Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 124

"So you're saying… Cassian might be suspicious about what happened a year ago?"

"And Cameron Lockridge probably has evidence that could overturn the whole case?"

Gennifer's voice quivered, a dull pressure humming in her chest, her heartbeat thundering even louder with anxiety.

Morgan didn't answer, but the usually teasing glint in his eyes was gone, replaced by a heavy gravity that spoke for itself.

Gennifer's face drained of all color. "Fine, I'll start digging around quietly. If I find anything, I'll contact you right away so you can decide how to handle it."

She lifted her head and looked at Morgan. "But you need to help me deal with that golden retriever, too."

Morgan let out a cold laugh, neither agreeing nor refusing, and gestured for the people beside him to escort her out.

"Wait."

He seemed to remember something, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Gennifer, who had just turned to leave.

"I've let you get away with your little tricks before, but this time, Ruby got hurt because of you."

His voice was low, edged with a chill that was more threat than warning.

Gennifer's hand froze mid-motion, and she swallowed hard, nerves prickling under her skin.

Staring at her rigid back, Morgan's tone turned glacial. "If you ever lay a hand on Ruby again and she gets hurt… Gennifer, you need to remember—you're not irreplaceable. A year ago, I helped you get close to Cassian. A year from now, it could just as easily be someone else."

He shot her a sidelong glance. Gennifer quickly dropped her head and muttered, "Understood."

After she left, Morgan powered on his laptop. The screen flashed with security footage from the park—Ruby being attacked by the golden retriever.

He waved his assistant over. "Find out which room that golden retriever is in at Veyne Private Medical Center. Contact the doctors and nurses in charge—have it put down."

His words fell lightly, as if he were talking about taking out the trash.

The assistant nodded and left to handle it.

Silence settled in the office, leaving Morgan alone with his thoughts.

On the screen, the video kept rolling. Three figures slowly became two, both with their backs to the camera.

Morgan's gaze lingered on the man standing next to Ruby, his expression darkening with an unsettling intensity.

Where did he come from?

An uneasy feeling gnawed at him as he stared at the young man, a sense of threat as sharp as the one he felt from Cassian.

And something else—he looked familiar.

A memory flickered just out of reach. Morgan's brow furrowed.

Could it really be him?

Meanwhile, Ruby was discharged from the hospital, Mira safe and sound in her arms.

When she returned to her apartment, she was surprised to see a stroller waiting for her at her door—a gift from the landlady.

"What are you doing here?" she blurted out, surprised.

The landlady caught her tone and relaxed. "So you two really do know each other."

She shot a sideways glance at the young man standing nearby.

She'd worried he might be a con artist, but the way he carried himself—unassuming in dress, but with an undeniable air of refinement—had made her uneasy. After only a moment's hesitation, she'd let him in, not daring to offend someone who might be important, though she'd stayed nearby just in case.

Now, hearing Ruby's words, the landlady finally understood.

Ruby pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated, but she turned to the landlady with a polite, grateful smile. "He's the one who took Mira and me to the hospital. Really, you don't need to worry, Mrs. Landon—you can get back to your day."

"Oh, all right, then!"

Relieved, the landlady didn't linger.

The weather was lovely and there'd been a constant stream of people coming to view the apartments; she wasn't worried about finding tenants.

She hurried off, glancing back at Ruby. She would've liked another look at the young man, but nerves got the better of her, and she quickly ducked her head and walked away.

No wonder Mr. Veyne had arranged for so many people to quietly watch over this girl. For someone who seemed so ordinary, she certainly had quite the crowd orbiting around her.

The landlady muttered to herself as she left.

Once the older woman had gone, Ruby turned back to Sylas, her expression weary.

"I am grateful you took us to the hospital," she said. "But showing up at my place without warning—don't you think that's a little presumptuous?"