~Ruby's POV~I was lying on my bed, soaking in the quiet, when the door creaked open; Rhett and Little Ruby popped their heads inside. Their mischievous smiles were enough to set off alarms in my head.“Hey, Mum. What are you doing?” Rhett asked casually. “Umm… nothing, exactly. Just trying to relax,” I said cautiously, narrowing my eyes at them.“Oh, that’s nice. What a coincidence,” Little Ruby said, her voice too sweet to be trusted.“Coincidence?” I asked, sitting up. “What are you two planning?”"Well... we were thinking the same thing too. So... you can relax outside—with us,” she added, her grin broadening.“No. Not a chance.” I shook my head firmly, but they didn’t even flinch.“Come on, Mum! You can even swim with us,” Rhett chimed in.“Oh… so that’s why you’re both dressed like that?” I asked, eyeing their swimsuits.“Exactly! Trust us, it’ll be fun,” Little Ruby said, bouncing on her toes.“Remember, I can’t swim, guys,” I said, raising an eyebrow.“Oh… that's true. But th
~Little Ruby's POV~“Rhett?” I stopped laughing as I went under the water. I came up a little while later, feeling scared and weak. “Mum! Help! I think Rhett is drowning!” I screamed, my voice shaky with fear.Mum jumped out of her chair so fast it looked like she flew. She ran to the pool and, without thinking twice, dove right in—even though I knew she didn’t know how to swim. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would jump out of my chest.I swam toward Rhett as fast as I could. Mum splashed wildly beside me, and together, we grabbed him and pulled him to the shallow end of the pool. I could barely breathe by the time we got him out.Rhett coughed and blinked, sitting up. “Whoa… that was close,” Mum said, gasping for air.“It sure was!” I said, relieved but still shaking. “You scared us, Rhett!”“Sorry…” Rhett muttered, rubbing his head. Then he looked at Mum. “Wait, Mum… you’re swimming!”I turned to her, and suddenly, her face changed. Her eyes widened, and she looked at the w
~Ruby's POV~I blinked, feeling confused, as I looked down at my twins. They were holding onto me tightly, their small arms wrapped around me as if I was the only thing keeping them safe. My body felt weak, and my thoughts were jumbled, but I managed to lift my hands and gently place them on their heads.“I’m okay,” I whispered, though my voice was barely audible, hoarse from whatever had just happened.“Don’t scare us like that again, Mum,” little Ruby said, her voice trembling as if she was holding back tears. Hearing the crack in her voice broke something in me.“I promise,” I murmured, my lips trembling as I pulled both of them closer. Their warmth was grounding, pulling me back from the abyss I felt teetering on.I glanced up and saw him—Roman—sitting back on his heels, watching us. There was something raw in his expression, something I hadn’t seen before. Relief, maybe, but it was more than that. He looked shaken, like what just happened had hit him almost as hard as it hit me
"Are we going to keep staring at each other, or are you actually going to kiss me?" I whispered.Roman didn't need any more encouragement. He cupped my face, and our lips crashed together, sending a shiver down my spine. His hands were on my body, exploring every inch of me.My own hands were tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. I could feel his heart racing against my chest, his ragged breath on my neck.The tension between us was undeniable. It was like a fire, consuming us, making us forget about the world around us."Are you sure about this, Ruby?" Roman whispered, his voice thick with desire."I'm not. So go on before I change my mind."His eyes lit up, a sly grin tugging the corners of his mouth. "As you wish."And then his lips were on mine again, claiming them in a way that sent a wave of heat through my body. I lost myself in the moment, in the feeling of his touch, his scent, his taste.My mind was swimming with desire, and the only thing that mattered was being with him
~Roman's POV~I watched from the couch as Little Ruby, Rhett, and Kai stood back to admire their handiwork. The dining area sparkled under the soft glow of the overhead lights, the scent of dish soap still lingering faintly in the air.“Whoa… I think we did a great job here,” Kai said, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest like he’d just finished building a skyscraper.“Hmmm… I’m impressed,” Ruby said, leaning against the wall with a proud smile.“Welcome to the team, Kai,” Rhett said with mock seriousness, offering his small hand for a handshake.Kai crouched slightly to meet Rhett’s height and clasped his hand. “Thank you for having me. It’s an honour.”The formal tone of their exchange sent everyone into a fit of laughter. Even Ruby, who was clearly still a bit tired, couldn’t hold back her chuckles. Moments like these reminded me how much warmth and chaos this house had brought into my life.Once the laughter died down, we all made our way to the living room. The kids darte
~Ruby's POV~After breakfast, I grabbed my phone and dialed Keely’s number. The familiar dial tone filled the room before her voice answered, bright and warm.“Hey Ruby… good morning,” she greeted.“Hi Keely. How are you doing?”“Doing great, Ruby. What about little Ruby and Rhett?”“They’re doing well, thanks for asking,” I said with a small smile. “Are you free today, by any chance?”“Umm… yeah, I totally am. Why do you ask?”“I was thinking about bringing the kids over. You know, spend some time together, catch up a little.”“You are?” Keely’s tone lifted in surprise.“Yeah, you know… it’s been a while.”“Why not? Please come over, Ruby. I’d love that,” she said excitedly.“Thanks, Keely. I really appreciate it,” I replied.“Don’t mention it. You’re always welcome. Oh, and Esperanza?”“She's still asleep, I think,” Keely said.“That explains why she didn’t pick up when I called earlier,” I said, chuckling softly.“Yeah, she puts her phone on silent when she’s sleeping. I’ll let her
