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“I’m not going to lie.” Ruby gives a rueful smile. “It’s been pretty bad sometimes and scary especially in the beginning. I’d been so sheltered all my life. Suddenly at twenty years old, I see my mother murdered right before my eyes. Days later, I find out my father and brother are active in the mob and I’m expected to marry another mob boss to smooth over tensions between the two factions.” Lisa’s eyes are wide as she takes in Ruby’s tale. “You can’t make this shit up. I was in shock, grieving my mother, and at a total loss as to what to do. I had some really bad days. The sister of the man I was supposed to marry actually helped me escape,” Ruby confides.
“Really?” Lisa is fully engaged now. She seems to have forgotten her own troubles for the time being.
“Yeah,” Ruby confirms. “Gianna knew her father and brother weren’t good people, and she could tell how clueless I was to everything that our families were involved in. Hell, I was a virgin. Sorry if that’s TMI.”
“Not at all.” Lisa laughs. “Lord I wished I’d still been a virgin at twenty. You know the saying hindsight is twenty-twenty. So many mistakes.” She gives Ruby a remorseful look. “I got married young. Charlotte and I both did.”
“You’ve known Charlotte a long time?” Ruby asks.
“Yeah.” Lisa gives a genuine smile. “We’ve been friends since first grade. Thick as thieves. We were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. I got married the summer before our Senior year. I was pregnant with my oldest son. I thought I was in love. I guess I was, as much as any seventeen-year-old girl can be, but it wasn’t a true love. Not like what Charlotte has with Hawk.” Lisa sighs wistfully. She looks up at Ruby. “Not like what you have with Tank.” Ruby’s cheeks heat. “I see how he looks at you.”
“Hack looks at you the same way,” Ruby blurts out before thinking better of it. “Shit I shouldn’t have said that.” She gives Lisa an apologic smile.
“it’s okay.” Lisa blows out a breath. “It’s not like I don’t know how Hack feels. Hell, he’s made it his mission to tell and show me at every opportunity. I know everyone else can see it, too.”
“I don’t mean to overstep our new friendship,” Ruby says. “But what’s holding you back? I’ve seen you looking at him, too. Don’t take this the wrong way, because no one other than Tucker will ever do it for me, but he’s a handsome guy. The men on the team are all honorable, and he’s totally head over heels for you. I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t be all over him.”
“It’s complicated?” Lisa laughs out the question before shaking her head. “Charlotte has asked me the same question a thousand and one times. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. At first and for the most part, it’s the age difference.”
“Age difference?” Ruby’s face shifts in surprise. “It can’t be much. You’re what thirty-nine or forty?” Lisa gives a laugh at that.
“I knew I liked you,” Lisa declares with a smile. “I’m forty-seven. Hack is thirty-three. My mom will say I’m robbing the cradle and call me a cougar. Fuck, my oldest son is only a few years younger than him. People will think poorly of me.”
“If I cared for him, I wouldn’t let that stop me,” Ruby tells her. “Age is just a number, and if you both are okay with it then who cares what anyone else thinks. If they don’t like it, fuck ‘em.” Lisa roars with laughter, and Ruby joins in. It takes them a while to get themselves under control.
“Good Lord!” Lisa says after a few minutes. “I sure needed that. I appreciate you being so understanding. Charlotte is my very best friend, and she feels the same, but I guess we’ve known each other so long I just figured she would agree with it because she wants me to be happy after everything…” Lisa trails off, an emotion crossing her face Ruby can’t quite put a name to. An uncomfortable silence descends, and Ruby racks her brain for something to say to ease the tension.
“I’m sorry,” Lisa says after a few minutes. “I wasn’t always like this.”
“Like what?” Ruby asks curiosity blooming.
“Bitchy, moody, melancholy.” Lisa shakes her head. “However, I’ve been this way longer than I was the free, fun-loving person of my youth, so maybe it’s who I am now, and I won’t be able to find that person again.” Her eyes well with tears again. Ruby’s heart breaks for the woman. She’s obviously under tremendous stress, and the war she’s battling in her head must be exhausting.
“Is there anything I can do?” Ruby asks not knowing what else to say without probing for more information.
“No, but thanks for asking. I…I just wish things were different.” Lisa swipes the tears from her face. “But they aren’t so no use crying over spilled milk.”
“I know I’m considered to be young, but I’ve lived a lifetime in the last six years,” Ruby tells Lisa. “One thing I’ve learned is life is short. The last thing you want is to have a mountain of regrets on your death bed. I know we don’t really know each other, but don’t let your fears keep you from happiness, Lisa. I didn’t want to let Tucker in. I liked him from the moment we met, but I was afraid. Afraid of getting my heart broken when I had to leave him behind. Afraid of Russo, Jr. or of my brother finding me and hurting Tucker to get to me. I know it’s ridiculous. He’s a larger than life, beast of a man, and a badass Marine. He can take care of himself. But I was worried for him. Honestly, I’m still worried for him. I won’t survive if something happens to him. It’ll be worse if he’s hurt because of his connection to me.”
“I can relate,” Lisa says. “Oh Lord, can I relate!” Ruby can hear the truth in her statement. Lisa does understand how Ruby feels.
“Are you running from someone, too?” Ruby asks softly. Lisa’s startled gaze hits her.
“Yes.” Lisa breaths out, the fear plain on her face, but a second later she’s schooled it away. “Wait, no, forget I said that. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know why I said it.”
“Hey, calm down.” Ruby tries to soothe her. “I won’t say anything to anyone, but you need to trust Hack. I don’t know him, but if he’s anything like Tucker, he’ll move heaven and earth to make sure you’re safe.”
“I know he will,” Lisa’s voice barely a whisper. “That’s why I’m afraid. I don’t want him getting hurt for me or doing something to cost him his career. He’s worked so hard to get where he is now.” She shakes her head. “He’s crazy enough to get himself in serious trouble. I don’t want him to risk going to jail, again either.”
“Again?” Ruby is shocked. How is he in service if he’s a criminal. Perhaps she should reconsider her trust in the men on the team. She’d thought they’re all kind and thoughtful, but deadly when needed, just like Tucker.
“I probably shouldn’t have said that.” Lisa grimaces. “He was just a kid, and he wasn’t convicted of anything. He’s seriously good with computers and super intelligent. He could and still can hack into any system. One of his high school classmates was jealous of him and wanted to embarrass him. He dared Elijah, Hack as you know him, to hack into an FBI database. He didn’t think Elijah could do it, and he could humiliate him for failing.”
“Let me guess. He was successful?” Ruby questions.
“Yes, but he got caught,” Lisa answers. “The FBI showed up at his home and took him into custody. They gave him a choice, show them how he did it and join the bureau or go to jail. Hack refused to join the FBI but countered with joining the Marines and the officials agreed as long as he didn’t hack any more sensitive databases…unless they wanted him to do so.”
“Oh man! That must have been scary for a young man?” Lisa nods as Ruby continues, “I guess that’s how he got his nickname, too?” Ruby enquires. Lisa nods.
