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Ruby holds up her other hand before pulling out a small, flat box.
She tosses it to Cathal, who automatically reaches out to catch it, forgetting about his ribs.
“Oof,” he grunts softly as he catches it.
“You didn’t get this from me.”
He nods stiffly, pissed off beyond belief that she saw his weakness. “We done?”
“Actually,” Ruby interrupts, her attention shifting to my car. “I wanted to speak with Summer for a moment.”
“Nuh-uh,” I say, stepping forward. “She’s off limits.”
“It’s girl talk. Nothing more sinister than that.”
It doesn’t even surprise me that Ruby already knows about Summer. She has eyes everywhere.
“Fine,” I grumble, knowing I don’t really have a choice. It’s comply or get on her bad side, and to be honest, while that doesn’t scare me, it’s a waste of time and resources when we have bigger fish to stab in the guts and slice open.
Nodding her thanks, Ruby approaches the car with Cathal and me close behind, ready for action. I doubt Ruby will hurt her. Word is, she is big on protecting women, not hurting them. Summer is probably safer with Ruby than with us.
This is proved correct when I see her demeanor shift. Her previous arrogance fades, replaced by genuine gentleness. She raps on the window. “Summer, my name is Ruby Bellingham. Ciarán and Cathal are right here. I’m not going to hurt you. Can you open up?”
Summer’s gaze swivels to mine, and I nod reassuringly.
Slowly, Summer opens the car door and climbs out. Cathal has tightened his grip on his gun, and I can’t say that mine hasn’t let up either.
Ruby smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Summer replies cautiously.
“You okay?”
Summer nods, casting her gaze furtively between us and Ruby. “Y-yeah. Erm, you?”
“I’m good. Listen, this world can be brutal for women, and I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Summer hesitates before answering, clearly taken aback by the unexpected display of empathy. “I’m fine.”
“Good,” Ruby nods, her gaze filled with relief and determination. “Just remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, or if things get too rough, reach out to me. We need to look out for one another.” She hands Summer a business card.
“Thanks, Ruby,” Summer says quietly, taking it.
Ruby nods before turning back to face my brother and me. “You’ve made your point, and we’ll do our best to adapt to the reorganization. But remember that every action has a reaction. You may think you’re invincible now, but nobody stays on top forever.”
Declan and Cillian nod in agreement, their faces impassive yet foreboding, as if they’re silently issuing their own warning.
“Understood,” I reply tersely, my eyes never leaving Ruby’s. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have work to do.”
“Of course,” she says, her voice cold and distant once more. “We’ll be seeing each other again, I’m sure.”
And with that, Ruby sweeps out of the warehouse, followed closely by Declan and Cillian.
Ruby shifts her gaze back to the men behind us before quickly looking away.
“Well, guess we got what we came for,” I mutter.
“Maybe,” Cathal replies, glaring at the box. “Time will tell.”
