Page 101 of Velvet Chains

“You don’t have to defend wanting him,” he said. “You’re not the first person to fall for someone impossible.”

“He’s not impossible.”

“Okay,” Alek said, sitting back. “Then he’s just dangerous. Which, believe it or not, is worse.”

I let out a slow breath and rubbed my palms against my skirt. The fabric was already wrinkled from the hours I’d spent hunched over my desk.

“He’s not going to like it,” I said again.

“And?” Alek’s voice was razor sharp. “What exactly are the consequences of Kieran not liking something? He glowers at you? Pouts in his millionaire fortress? Sends flowers to your doorstep while his brother buries bodies in the harbor?”

I gave him a look. “He doesn’t send flowers.”

“Yeah, Ruby, that’s the point. He doesn’t send flowers and his brother buries bodies in the harbor. Both of those things are true.”

The silence after that was heavier than it should’ve been. The weight of everything that had happened with Kieran felt like it was shackling me in place.

“I think he’s trying to protect me,” I said.

“I think he’s trying to save himself,” Alek said.

There was no venom in his voice. Just quiet, brutal honesty. And maybe that’s what I hated most about him sometimes—how well he knew me. How easily he could strip the romance away and show me the truth underneath.

I crossed the room and poured myself a cup of coffee, even though I didn’t want it. I just needed something to do with my hands.

“Okay,” I said at last. “You’re right. We make the appointment.”

“I’ll call Darnell.”

“No,” I said. “I will.”

“I’m your attorney,” he said.

“I know, but I’m the DA, and I need to start acting like it.”

“Okay. You sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah. It needs to come from me.”

He stood. “Then I’ll wait outside while you do it. You don’t want your voice shaking when you ask her for a time.”

“That obvious?”

“Only to me,” he said.

I watched him leave and close the door behind him.

And then I picked up the phone.

I stared at the screen for a long time before I finally scrolled to the contact Alek had saved for me months ago, back when Darnell was just a distant possibility, not a guaranteed wrecking ball.

My thumb hovered. Then I pressed call.

“Lucy Darnell,” came the clipped voice on the other end.

“This is Ruby Marquez,” I said, voice steady. “I think it’s time we talk.”

A pause.