Page 5 of Shattered Souls
Unable to sit in this office that stinks of failure and desperation any longer, I tap my fingers against the desk and get to my feet. “Keep me posted.”
Dax nods. “You know I will.”
With that, I exit the office. Passing the bar, I lift a hand in farewell to Xander and Rome, who are stocking out before I step outside. The fresh air does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. Nothing will until I can see Aurora safely ensconced in Riley’s arms.
Climbing into my truck, I pull onto the road and head to my second destination of the day. I’d said we shouldn’t interrogate Lydia yet, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pay her a visit. After all, she doesoweme for my time and services.
The drive to Springview passes in a blur. I’m too lost in my thoughts, barely paying attention to the junctions and turns, until I park outside her house.
A moving van is parked at the curb, partly full of boxes.Guess Bertram was telling the truth about her moving in with him.I make a mental note to get Bertram’s home address from Grayson as I pocket my keys and walk up the drive to the front door.
A man wearing a jumpsuit with the moving company logo walks past carrying a box, lifting his chin in greeting. When I reach the door, I don’t knock or announce my presence as I walk inside. Boxes are piled in the entranceway, and peering into the living room, sheets have been thrown over the furniture.
There’s no sign of Lydia, so I move deeper into the house, using my knowledge of the last time I was here to direct me to the room I know belongs to Aurora—belongedto Aurora. WhenI step inside, I do a double take, wondering if I have the wrong one.
I pop my head into the hall, looking up and down, but nope, I’ve definitely got the correct room. Doing a slow turn, I take in the bland, cream-colored walls and the bare bed. Gone are the soft toys that cluttered it, the pile of games in the corner. The rainbow and unicorn design on the wall. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I’d never have guessed a little girl slept in this room only two nights ago.
Knowing Lydia so thoroughly eliminated Aurora from her life this easily makes my blood boil, and my hands fist at my sides as the need for violence raises its bloodthirsty head. I’m in desperate need of an outlet.
“Ruthless?”
Simply hearing her voice grates against my skin like sandpaper, and my restraint nearly snaps in two. Forcing myself to calm down, I slowly turn to face her.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, glancing nervously around before returning her attention to me. Even though she’s packing to move, she’s dressed to the nines in cream linen pants and a tight tank top that can barely restrain her fake tits. Her heels are silent on the carpet as she approaches, her heavily made-up face making me want to recoil.
“You double-crossed me,” I seethe, unable to hide the true extent of my anger as rage flashes across my face. Stalking toward her, I snarl, “I don’t take kindly to people messing me about,Lydia.”
Her eyes round as she takes a step backward. “I-I didn’t. That’s not what—I didn’t mean to.” Her hands come up, palms facing me as if to stop me from hitting her. Like I’d even want to fucking touch her.
My gaze narrows as I allow Ruthless’s true personality to surface. Menace leaks from my pores, and violence brims in myeyes. “You knew exactly what you were doing when you agreed to my price. Then you went behind my back to another buyer—abuyeryou never told me was involved.”
“I-I’m sorry,” she stutters, visibly shaking. She might be afraid, but she’s sure as fuck not sorry. But she will be. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day, I’m going to eviscerate this bitch. I will destroy her so thoroughly that she’ll regret crossing me. Regret ever saying a negative word to Riley. Regret the day she decided to keep her daughter instead of giving her up for adoption and at least offering her a chance at finding a loving family.
“I don’t work for free, Lydia,” I snap in her face. I don’t give two shits about her money, but it’s the only justifiable reason why Ruthless would be in her house, so I have to play the part.
“O-of course.” Her gaze drops over me, and despite her fear, heat flares in her eyes, and her tongue flicks out to wet her lips.
Mine curl in disgust. “If you think I’d fuck a two-bit, plastic-filled, dried-up whore after what you did, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Any desire is immediately snuffed out, righteous indignation replacing it as her nostrils flare in anger. “You can’t talk to me that way in my house!”
I step forward so I’m towering over her. “Choose your next words wisely unless you’re eager to find out what shade the carpet turns when it’s drenched in your blood. I may be a criminal, but I value loyalty and honesty.” My gaze drops over her, lips twisted in derision. “You have neither. Frankly, I’ve killed men for less.”
Visibly shaking, Lydia drops her eyes. “I-I’ll get you your money.”
“There you go, that wasn’t so hard,” I purr condescendingly. “I’d suggest throwing in a substantial tip to compensate for your poor decision-making.”
When she turns toward the door, I do a final sweep of the room, hating that there isn’t anything of Aurora’s I can bring home to Riley before reluctantly following her.
“Moving?” I ask, stating the obvious as I trail her into the kitchen. “Guess you’ve got enough money now to start your life over.”
She doesn’t supply any information, probably not wanting me to know anything more about her life than I already do. Pulling open a drawer, she lifts out a checkbook and cuts me a sizable check.
“So, will you ever tell me who my competitor was?” I’m careful to make my tone blase, as though I’m merely curious about who I lost out to.
Her lips thin in smug victory as she huffs a haughty laugh. “It’s just business, Ruthless.” She shrugs, having no idea how close I am to grabbing her by the throat and pinning her to the wall until her pulse stops hammering beneath my palm. “You win some; you lose some.” The sound of her check being ripped out is deafening in the silent room before she holds it out to me. “Seems to me like you’re still coming out on top.”
Her phone chooses that moment to light up with an incoming call. Flicking my gaze toward the screen, I notice Riley’s name. Lydia barely spares it a glance before silencing the call and setting her phone screen side down.
