Riskier Business (Crossing the Line 0.5)(10)

Bowen finally spoke up, the barely leashed violence in his voice familiar to her. “Send her into a goddamn lion’s den and call it a gift. Classic Jim Elliott.”

“Watch it, Driscol.” Her father wagged his finger and somehow made it look threatening. “Remember, I’ve got your number. Don’t f*ck with me.”

Again, Ruby was taken aback by the friction between Bowen and Jim. The three of them hadn’t spent a lot of time together in the past, Bowen having stepped in as her protector when Jim left town, but she didn’t understand the antagonism there. She opened her mouth, ready to question it, when Troy’s fist came down hard on the table. Slam. Out of the corner of her eye, Ruby saw Brent and Daniel ease back in their chairs, attempting to appear casual as they observed the situation closely.

“If you two want to have a pissing contest, do it on someone else’s time,” Troy ordered, shooting both men a look, before addressing her father alone. “You expect us to believe you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart? You think she’s not smart enough to see right through you?”

“I don’t know. Ask her.” He challenged Ruby with a look she remembered too well. “Or maybe she lets her big bad cop boyfriend speak for her now.”

Troy cursed. Bowen snorted. Ruby ignored them both, feeling slightly resentful over their attempting to babysit her. She could take care of herself. She’d done it for years. No, this was her decision and the way she saw it, she didn’t really have a choice at all. It was very likely that Jim had an angle and wasn’t being honest. She could get up and walk away. Give up the chance, dangerous or not, to find out about her mother. Or, she could do what she did best. Hustle first, ask questions later. In this case, didn’t the reward justify the risk? God hates a coward, Ruby.

She braced herself. “When will you know the location?”

Jim didn’t look triumphant in the least, as if he’d been expecting her agreement. “Soon.”

“Ruby, you can’t be serious.” Troy turned in his seat, blue eyes blazing. “It’s obvious he’s lying to you. Don’t do this.”

“The cop is right, Rubik’s Cube,” Bowen seconded grimly. “You know I don’t admit that easily.”

“Shut it, Driscol.”

Jim leaned back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. “Well, well. Now who’s having the pissing contest?” His countenance went hard. “She’s made her decision. Live with it, boys.”

Ruby pushed back her chair and stood, so Jim was forced to look up at her. He narrowed his eyes at the power move. “Let’s get one thing straight, Jim. I know there’s something you’re not telling me. You’re a con and I doubt you ever saw me as anything but a meal ticket. I’m agreeing because I’m curious. That’s the only reason. Not because I believe your sob story about some misplaced sense of guilt. Nice try, though, Father.”

Troy moved behind her, placing a hand on the small of her back as they walked out of Quincy’s, Bowen sauntering a few steps behind. They were still supporting her even though she’d probably just disappointed them both. She brushed a hand down Troy’s arm, letting him know she appreciated his keeping himself in check. Although Ruby knew, without a doubt, he wouldn’t give a damn about her saving face once they got home.





Chapter Four


Troy made a concerted effort not to break something, even though in his current state of mind, every inanimate object in their apartment looked like a perfect target for his fist. Goddammit, he felt helpless. It was an unfamiliar feeling for him and he didn’t handle it well. He’d known going into this relationship with Ruby that she was a wild card. Her penchant for trouble and unwillingness to see disasters in her path were traits he’d had to accept in order to keep her. Troy didn’t regret his decision for a moment, and never would. His love for Ruby intensified by the day. She consumed him. She was his life. And when he said all those months ago that he wasn’t budging, he f*cking meant it. But right now, when that deep-seated fear of losing someone he loved came roaring to the surface, he wondered at his own sanity.

Last year, after losing his partner in a gun battle, meeting Ruby had been a cruel twist of fate. His vow to play it safe had been buried by his hot, clamoring need to have her. He’d never had a chance. Nor had that need even remotely faded.

He thought they’d graduated to a place where compromise had become natural. That at the very least, they would consider each other before barreling headlong into danger. Yet once again, she’d put herself in a potentially unsafe situation, without giving a thought to how it affected him. Just envisioning her in some seedy pool hall, surrounded by a dozen low-life Soprano wannabes, in all likelihood carrying weapons, made him break out in a cold sweat. Without hesitation, he would protect her with his life. But he didn’t like variables. He only dealt in certainties when it came to Ruby.

Troy watched as she removed her coat and hung it on the back of a chair. Her movements were slow, resigned, as if she’d reconciled herself to the upcoming argument. It pissed him off even more, her apparent belief that she could predict him so well. We’ll see about that, baby. She expected a lecture. She thought he would beg for the right to protect her? Fuck. That. He’d already earned the right. No discussion required.