~Ruby's POV~The sun streamed through the windscreen as I steered the car along the winding streets. It was one of those mornings when the world felt alive—everything aglow under the golden rays. Little Ruby and Rhett’s laughter bubbled up from the backseat, their chatter a light, melodic rhythm that warmed my heart.“Are we really going to see Aunt Keely and Esperanza?” Little Ruby asked, her face practically glowing with excitement.“Yes, we are,” I said with a soft smile, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.“Do you think they’ll let us build a fort in the living room?” she asked, leaning forward in her seat.Rhett scoffed, nudging her with his elbow. “The backyard’s better. Bigger space for a proper fort—and better hiding spots.”I chuckled, shaking my head at their endless imaginations. “Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you listen to Aunt Keely and Esperanza, alright?”“Of course, Mommy!” they chorused in unison, their voices filled with playful mischief.The drive p
~Ruby's POV~“What could be on this?” I whispered to myself. The answer felt just out of reach, tantalizing but terrifying.The sound of footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts. I shoved the flash drive inside my pocket, then put the box back in the vent, and hurriedly pushed the wardrobe back into place.“Ruby?” Uncle Evan’s voice startled me, and I spun around to see him standing in the doorway, his brows furrowed in confusion.“Uncle Evan!” I said, forcing a smile as I tried to steady my breathing. “Good afternoon.”His eyes scanned the room before settling on me. “What are you doing in here?”“I… I was on my way to the bathroom,” I stammered, pointing vaguely down the hall. “But I wanted to come in and… uhm… you know, take a look. I hope you don’t mind.”“Of course not, Ruby.” His gaze softened slightly, though there was still a hint of suspicion in his eyes. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Being in here without her.”I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. I miss her so much.”He sighed, his
ROMAN’S POVWeeks turned into months, but the thought of Ruby never left me. The girl I had cast out, humiliated, and tossed aside had taken root in my mind like an ache that wouldn't fade. I didn't know when it started—when guilt became regret, when regret became longing. And when longing turned into something I never thought I'd feel.I had fallen for her… even in her absence.But she was nowhere to be found.At first, I convinced myself she was hiding, waiting for things to blow over before she returned. But as time passed, that hope crumbled. She wasn’t at her uncle’s. She had no friends who would take her in. She had nowhere to go.So where the hell was she?Desperation clawed at me. I sent out word myself, asking anyone who might have seen her. I searched the city, turning over every stone, checking every street she might have wandered. But it was as if she had vanished into thin air.The thought that she might have wandered into the woods haunted me. I sent patrols out, ordere
~Romans POV~Seven Years Ago…The Pack House stood tall and intimidating, its walls filled with years of memories—some good, some bad. But today, I felt nothing but cold detachment. The air inside was heavy with judgment, and the smell of incense couldn’t hide the tension in the grand hall.I stood before the council, my face expressionless, my hands clenched into fists at my sides."You are no longer one of us."The words echoed in my mind, cutting deeper than any blade could. "You are dead to this pack, and if you return, it’s death."This moment—this exile—had started long before today. It had begun weeks ago, with a mistake, a misunderstanding, and a choice that had set everything into motion.******I stood in my bedroom, my hands sifting through his wardrobe. The scent of old fabric and polished wood filled the air as I searched for something to wear. My eyes sighted a small cloth, tucked away between neatly folded clothes.Ruby’s clothes.My chest tightened, memories of days a
~Roman's POV~Minutes ago…The hospital lights above me buzzed softly, their harsh glow doing little to ease the anxiety churning inside me. I clenched my phone tightly as I walked back and forth in the hallway, my thumb repeatedly pressing the screen in frustration. The call just wouldn’t connect. I dialled once more, my patience thinning with each unanswered ring.“What the hell was he thinking?” I muttered.“Calm down, Roman. Relax for a second.” Kai’s voice was steady, but I could hear the wariness laced beneath it.I turned to him, my glare cutting. “Don’t—don’t tell me to calm down, Kai.”Kai sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew me well enough by now to understand there was no reeling me back once I got to this point.“This was between me and him,” I seethed, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “No one else. He had no business dragging anyone into this.”Kai exhaled, arms crossed over his chest. “Helen was obstructing, I guess.”“No.” I shook my head. “Even if she wasn’t,
