Page 129 of Velvet Corruption

“Right, right,” he muttered. “Not funny.”

I glanced back down the hall, into the kitchen, where I could just barely hear the sound of a faucet running.

She was washing her hands again.

Over and over and over.

I exhaled through my nose, turning away, listening to the sound of the axe coming down, the wet thunk of it meeting flesh.

This was her world now. Whether she wanted it or not.

And whether she liked it or not, I wasn’t letting her go through it alone.

“Take the body to the backyard,” I said. “Finish there. Leave through the back. Have someone come before dawn to fix the window.”

“Yes, boss,” Lorenzo said. “What are you doing?”

“Taking care of everything else,” I replied.

I didn’t want them to know that what I meant was taking care ofher.

I hadn’t heard the water running for a bit. I went back in the kitchen to look for her and couldn’t see her.

The side entrance to the mudroom was open, though. Fuck…if Ruby left…then everyone would really be in a world of shit.

I ran outside, watching as she made her way to her car parked on the street.

She didn’t get far.

Barefoot, her steps faltering, coat thrown over damp skin and blood still drying on her arm like a brand. She moved like she wasn’t in her body—like the adrenaline hadn’t fully worn off but the horror had caught up.

She didn’t see me until she was almost at the car.

Her hand reached for the door.

“Stop,” I said.

Not loud. Not urgent. Just…certain.

She froze.

Didn’t turn. Didn’t breathe. Just froze.

I stepped up behind her, the cold air curling between us. My palm landed on the top of the car next to her hand, caging her in. I didn’t touch her—but I could have. We both knew it.

“Where are you going, Ruby?”

Her voice came thin and tight. “I need air.”

“You’ve had plenty. Try again.”

She tried to pull the door open. I pushed it closed.

Her whole body jerked. Still bloody. Still shaking.

“Look at me,” I said.

She didn’t.