Page 147 of Velvet Corruption

“I hope that includes keeping her mom safe, too.”

Chapter Thirty-Three: Kieran

Istayed in the closet a little while after Julian left. I heard them make plans to meet up for breakfast, then the delighted squealing of their little girl. When the front door closed, I heard the murmur of voices as he and Rosie got into the car.

I watched through the slats of the door in the closet.

Ruby didn’t move at first. She just stood there, breathing—shaky, uneven breaths like she was trying to keep herself from falling apart. Then, finally, she exhaled sharply.

“Okay,” she said. “You can come out now.”

I pushed the closet door open slowly, stretching my arms over my head as I stepped into the room like I had all the time in the world.

“Well, that was fun.”

She glared at me. “I am so glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

“Not the word I’d use. This window guy sounds like a jerk.” I smirked, leaning against the closet doorframe. “But it’s cute that you think I wouldn’t have walked out if I wanted to.”

Her jaw clenched.

“Kieran.”

“What?”

“You need to leave.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You in a hurry to get rid of me?”

“Yes. Alek is coming over, and I’m meeting Julian and Rosie for breakfast. I need you to get out of here as quickly and quietly as you can.”

Ruby didn’t look at me. She kept her eyes on the floor, like she was trying to push me out with sheer will. I let her have a minute. Watched the tension in her shoulders, the way she pressed her lips together, the tremor in her hands.

“How are you feeling? How’s your neck? Your head?”

She closed her eyes tightly. “It hurts. Everything hurts. Are they done?”

“Yes. You’ll never see my men again.”

“Okay,” she replied. “I guess I should thank you?”

“No thanks necessary, sweetheart,” I replied, winking at her. “Only coffee.”

I sighed like this was all some huge inconvenience and pushed off the doorframe, stretching again before walking past her, heading downstairs like I belonged there.

Ruby followed, her bare feet padding quietly against the hardwood. “Kieran—”

I ignored her, moving into the kitchen like I owned the place. Coffee first, arguments later. I pulled open a cabinet, found the mugs exactly where I expected them to be, and poured myself a cup like I’d done it a hundred times before. They had one of those fancy Espresso machines that made scheduled coffee.

Lucky me.

Ruby followed me downstairs. “You have to get out of my house.”

“I just got you out of a pickle. At least do me the courtesy of a cup of coffee.”

She swallowed. I looked at her bruises. No wonder Julian had noticed them. They were bad.

She stood in the doorway, arms crossed tight over her chest. “I’m serious.”