boss, pokes her head around the corner of her office door.

“You sure?” I reply.

I don’t mind waiting. Today’s shift has at least somewhat distracted my mind.

Carly holds out a white envelope in her hand. “Here’s your paycheck and a little tip to saythank you. The Christmas period was heavy, but profitable. I wanted to share some of it with you.”

I take the envelope from her hand. “Thank you.”

She smiles at me warmly and closes the door to her office as I grab my jacket off the hook on the back and begin slipping it on.

“Um, are you still open?” A British voice filters in from behind me.

I turn around to see Felicity standing at the counter, a bouquet of pink roses in her left hand.

“I can come back tomorrow.” Her eyes go wide as she recognizes me. “Oh, Mia. Hi again.”