Page 4 of Brutal Heir (Ruthless Heirs #3)
A PRIZED SHEEP
R ory
The pungent scent of McDonald’s greasy burgers and French fries fills the tiny apartment as I drag a fry across the blob of ketchup on my plate. As a born and bred Irish lass, it’s a good thing I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, or this would really be a pitiful one.
No, I’m just glad to have a full belly today and this roof over my head.
No matter how short-lived it ends up being.
Anything is better than the halfway house I first landed in and the grisly memories it contains.
The shared studio is barely bigger than a prison cell, and somehow it manages to feel even more claustrophobic.
The floor’s a patchwork of peeling laminate and ancient tile, the kind that’s permanently sticky no matter how many times you mop.
Which is my job. As I take a big bite of the double cheeseburger, I stare out the one narrow window that faces a brick wall, its rusted fire escape rattling every time a rat the size of a cat scampers across it. Outside, the sirens never stop.
But it’s my home for now. Somewhere no one will ever find me.
“Thanks for dinner, Mack.” I tick my head at my roommate’s boyfriend who provided our lovely meal.
“Sure, no problem, Rorster.” He drags his hand through his faux hawk before it settles on Shelly’s leg under the table.
She shoots him an adoring glance, like the oily, artery-clogging food he brought was a five-course gourmet meal. Love really is blind.
I smile all the same, keeping my snarky comments to myself and grateful to have found a decent roommate with whom to share the small flat in the Lower East Side almost three months ago now.
Despite Mack’s horrible new nickname for me.
Since my move to Manhattan a year ago, I’ve been bouncing around from one temporary home to another.
I’m hoping this will be my last move for a while.
Shelly lifts her gaze to mine, an unreadable expression gathering in her soft hazel eyes. “Um, we figured it would be nice to spend one last holiday together before—” She draws her bottom lip between her teeth, pausing.
“Before what?” I blurt.
“Oh, Mack, I knew today wasn’t the right time to tell her.” She wriggles in her seat, swiveling closer to his.
Her boyfriend’s hand appears from beneath the table to tangle with hers. “We’re really sorry, Rorster, but we’ve decided to take our relationship to the next level, so when the lease ends, Shelly’s moving in with me.”
“Well, shite.”
“I’m sorry,” Shelly singsongs over the hum of the crappy dying furnace.
“You’ve only been dating for a month. Don’t you think it’s a little quick?” I can’t help the question from popping out. Sure, Mack seems like a decent enough guy, but you never know what darkness lies beneath a pretty face.
My thoughts swirl back in time to a handsome boy I’d known my whole life. One who grew up to become a monster.
Blinking quickly to shove down the grisly memories, I focus on my soon-to-be ex-roommate and her boyfriend.
“When you know, you know.” A stupid smile curls her lips, and I actually feel sorry for her naivety. I only hope I’m wrong and it works out for them, but in my experience, there are no fairy tale endings, and love is a bunch of bollocks.
“Right, so when do I have to move out?”
Her expression turns sheepish, a heavy coat of crimson blanketing her cheeks, and dread fills my gut. “On December first.”
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! How am I supposed to find a new apartment in a week?
The chaotic sounds of the city blur all around me as I take purposeful strides down First Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
As a traveling nurse, I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck for the past year.
I take work wherever and whenever I can find it.
With my questionable references, I have to be careful. If anyone finds out who I really am…
I cut off the thought before it has time to fester, then my hand instinctively surges upward to the hairpin dagger that holds up my messy red hair. To most, it looks like a cute accessory, but in my hands, it’s a lethal weapon.
Growing up, Da may have failed me in most ways, but at least he taught me how to defend myself at a young age. If he hadn’t… God, I’d hate to think what would have happened that night at the halfway house…
Burying the horrible thoughts and focusing on my survival, I stride into the staff entrance.
Then I flash my temp badge and wave at the security guard, offering a tentative smile.
The stern guard almost laughs as he takes in my dark green scrubs with tiny, embroidered shamrocks.
If only he could see my badge lanyard with a leprechaun flipping the bird, then he’d really be cackling.
I lucked out getting a last-minute job at NYU Langone covering for an ER nurse out for the week. Unfortunately, it’s only for a week. Today, I have to find a way to secure a full-time position, or I’ll never be able to afford the deposit on another lease.
And in only a week, I’ll find myself homeless and shite out of luck.
Walking through the sterile white corridors, the scent of disinfectant heavy in the air, I head straight to the Emergency wing of the hospital ready to put myself at the mercy of the head nurse.
Though I’ve only been working here for a few days, I hope she’ll give me a recommendation I can take to the human resources department before my shift starts.
But first coffee…
When every penny counts, I can’t afford to squander eight dollars on designer lattes which means I’m forced to endure the watered-down sludge they provide for the staff.
Turning the corner, I find the lounge, thankfully.
This hospital is a maze and in my short time here, I’ve managed to get lost more than once.
Following the scent of roasted coffee beans, I march straight for the Keurig, almost barreling into a dark-haired woman in my rush.
“Sorry,” I blurt as I step around the girl who’s also hugging her mug of coffee.
“No problem.” Bright blue eyes lift to mine, and she offers a smile over the cup. “I was distracted by the caffeinated nectar of the gods.”
A chuckle tumbles out as I pour myself a steaming mug. At least it’s hot and fresh. “I know exactly what you mean.” I glance at her badge and the bright orange band across the top that marks her a medical intern. “Oh, future doctor?”
“I hope so. At this rate, I’m not sure I’ll survive medical school.” She shrugs, crinkling her nose. “I thought it would be fulfilling to really help people. Turns out I spend most of my time buried in anatomy flashcards and trying not to vomit in the cadaver lab.”
I laugh again before holding my hand out. “I can’t say I miss those days. I’m Rory Delaney by the way.”
“Isabella Valentino,” she replies before giving me a firm handshake. “Nice to meet you. I haven’t seen you around the lounge before.”
“I’m only temping for an ER nurse out on leave. I wish I could find a permanent position and an apartment for that matter.”
“Oh, that’s too bad you’re only here temporarily. I could use a fellow caffeine junky to hang out with on my coffee break.”
“Did someone say coffee break?” A blonde darts into the staff lounge with a tray of to-go cups and a huge diamond sparkling on her ring finger.
“Mmm, Starbucks,” Isabella and I croon in perfect unison before she turns her wide eyes to the girl.
“Sere, how did you get in here?”
“I have my ways.” She tosses her friend a wink.
“You are crazy.” Isabella wraps her arms around the girl and pulls her into a hug. “And thank you so much for this.”
“Well, if it’s the only way I get to see my favorite cousin while I’m in town then coffee delivery it is.”
When they finally peel apart, Isabella turns to me then motions at the blonde. “Sorry, where are my manners? Rory, this is my cousin Serena, Serena this is Rory.” Then to her cousin she adds, “Rory and I just met. She’s a temp nurse for the ER.”
“Temporary, you say?” Serena’s ocean blue eyes light up.
“That’s right. I’m a free agent.”
The girls exchange a conspiratorial glance. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Bella?”
“She needs an apartment too,” Isabella adds.
Serena erases the space between us, her scrutinizing gaze raking over me, and I suddenly feel like I’m back on my grandfather’s farm in Belfast, nothing more than one of his prized sheep.
When she’s completed her inspection, she whirls toward Isabella.
“Oh, my gawd, she’d be so perfect for Ale, right? ”