AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In my head, I try really hard to do the math. I have no idea how to figure it out in percentages, but the total number I’m looking at is triple of what I had before, maybe more. I don’t even know. It’s a lot of money.
“The investor you had was decent,” Devereaux continues. “But mine will be better, and lower fees.”
I look up at this man who is so incredibly polite and well spoken. A polished criminal of sorts.
“Mr. Devereaux, I… Why?”
“Because I always reward those who help me, Miss Santiago. Your assistance proved to be invaluable. And this is the least I could do for you. Happy birthday.”
My throat hurts from the need to cry, but I hold the tears back. While I am humbled by his gesture, I do believe that I deserve it. After all, I lost the man I fell in love with because of his scheme.
“Thank you, Mr. Devereaux.”
“I would also like to offer you my protection, Miss Santiago.”
Just when I thought I couldn’t be surprised anymore…
“No one will touch you for as long as you need me for.”
I get a bitter taste in my mouth. “If you think I’m going to sleep with you…”
It is now his turn to look surprised. “Maybe I should move on to my last gift to you. That way, there won’t be any misunderstandings.”
He stands up and waits for me to do the same. I get up from the couch, papers pressed to my chest.
“This way, please.”
I follow him out of the room and down a long hallway that leads into another one. I’m not sure how many times we turn before we stop in front of a massive door. In the corner of my eye, I notice people rushing back and forth. They look like they could be house staff.
“Miss Santiago, before we go in, I want to assure you that I did not cause what you’re about to see. So, please, no hysterics.”
I watch him carefully, with my heart in my throat, worried about what I might find in this room.
Devereaux opens the door and walks in before holding the door for me to enter. At first, I don’t find anything interesting about the room. It is just as luxurious as the rest of the place. But then, my eyes fall to the beautiful bed that’s in the middle. The shape of a person is under the covers.
“Go closer.” Devereaux presses a gentle hand to my back, propelling me forward.
The closer I get, the harder it is to breathe. I look at the beaten face of a sleeping man, and I can’t believe my eyes.
“Hawk,” I whisper in the quiet room.
A sob erupts from my chest. I try to force it down, but it’s too late. He hears it and moves his head to look at me. Only his eyes can barely open.
“Hawk,” I repeat his name. “You’re alive…”
“Barely, babe,” he groans.
With the envelope from Devereaux sliding to the floor, I drop my head on the bed next to him and finally cry. As if in a dream, I feel his hand gently patting my hair.
“Don’t cry, Ruby,” he begs. “I came back to you.”
“I thought… I thought you were dead.”
He coughs a little. “And I thought you’d be far away from here. You didn’t listen to me, Ruby,” he teases. “But I’m happy that you didn’t.”
“H-how?”
“The man behind you,” he grumbles. “He struck a deal with the club. They voted me out…”
