Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 101

The driver's face grew tense as he pressed the accelerator, weaving through the night as fast as the speed limit allowed.

Time slipped by in a haze of nerves.

"We're here!" he called out.

Ruby all but leapt from the car, grabbing her suitcase and sprinting toward the house. "Thank you!" she called over her shoulder, her words swept away by the night breeze.

All the driver could see was the frantic silhouette of a woman racing away into the shadows.

It was nearly midnight. In the courtyard, the jasmine bushes had been watered one last time before bed, their scent lingering in the cool air.

Cassian glanced out the window for no reason he could name. The porch light caught droplets on the jasmine petals, scattering soft, dazzling reflections that made him squint.

A strange restlessness twisted in his chest.

He pressed a hand to his brow, switching off the lights and preparing for bed.

He barely had time to settle when—

Bang, bang.

A sudden knock echoed through the house.

Cassian frowned, looking toward the door.

At this hour? Who could it be?

Bang, bang, bang.

The knocking turned desperate, pounding faster and harder.

Irritation flared in his eyes as he crossed the floor and reached for the handle.

But the moment he turned it, the door burst open, and a familiar figure all but collapsed inside.

Ruby stood in the entryway, hair wild and face as pale as chalk, looking brittle as a winter twig.

For a split second, Cassian was stunned. "What happened?" he demanded.

His gaze dropped instinctively to the empty space in front of her.

Wait—where was the child?

This time, Ruby didn't pull away.

She was still trapped in the panic of a mother on the verge of losing her child. The wild, anxious look in her eyes said it all.

"Trust Bennett. He'll have news soon."

"No."

Ruby turned to him, her gaze fierce and unwavering. "Lend me a car. I'm going to look myself."

Cassian met her eyes—a blade-sharp stare that made his chest tighten.

He frowned. "Are you sure? It's late. You shouldn't be out alone—"

"Give me the keys!" she snapped, yanking his collar tighter, her eyes blazing.

For all her ferocity, Cassian could see her hands trembling, her strength undercut by a raw, fragile desperation.

He hesitated only a moment before giving in. "I'm coming with you."

He covered her hand with his own, gently pried her grip loose, and led her toward the garage.