Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 1

Ruby Grayson stepped out of the prison gates and into the biting wind.

She instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around the bundle in her arms.

When the gusts finally died down, she carefully lifted a corner of the soft blanket, revealing a baby's rosy, cherubic face.

The little one gurgled, blowing bubbles, big eyes round and bright as blackberries, fixated on her mother.

"Good girl, Mira," Ruby cooed, her voice gentle and soothing.

Six-month-old Mira was calm and quiet; she felt warm and secure whenever she was held in her mother's arms.

In the distance, a bus rumbled up to the curb.

Ruby adjusted her hold on Mira and, after dropping a couple of coins into the farebox, found a seat near the back.

At that moment, a limited-edition Bentley glided to a stop outside the prison gates.

Inside, Cassian Veyne sat in the back seat, his sharply defined features accentuated by an icy expression. He looked as though he'd been carved from marble, eyes half-closed in thought.

Now, he opened his cold, steely gaze and fixed it on the gates ahead.

"Quinborough Women's Correctional Facility" was etched in worn stone above the entrance, the letters faded by the years.

Cassian glanced at the sign, then checked his watch with a flick of his wrist.

"Why is she still not out?"

His voice was clear and cutting, as cold as rain striking stone.

From the driver's seat came a hurried reply. "Perhaps they're still finalizing her release paperwork, sir. There might be a delay."

The driver hesitated, then added, "Don't worry, sir. Today is the day Mrs. Veyne completes her sentence. If she knew you'd come in person to pick her up, she'd be over the moon."

Cassian's eyelids dropped, masking the coldness in his gaze. "Really?" He almost allowed himself a sardonic smile.

"A year and a half ago, when she conspired with the Blackwood family and sold confidential files from Veyne & Co., do you think she imagined this day would come? She could have remained Mrs. Veyne, but she chose to play corporate spy. She brought this on herself."

He leaned back, the words hanging heavy in the air. "I wonder what face she'll show me when she walks out. If she dares to face me at all."

Cassian finally opened his eyes.

The gates of Quinborough remained firmly shut.

But, just for a moment, as the city bus passed, he glimpsed a delicate profile through its window—a woman bowing her head, cradling her child. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, concealing half of her face. He couldn't make out her features, but the tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable, as if she were looking at the most precious thing in the world.

Abruptly, Cassian's thoughts were pulled back to that night eighteen months earlier...

He'd been out drinking for work, too much whiskey chased by the echo of his grandmother's voice, insisting it was time for him to settle down and have a child.

He remembered her—helping him off with his shoes and jacket, wiping his face and hands, coaxing him to drink water, half-carrying him to bed.

And, just as she pulled the covers over him, he'd grabbed her slim, pale wrist.

"Haven't you always wanted to tie me down forever? Had my grandmother pressure me for a child, right? Well, tonight, you'll get exactly what you wished for!"

With that, he pulled her into his arms.