ARCHERMy wife, Ruby has a way of getting me into agreeing to what I would ordinarily not do. She had a magic, I'd call it magic because I couldn't explain what it was. I silently thought about this whole event the night she told me about it. Silence they say signify affirmation and I was halfway into thinking about what to say to her when she said "thank you babe for letting me do this". Here I was taking extra precaution for the two of us. It was my duty to protect her that night and I did try my best to keep my eyes open.It was a lot before I finally made up my mind about going for the fundraiser. Because I had to be a surportive husband which I'd signed up to be. Besides, it was a long time since we both went out together.The event was hosted In a garden of Aolo's mansion. It was over a million dollars mansion. A typical house of a big man. The evening was going well yet I was feeling unease. I dart my eyes around whenever Ruby wasn't within sight. Once I had seen her take a han
RUBY"Babe, we're going to be late,""I'm coming." I quickly wear my earrings. I can tell from Archer's voice that he's getting impatient already and I didn't want to give him a reason to call the whole thing off. I had to convince him to allow us to go to this event. The last thing I want is for him to change his mind. I take a last look at myself and smile. My ankle length, A-line gown looks so good on me. I turn and grin at the deep V-neckline at the back. The neckline is so deep that the whole of my back was on display. Archer is going to lose his shit when he sees it. The sleeves of the dress are long and cover the entirety of my hands. The diamond studs on my ear were a gift from my father on the occasion of my graduation. The red heels and clutch were chosen by Ethel during one of our shopping spree. I feel their love wrap around me like a warm blanket and I cuddle the little bump on my stomach. My child will never lack love. My hair is wrapped in a chignon with red l
ARCHER"I'm going to check the car. Lock the door after me and stay inside."I can see the panic in her eyes. This isn't ordinary. Her face turns ashen white making her red lipstick stand out more.When she first came down the stairs earlier tonight, I was dumbfounded at how beautiful she looked. She is radiant and has a glow around her. The incident with Diavolo has kept us all on her toes for weeks now. After experiencing what it's like to have her taken away from me. Fear of it happening again makes me want to lock her right in the house. Watching her come down the stairs though had made me happy that I agreed to attend this event. But now, I'm starting to have doubts."Ruby?" I ask again."Okay." She nods.I take off my jacket and she gasps. I'm wearing a gun harness. I have two guns strapped to me. Did she think I'll go out with being armed when Diavolo is still very much alive."Take this. Point and shit at any stranger." I instructed and placed the gun in her hand. She nod
RUBY"... Sorry for the delay." I'm so happy to see Dante that I feel giddy. Now the playing field feels a little even. Dante has been working for my papa since he was a teen. My papa picked him from the streets, wounded and dying. After saving his life, Dante followed Papa home and has since stayed. A cocky and playful man, with his curly black hair and black eyes. He looks so innocent most especially when he smiles and his two dimples appear. He's never failed to attract all kinds of women. As playfully as he is, he is also very deadly. He taught me how to shoot a gun and not once did I see him ever miss. Papa trusts him with his life and Dante is more than ready to defend him to death. I felt sick in my stomach when Archer suggested that I leave him. The thought of it made me almost throw up. To choose between our child and him was unthinkable."How did you find us?" Archer asks. "We've been following you from the house, Signor Ferretti asked us to follow behind. We in
ARCHERRUBY!!!Diavolo has totally lost it. I watch as Dante's car gets started and at the same time the back seat door opens and closes."I've got the extra ammo," the newcomer says."Okay." I reply, stretching my hands towards the back seat to get some spare magazines for my gun.I watch as the car holding Ruby drives away. My heart feels like it's rendering into two. Sending her away is the hardest decision I've had to make. But even I know that staying here any more minute would be an invitation to death. Diavolo is losing control by the minute and there's no telling what he'll do next.Have a good life Princess."Cover me." I tell the men in the car with me and open my door. Instantly, it's sprayed with bullets. I wait until it stops." I thought you said you didn't want to hurt Ruby." I shout at Diavolo. Having a clear view of him, now that the other car has driven away. He's standing in front of his men, I notice that there's two more on the floor and the others are shieldin
RUBYAs the car backs away in the dark of the night, I squint my eyes trying to get the last glimpse of the Archer in the car but I can't see him.The car turns and we revise back to town, where we came from. There's nothing I can't do right now but to get help. As the car puts more space between us, I curse Archer for convincing me to leave him. What if I never get to see him again? What if this is the end?I place my hand on my stomach, will my child grow up with a father? Will he hate me for leaving his father behind?Survive Archer. Survive."Can you go faster? There's still no signal." I say."Calm down Ruby, we'll get a signal soon." Dante says."Don't tell me to calm down Dante. You took me away from him. If something happens to him, I'll never forgive you." I say angrily, clenching my phone in my hand, waiting for the signal to return."Ruby, if you had stayed any longer, all you would have done is distract Archer and Diavolo would have capitalized on it. Would you like to b
