Page 100 of Coercion

“Ruby.” He says. “Talk to me and all of this will end.”

She sobs, shuddering. “That’s all I wanted. I just wanted it to end.”

“What?” I ask.

She looks at me but it’s like she isn’t really registering me, like she doesn’t have the energy to focus beyond the tip of her nose.

“How much blood has she lost?” Nico asks.

I shrug. It wasn’t like I was keeping count. I needed answers. Istillneed answers. And as yet, my darling wife has given me nothing.

Nico drops his hold, pulling his phone out, dialling a number I know is for the doctor. When he hangs up he turns back to face me. “You’re certain she’s involved?”

“Yes.” I snap. “She told me Gunnar…” I trail off as my mind suddenly registers that he was here. He came to this damned house.

Is that when he told her what to do, is that how he communicated it all? He came up with a plan and then got his little bitch to play her part?

I all but shove Nico out of the way, grabbing her by the throat as I put my face right into hers. “He was here.” I state. “He came to this house, didn’t he?”

Her eyes widen, more fear than I thought possible shows in those beautiful irises.

“What did you tell him, Ruby? What exactly did you divulge?”

“He didn’t…”

I let out a laugh, stepping back. She can deny it all now. “I have footage of it.” I state. “I have this entire house under surveillance.”

She starts trembling like I’m about to catch her in some new lie -and we both know that I am.

“Preston…” She gasps.

I tilt my head. Here we fucking go.

“Please, please don’t watch that.”

“Why the fuck would I not?” I reply.

She shuts her eyes, her breath coming so fast like she’s having a full blown panic attack. “I don’t want you to see.” She whispers, hanging her head.

“Bit fucking late for that.” I state. I’ll see it alright, I’ll witness every moment of her treachery and she’ll no longer be able to deny it.

“Please…” She begs as Nico jerks his head at me and I storm out.

Whatever the fuck she’s hiding, we’re about to find it all out now.

Preston

The surveillance room is the other side of the basement. I cut across it, not caring that my own hands are dripping blood.

Ruby’s blood.

When I tap in the code, the door clicks open. My phone has access to an app for the livestream but all the old footage can only be viewed here, from the main database.

I tap in the date, scanning through the files. It takes me barely a minute to find the time I’m looking for.

My hand smears blood across the keyboard. My fingers drip blood into the indents of the mouse. At least once I know thetruth, I can confront Ruby and all of this will be over. She’ll admit what she’s done.

She’ll crumble and then, and only then, will I let the doctor see to her.