Page 81 of Rebel's Fairytale

Chapter twenty-five

The Next Day… Ruby

Itwastimeforher to return to work. Ruby wasn’t about to let some vandals keep her from her life. She loved her job, and she was going to keep doing it. She loved Rebel, and she wasn’t about to let these idiots put him down. Ruby loved her new family, and she would stand by them. With her head held high and those thoughts in her head, Ruby entered the library.

Before getting to work, she went down the hall to Debbie’s office. She wasn’t surprised to see the woman behind her desk. Until things calmed down, Ruby suspected Debbie would be a constant presence on her shifts. Any meetings Debbie had would happen when Ruby wasn’t working or would happen at the library until further notice.

Ruby didn’t give a damn. She wasn’t doing anything where she would need to worry about who was watching, and she knew that Debbie wasn’t there tokeep an eye on her.

“Hey Bri,” Debbie said and gave her a soft smile. “Welcome back.”

Ruby leaned against the door jamb and smiled back. “Hey. What’s going on with the investigation?”

Debbie nodded. “They found the guy. Niles something or other. Not sure what his connection to you or Sharon is, yet, but Detective Wilson said he was looking into it. Unfortunately, the man is out on bail, but at least we know who he is.”

“Niles?”

“Yeah.” Debbie sighed. “I heard about some other spray paint vandalism around town. This isn’t specific to us. They know he didn’t do that tagging, but I didn’t hear this from the detective. I heard this at the grocery store, so I dunno.”

Ruby sighed. “It happened. The connection is the Howlers. I don’t know who this Niles person is, but I’ll mention it to Rebel.”

“Bri,” Debbie began and looked away from Ruby, “I want to ask you to reconsider—“

“With all due respect, Debbie, I’m not ending a relationship in my life just because a small group of townspeople have a problem with my choice of partner.” Ruby straightened. “If the same group came into the library and demanded you end your marriage with your partner, would you even consider ending it or going on leave from work over it?”

Debbie shook her head. “No. You are correct. Sorry.”

Ruby gave a nod. “I’m going to work now.”

“I’m here if you need me.”

Another nod, then Ruby headed out to the main area of the library. On the way back to her desk, she sent a quick text to Rebel.

>The spray paint guy was arrested. Name is Niles something. He’s out on bail.<

Rebel

Helping Axle and some of his other brothers with setting up the carnival, Rebel didn’t immediately check Ruby’s text. About ten minutes after he heard the notification, he pulled his gloves off his hands and grabbed his phone from his pocket.

Reading the text, his brows drew together.Niles?Who is Niles?

Approaching Axle, who was talking to Siren, Rebel asked, “Hey. Do we know a Niles?”

“That’s what I was just asking,” Siren replied. “Niles Flynn.”

“Why?” Axle looked from Rebel to Siren, a scowl on his face.

“He vandalized the library,” Rebel said.

Siren nodded. “Was arrested with the spray paint in his possession. He’s been released on bail.”

“What did you say his name was?”

They all looked over at Rock. Siren was the one to answer. “Niles Flynn.”

Rock started cursing up a storm as Axle, Siren, and Rebel just watched and waited. When he was done, he told them, “He’s Diamond’s ex.”

“Fuck,” Axle cursed.

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