Page 160 of Show Me

I turn back to my computer. It probably is nothing. But Lindsey’s disappointment sticks with me longer than it should.

Chapter Eighty-Five

Xavier

I don’t leave her alone in the office. Not after this morning.

Everything is routine, tools in the back, the low hum of conversation, trucks coming and going, but none of it feels right. Someone was close enough to take pictures of her. Get past my defenses. Take shit out from under my nose. Get near the pen again. Scare her.

I’m near the front when the door opens. I look up. Not a delivery. Greg. Her fucking ex-boss. He steps inside as if he belongs here. Casual. Too casual.

“Hey….” His attention goes straight to her.

Ruby straightens behind the desk. “Greg.”

There’s a hesitation there. Small. But I see it.

“I was in the area,” he says, like that explains anything. “Figured I’d stop by.”

People don’t stop by like this. Not without a reason.

He steps closer to the counter, leaning his weight onto it like he’s done it before. Like he’s comfortable there.

“You okay?” Concern in his voice. Too smooth.

Ruby blinks. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Greg shrugs, but his eyes don’t leave her. “Heard you had some trouble at your place.”

The air shifts. Subtle. But immediate. My focus sharpens.

Ruby’s expression flickers with surprise, then something tighter. Unease. Fear. “Who told you that?”

Greg doesn’t answer right away. Just lifts his shoulder again. “Small town.”

Asshole. I push off the wall and step forward, closing the distance without rushing it. “Something you needed?”

Greg’s eyes move to me. Assessment. Quick. Measured. “Just checking in on Ruby.”

I stop beside the counter, close enough that he has to angle his body to keep facing her. That’s enough. He notices.

“So you’re….” Greg gestures vaguely between us.

“Working here?” I finish.

His mouth twitches. “Something like that.”

I don't react. Don't give him anything to work with.

He looks back at Ruby. “You should be careful.” There it is again. Concern. Wrapped wrong.

“We are,” I reply before she can.

Greg’s narrow gaze fixes on me. Not challenge. Not backing down. Just... something I can’t quite place. “Good.”

Somehow, the word doesn’t match his expression.

A second later, he pushes away from the counter. “Anyway.” His attention remains on Ruby. “Just wanted to make sure you were alright.”