ARCHERThe sound of a machine and the sterile smell of the room I'm in are the first thing I notice as I come awake. I'm alive. The pain in my side is enough to let me know that I didn't go to the great beyond. But what happened? The last thing I remember is facing off with Diavolo. Is he dead? Did I win?I try to gain control of my limbs. Nothing seems to be following my orders. Finally, my fingers move then my hands. Gradually, I'm able to open my eyes. I close it immediately, the light from the room is too much."Did you see that? His hands are moving. I could have sworn that he opened his eyes." That's Jordan. What's he doing here? It's not like I'm having a party. Sheesh. Or did I really die? Or am I in hell?"Archer baby, if you can hear me, please come back to me. I'm right here. Follow the sound of my voice." And that's Ruby. I almost smile when I hear her voice. I must be alive then or in heaven because there's no way my baby is in hell. I try my hardest and finally ope
ArcherI sat in the waiting area, my mind racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. It had been incredibly hard for me to leave Ruby's side, even for a short while. She was carrying our child, and the weight of that responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was to blame for her current condition, despite her assurances that I wasn't.The kind-looking doctor called my name, and I followed her into the examination room. I discarded my shirt as instructed, exposing the wound on my shoulder. The doctor went to work, cleaning and stitching it up with practiced precision. In no time, the wound was covered, and she provided me with instructions for care."Just make sure to keep the wound clean and dry, and it should heal nicely. If you experience any pain or swelling, don't hesitate to reach out to us," the doctor advised, offering a reassuring smile."Thank you, Doc," I expressed my gratitude before hastily making my way back to Ruby's ward. Ev
Archer“Really?” Ruby asks while she continues what she’s doing. She stops for a while and looks up at me, giving me a naughty smile.“What are you thinking?” I ask.“Anything you’re thinking, that’s what I’m thinking,” she says while letting out a light giggle.I look at her, still marveling at how she got to be so beautiful. Her hair falls off from her shoulders, and it is silky and dark. It smells of fresh olives, which turns my insides on.“So, tell me, what are you thinking? I want to know,” she inquires.“I’m not a man of many words, I’d rather show you what I’m thinking than say it out,” I reply back.“How will you show me?”“Just let me do my thing. You’ll know when I’ve shown it fully,” I say with a wide grin“Well, I just can’t wait already,” she says as she giggles and lays her head on my chest while I still hold her firmly by the waist.My nose picks up the scent of her perfume as I draw her closer to myself, and it is like a warm hug.It is soft and subtle, but it is unmi
RubyMany women want flashy or flamboyant weddings, not me. I always want to have the opposite, a quiet wedding with a few close friends as guests. I have also always imagined getting married to a man who would be head over heels in love with me.Today, I am getting one out of those two wishes. I am going to have the quiet, serene wedding of my dreams but to a man who can’t stand me, Archer Petraki. Most women would give anything to be in my position right now. They would be happy and excited to be his wife, not fidgety and nervous like I am.I stare at my reflection in the mirror, thinking I look pretty enough. The white wedding gown snugly hugs my shape, then tapers down and flows out. I have white roses braided into my hair. A tiny necklace with an A initial nestles on my chest.I am happy with how the makeup turns out. I told the guy I wanted something natural. I turn around to get a better look at the back just when the door swings open without a knock, and my sister walks in.“Y
RUBYMoist heat trailed up the side of my neck. I sigh, more asleep than awake. A gentle suction just under my ear draws a shudder from my body. I give myself over to the feel of his mouth against my skin and the warm strength of his hard body behind me. The backs of his fingers brushed over the bare skin just beneath my navel. My body tense with need. His fingers slid beneath the waistband of my panties, teasing curls of hair as he seeks my clit. I'm so hot and swollen. How had he gotten me so worked up so quickly? His fingers stroke me with the speed, pressure, and rhythm required to bring me to orgasm in seconds.“Oh God!” I cry as her body convulse with release. I have never climaxed so quickly before. I turn my head to seek his mouth with mine. I reach for him, my hand finding the warm skin of his arm. He must have removed his shirt while I was sleeping. A little more exploring finds him still wearing his pajama bottoms. Damn. He kisses me, and then shifts me back against his che
