Page 144 of Lovely Venom

“I’m going to check the bedroom,” I say, getting to my feet. “The stockings might have their DNA.”

Her head pops up, and my reasoning is clearer now. “Oh, okay.”

“Can Connor sit with you while I’m in the other room?” I lean in and whisper, “Let him take care of you for a minute. He’s a good man, Ruby. You never have to be afraid of him.”

Connor eases down beside her and gently hands her the tea with a warm smile. “Here, sweetheart. Sip it slow. It’s hot.”

My heart thudding, I leave them there and head intomy bedroom. The place is a wreck. Clothes everywhere, makeup scattered across the vanity, a stack of dollar bills on the dresser. I start checking a bag on the floor she’s been living out of and find more fishnets, but they’re all intact. And none are silver and sparkly. Or stained.

The attack happened nearly a month ago. Glancing around, I don’t see them. If they were ripped, she would have thrown them out on instinct. My eyes land on the small black glossy trash bin next to the bed. It’s overflowing, and my pulse stutters.

Dropping to my knees, I pull out tissues, receipts, and fast-food wrappers.

“I’m glad you’re eating,” I whisper to myself.

Under a crumpled credit card bill, I see the stockings. Silvery and torn at the thigh. A lilac blouse sits underneath. Ruby was in shock and traumatized if this ended up in the trash, too. It’s her favorite shirt.

My fingers trembling, I carry the whole trash can back to the living room.

Ruby is still curled up against Connor, his arm around her as she cries softly. He murmurs something low to her that I can’t hear. When he looks up, I give him a small smile.

“I found the stockings,” I say, trying to inject positivity into this horrible situation.

It will lead to justice. I can’t change what happened, but I can work to bring down those assholes who hurt her.

Connor squeezes Ruby’s shoulder, then rises to his feet. “Where do you keep your plastic bags?”

“Kitchen,” I say hoarsely. “I’ll show you.”

We head in there together, and I grab a bag while Connor fists a set of clean kitchen tongs. He lifts the stockings from the trash can and carefully places them into the bag so his DNA isn’t on them.

Smart.

“Ruby,” I say quietly, holding up the lilac blouse. “This shirt is your favorite. Are you sure you want to get rid of it?”

“They spit on me.” Her voice comes out choked. “After. Each of them.”

Connor and I both freeze.

Spit. DNA.

I meet his eyes and signal for a second bag. He nods, already reaching for it.

I turn back to Ruby and take her hand again. “We’re going to get them.”

And I mean it. For her, and every woman who’s ever been attacked.

CHAPTER SIXTY

Connor

Idon’t let go of Raina’s hand as we stroll into Griffin’s office. I called Shane earlier and asked him to meet us here.

I place the evidence bags on Griffin’s desk. The shredded fishnet stockings and the purple blouse are sealed up in clear plastic. Hopefully, they will expose a truth that will smash the current brotherhood to dust.

Raina stands tall beside me, chin lifted, jaw tight.

Shane looks down at the bags and runs a hand through his hair. “We can’t test these ourselves.”