Speaking Things Through

I follow him silently. "I have a question, Ruby." I nod at him, waiting for him to ask it. "From what I've heard, you never let Jake touch you when there was even the smallest amount of risk of someone seeing and knowing."

"I'm not sure what the question is." That wasn't a question, more of a statement. We stop when we hear noise from the kitchen. His hand pushes me behind him. I watch as he unlocks a unit and takes out a gun.

"Why do you have a gun?"

He points around us. "I've got money. It makes me a target. There's one in most rooms. Stay behind me." We step forward and hear something smash.

Then Jake's voice, Alaric, seems to relax slightly until we hear a woman laughing.

"Quiet before you wake them." Jake laughs, and I hear her moan. Alaric moves forward, and my hand grips his arm.

"Don't."

"That is damn disrespectful! He brought you here."

I nod and smile. "I don't care, Alaric. We're not together. He can do who he wishes when he wants to." His eyes glance towards the kitchen. "