Page 3 of Velvet Corruption

Ruby set her mug down with a soft thud, her earlier playfulness melting into something more guarded. “Shit. I must have seen your face. So when you say DA Lenta loves you…”

“It’s complicated,” I finished for her. “Family business and all that. And whatever I was arrested for, I can assure you it wasn’t my fault.”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed, her earlier playfulness replaced by caution. “Right. Not your fault. I’m sure that’s what all the Callahans say.”

Her tone was sharp, but she didn’t get up to leave.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “You work for the DA. You tell me–how many times have I been convicted? Also, DA Lenta is known for his…hyperbole. My dad might be an asshole, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Your conviction record doesn’t mean anything,” she said. She looked like she was about to gather her things to leave, but then sighed instead, locking her gaze with mine. “Why are you telling me this?”

I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. “Because I liked talking to you. And I didn’t want to start whatever this is with a lie.”

Ruby’s expression softened slightly, but the wariness remained in her eyes. “And what exactly is ‘this’, Kieran?”

I leaned forward, my voice low. “I don’t know yet. But if you’re open to it, I’d like to find out.”

She bit her lip, fingers tracing the edge of her mug.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You’re… well, you’re you. And I work for the DA.”

“All the more reason to get to know each other better,” I countered. “Think of it as gathering intel.”

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Is that what you’re doing? Gathering intel on the DA’s office?”

I held up my hands in mock surrender. “You caught me. My master plan was to seduce the prettiest legal assistant and pry all the DA’s secrets out of her.”

Ruby scoffed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“That’s what my brothers say,” I told her.

Ruby’s eyes flickered with interest at the mention of my brothers. “Ah yes, the infamous Callahan boys. I’ve heard stories.”

“All good things, I’m sure,” I said with a wry smile.

She leaned forward. “So which one are you? The charming one, the dangerous one, or the smart one?”

I chuckled. “Can’t I be all three?”

“Modest too,” she quipped, but her smile was genuine.

“Look,” I said, my tone softening. “I know that who I am and what my family does complicates things. But I’m not asking for your hand in marriage here. Just a chance to get to know you better.”

“I thought you couldn’t commit.”

I smiled. “Now, Ruby,” I said. “Why would you ask me to commit?”

Ruby’s eyes widened slightly, a flush creeping up her neck. “I—I didn’t,” she stammered. “I was just repeating what you said earlier.”

I leaned in closer, my voice low. “And here I thought you were trying to lock me down already.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. “You wish, Callahan.”

“You might be right.”

She glared at me. “You should know,” she said. “This…this thing you’re doing right now, it doesn’t work on me.”

“Straight up honesty doesn’t work for you?”