~Ruby’s POV~The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the laptop filling the space. On the screen, surveillance footage from eight different angles showed the attack happening in real time. I felt a knot in my stomach as I watched it all unfold.The front door burst open first—five masked men storming in like they owned the place. Helen was the first to react. She fought them off or at least she tried to, but she was outnumbered. One of them struck her hard across the face. She staggered but didn't fall. Another one lunged at her with a knife. Helen dodged once, twice—then pain shot across her face as the blade found its mark from behind.I gripped the edge of the chair.I barely heard my own breathing over the frantic pounding of my heart. The glow from Kai’s laptop screen bathed our faces in cold blue light, but nothing about this moment felt real. Roman, Kai, and I sat frozen, watching in horror as the nightmare unfolded before us.Rhett grabbed the nearest thing—a lamp, m
~Ruby’s POV~As soon as Roman and I stepped into the house, a suffocating weight settled over me. The silence wasn’t just empty—it was wrong. Heavy. It crawled over my skin, sinking into my chest, making it hard to breathe.My breath caught, my chest tightening as my eyes darted wildly over the destruction before me. The couch lay overturned, shattered glass crunched beneath my boots, and streaks of blood—dark, smeared—marred the walls like something, or someone, had been dragged.A cold shiver clawed up my spine. My stomach twisted into knots.And then it hit me.The kids.I sucked in a sharp breath, my voice breaking as I called out. "Helen? Rhett? Ruby?"Nothing.No footsteps. No voices. Just the eerie stillness of a house that should’ve been filled with laughter, with noise, with life.Panic gripped my throat, making it hard to breathe. I moved without thinking, pushing through the mess of broken furniture and accidentally knocking over a lamp in my desperate search. My heart rac
~Roman's POV~Abel’s voice carried through the speaker in a manner that was both smooth and taunting. "Good evening, little bro."I tightened my grip on the phone, jaw clenching. "What do you want, Abel?" I went straight to the point. No need for games—not that he ever played fair.“A little greeting won't hurt.” He mused. “I have no time for such.” I countered. “Christ, ever serious. Put the phone on speaker. I’m sure you’re not alone."Ruby's voice was soft but filled with suspicion as she shifted against me. "What’s he saying?"I raised a finger, signaling her to wait.Abel chuckled. "Oh, Ruby's there too? Nice. Go on, Roman."Damn it. Of course, he heard. He always did. I set the phone down on the table, hitting speaker.Abel’s voice filled the space around us, casual but laced with arrogance. "Figured you’d all be together after that little stunt you just pulled."Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent."You thought you were in control, didn’t you?" Abel continued, then
~Ruby’s POV~The basement was poorly lit, the single hanging bulb casting long, wary shadows along the damp concrete walls. The air was thick with the scent of rust, sweat, and something more metallic—blood. It clung to the space, making the atmosphere suffocating.Roman and Damien towered over the two men tied to the chairs, their faces revealing nothing as they contemplated what to do next. The men were restrained in worn metal chairs, their wrists and ankles firmly secured with heavy-duty zip ties.Their clothes were torn, blood seeping through the fabric where Roman and Damien had already introduced their fists.One of them, a stocky man with a split lip, glared up at Roman, his breathing heavy but controlled. The other, leaner with dark, piercing eyes, had a smirk despite the cut above his brow.Roman cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the silent room. “Who do you work for?”The stocky man didn’t answer. He only winced, his jaw tightening in defiance.Damien let out a shor
WARNING: GRUELSOME AND A BIT BRUTAL FOR SOME PEOPLE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION~Roman’s POV~The port had a salty, rusty smell mixed with something more foreboding—the scent of a deal about to go down. The waves gently hit the docks, creating a tense atmosphere. Flickering overhead lights cast long shadows between the stacked shipping containers.I adjusted the lens of my camera, angling it just right to capture the blurry figures exchanging briefcases. Each soft click of the shutter sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. This wasn’t just some shady deal. It was bigger—dangerous. And I could feel it in my gut.Beside me, Damien shifted restlessly, his fingers twitching near the concealed weapon at his side. His eyes scanned the scene, always watching, always ready."Standing here beside me isn't of any help," I muttered, focusing on getting the best shot."You think so?" Damien replied in a low voice."Obviously. And you know that.""I'm actually watching your back while you take the shots
~Ruby's POV ~Damien’s office was still as I last remembered—perfectly lit, a little too neat, and carrying that ever-present scent of leather and expensive cologne. It was the kind of place that made you feel like you were either about to be recruited into something dangerous or interrogated for something you didn’t even know you did.The tension was already thick before we even stepped inside. Roman entered first, with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed posture, but his eyes were alert. Kai came in right after him, unusually quiet and not his usual talkative self. I stayed by the doorway, feeling nervous.Damien sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, watching us as we filed in. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with curiosity—no, scrutiny. He barely let the silence settle before speaking. "Glad you could make it. Thought you’d have a change of heart."I met his gaze, unfazed. "We should be the ones worried about that."He let out a low chuckle. "Be res