Page 109 of Lovely Venom

But he’s not in charge.

“I don’t have a lot of friends,” I confess. “My neighbor Ruby is one of them. She sounded upset when she called me this morning. I promised I would go home today. Please?”

“Okay.” Connor stands up abruptly and drops a one-hundred-dollar bill on the table, not even bothering to ask for the check. “Let’s go.”

When he reaches for my hand, I let him take it. On the street, Connor opens the passenger door for me, brooding and not making eye contact. I get in, certain that he’ll think differently about this visit when he sees how delicate and sweet Ruby is. How she needs me.

The roar of the truck’s engine is both soothing and bone-chilling. We pull out onto the street and Connor makes the left to go toward my apartment without asking for the address. I stare at him.

“Told you that I knew where you lived.” The past tense stirs up my anxiety, but I ignore it.

“Only seems fair, I knew where you lived.” I try to level the playing field.

While driving, Connor makes a call. “It’s me. I need backup to meet me at my girlfriend’s apartment.” Herattles off my building.

I don’t have time to freak out over being called a mob boss’s girlfriend. I’m too worried Connor is going to abduct Ruby.

When we get there, I recognize Blade, the bald, burly man in a suit, standing in front of my stoop. His partner Jett, aptly named because of his jet-black hair and who’s dressed the same way, is leaning into that car that’s always parked in front of my building.

Some asshole hogs that spot.

Not anymore. Connor’s guards are getting him to move.

“Money or muscle?” I ask, pointing to the shakedown.

Connor smiles, keeping an eye on his men. “I don’t care. I said I needed a place to park. I don’t micromanage.”

I smirk, seeing that crappy electric blue Corolla finally move. Connor slides his tank into the spot. One of the two men stays with the car, and the other follows us into my building.

“No doorman?” Connor asks, sounding surprised.

“You don’t have a doorman.” I fold my arms.

“I have them.” He juts a thumb to Blade and Jett.

I roll my eyes. “No. No doorman. Do you know how much an apartment costs in a building with a doorman?”

“No. And soon you’ll be living with me, so forget about those kinds of worries.”

I turn away so he doesn’t see me frown at the idea that I’ll just agree to be taken care of.

Connor easily jogs up all three flights. “It’s a nice building. Clean. These stairs are a good workout.”

I stupidly think that means he’ll let me live here while wedate. Doubtful.

We creep past Ruby’s apartment, and when I stop to listen, Connor asks, “Is this where your neighbor lives?”

My heart starts to pound. “It is. But she’s staying atmy place. Her father is...” I can’t believe I’m protecting that prick. “Let’s see what happened to Ruby.”

Hopefully, that’s enough chum in the water to keep Connor happy.

We get to my apartment, and I unlock my door. The sound of a game show tells me she’s still here.

Ruby sits on my sofa with skinny legs pulled into her chest. I hear her favorite show come through the speakers.

Hey everyone, I’m your man, Steve Harvey. We got a great show for you today.

I’ve seenFamily Feudmany times, too.