Page 13 of Recklessly Rogue

He frowns. "No way. Why do you have to go back?" He stands. "Is Ruby all right?"

I do too. I need the answer to that questionnow.

"Yes. Kind of. She’s…taking someone in."

"What the fuck does that mean?" I demand before Cian can speak.

She looks at both of us, then glances around the room. Everyone is listening.

"You can tell everyone," Cian assures her. “They’re all here for you and for Ruby.”

What is going on? I nearly shout, but I manage to keep my cool.

I can’t yell at one of Cara’s princesses.

Who is technically my boss.

Scarlett’s shoulders relax a bit at that. “A woman who knows Ruby from the bar has decided to leave her abusive husband and reached out to Ruby for help. Ruby invited her and her youngson to come stay at our house until the woman can get her legal stuff in order and figure out a plan.”

"No," I say firmly.

Scarlett frowns at me. "She’s not asking for permission, Henry. From me or you. She was just informing me.”

Too bad. “Why do you need to go home then?" I ask.

Obviously, I’m not going to let Scarlett go to Emerald. She’s on her honeymoon. This isn’t something Scarlett is going to deal with.

This is something her bodyguard will take care of.

Scarlett shrugs. “I know the guy. We went to high school with him. He’s definitely not a good person. I am afraid he’s not going to let his wife and son leave peacefully. And I’m afraid he’s going to blame Ruby directly."

"So she’s not safe," I say.

Goddamn it, Ruby.But, of course, she wouldn’t say no to someone asking her for help. Not even this kind of help.

Maybe especially this kind of help.

Scarlett grimaces. "That’s what I’m worried about."

"Then I’ll go,” I say easily.

I’m definitely going. I made that decision the minute I found out Ruby was back in Emerald and Scarlett and Cian were making at least two stops before they went back to Ohio.

"You’re going to go to Emerald? And you’ll do what? Protect Ruby?" Scarlett asks.

"Yes." Obviously. "I’m trained for this, for fuck’s sake. She couldn’t have better protection. It makes perfect sense.”

"Except that she doesn’t want to see you anymore," Scarlett points out.

I see the sisters found time to talk before Cian locked his bride in his suite.

Yeah, well, too fucking bad that she doesn’t want to see me. "This isn’t about that. She needs to be safe. We both know we’renot going to talk her out of doing this. So I need to be there to make sure she’s all right."

"But—" Scarlett starts.

"Even if you did go, you will not be as good at protecting her as I will," I say. “And if you and Mariah go home, there are two more people for this asshole to threaten. You, Mariah, and Cian will stay away until we get this woman and her kid settled. I’ll be there to be sure they’re okay. And Ruby, of course.”

There is no other way this is going to go, but I have to make Scarlett feel as if she’s a part of this decision.

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