ArcherI tried to convince myself that my steadily tapping feet were not an indication of my excitement at her return. Yes, I was angry, furious even, but also relieved.I glance at my watch again.“Why isn’t she here yet?” I mutter irritably.Her sister said she’d be here an hour ago.I stand from the couch, pacing around, then sit down at the thought of her walking in and seeing that I was not totally aloof to her absence, that her running away had bothered me more than anything had ever bothered me before. Someone like her didn’t deserve to know she had that kind of power over me.I cross and uncross my leg for the sixth time. I’d missed her. I could admit that to myself alone, but to no one else, especially not to Ruby. Another thing I’d never admit was staying home just because she was coming back.The doorbell rings, and I stand up, hurrying toward the main entrance, pausing briefly to take a deep breath before unlocking the door.“Hi.”“Hi,” I breathe out, her beauty knocking t
Archer"Sit down Archer,all that pacing is making me nervous" I ignore Aolo's statement as I keep walking around the office space. We suddenly lost connection with Mirabel and with it,my faith in the mission. I'm left feeling adrift ,unsure of what is happening. Unsure if she was able to get Ruby and herself out of the house fast enough."I can't relax,bro. How can you even be so chill about all this? For all we know they could be in trouble now." I suddenly pause my pacing as a thought flashed in my head"We need to go over there" Aolo begins to shake his head in disagreement but I press on"We have to,they might need our help now.""You would be risking everything you've been trying to avoid Archer. What if the sight of you triggers him into hurting her? Can you really be able to live with the idea that you might have been the reason why she got harmed?" " Didn't think of it that way" I say after another pause"Of course you didn't" he replies calmly"I'm losing my fucking medula
RubyI hear the door being unlocked and I don't even bother to turn. I already know who it is."Hello darling" Diavolo greets cheerfully as he walks into the room. I ignore him "Still being stubborn?" He asks and this time I sit up from the bed and glare at him"You need to let me go. I'm having terrible pregnancy illnesses and I have to go to a hospital. I need supplements and vitamins"He laughs harshly then stops as his eyes travel down my body, briefly stalling at my slightly protruding stomach. "You really think I give a shit if you lose that baby? Heck! I want you to lose it. It's a liability honey,a setback. So no….you won't be getting any vitamins or supplements.""Fuck you!" "Well that can be arranged" he responds again,the smile still on his face."Look Ruby,you really have limited options here,you can't keep being headstrong,it will cost you". I scoff and give him a look thickly laced with disdain" I would rather die than submit to you Diavolo. You can't always have what
ArcherI stare absently at the wall as the phone rings. I make no move to answer it, lost in my own thoughts. The sound of the phone becomes nothing more than background noise, drowned out by the thoughts swirling in my head. Whoever it is will have to call back later or never again. I get up and walk towards the connecting door between the master's bedroom and the room I am in. The room I've been spending my nights and most of my days.I have not been sleeping in our room ever since Ruby was kidnapped. It's a kind of punishment to myself for not being able to protect her enough. I stare longingly at the double bed as memories of our happy memories threaten to overwhelm me . I step towards the closet and reach for the handle, opening the door to reveal her neatly organized clothes, taking a moment to look at them.I pick out a blouse, holding it close enough to inhale her lingering scent. "I'm so sorry baby" I whisper into the silence,my voice slightly raspy from all the emotions cour
RubyI stared absently at the television, my whole mind in turmoil. In the space of one hour, I had thought about ten different escape options, and all of them had massive loopholes. "I hated it here," I said to myself; I had been doing that a lot more often these past few weeks. I froze slightly as I heard the telltale sound of the doorknob twisting and the door swinging open. And there he was, standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression that made my heart skip a bit. "Hello beautiful, how are you today?" "Fuck off!" I snapped, ignoring the fear twisting my gut. His face broke into a wide smile as he walked into the room and shut the door. "Always feisty, that's one of the many things I love about you, Ruby." I reflexively jumped up from the bed, not wanting him to meet me on top of it. "What do you want from me, Diavolo?" I asked, my voice surprisingly calm. He didn't respond until he was standing right in front of me. "Isn't that quite obvious now, Ruu?" he said while
RubyI lay still on the bed, a smile on my lips as I stared at the white ceiling above me. I’d sent Archer home to go freshen up, but not after teasing him that he stank. But to be honest, I didn’t want him going after Diavolo and causing trouble.I shrugged off the thought of Diavolo finding me. Even I wasn’t certain I was safe from him but I had to calm Archer down somehow. Put his mind at ease, at least.The thought of what Julia said about Diavolo hovered around in my mind.Who would have thought, someone I once loved with all my heart was a huge scam! No wonder papa never accepted him.I sighed and shut my eyes.The door opened and I turned towards it. Two nurses walked in, they were both dressed in green scrub. One had on a face mask that prevented me from seeing even the bridge of her nose while the other carried a little metal tray containing some hospital equipment. They both walked to my bedside.“Good day Mrs. Petraki” The nurse carrying the tray greeted with a broad smile.