Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 218

Ruby’s face was wrenched violently to the side, forced into direct line with a pair of cold, venomous eyes.

Those muddy eyes brimmed with malice.

A chill shot through her. The raw hostility in that gaze made her nerves go taut—yet Ruby racked her brain and couldn’t think of a single person she’d wronged since getting out of prison.

“So, you’re the wife of Cassian—the richest man in the city?”

The driver’s fist clenched tightly in her hair, forcing her head back until the skin at her temple creased. There was a manic gleam in his eyes.

At his words, recognition finally dawned. Ruby realized this man was the taxi driver she’d met at the Northridge Manor celebration.

She stared at his narrow, piggish eyes, half-swallowed by the fat of his cheeks, and terror crashed over her.

She’d read enough news stories about passengers being targeted by vengeful cab drivers; cases like that seemed to pop up all the time.

A cold sweat crept down her spine. Swallowing hard, Ruby fought to keep her composure, clinging to the last shreds of calm.

“What do you want?” she managed, voice trembling despite her best efforts. “This is a gated community. The whole area’s covered by security cameras.”

The driver’s eyes bulged, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You really think I’m that stupid? The cameras at the gate are just for show. Just like you. A stuck-up bitch in designer clothes, thinking you can fool me?”

Ruby froze, instinctively glancing toward the security camera Cassian had specially installed for her.

When it was first put in, the little red light had always made her uneasy, like some mechanical eye always watching. But now—now, she realized with a jolt—that light was off. The camera was dead.

A flood of emotion welled up in her throat—confusion, fear, a sour ache she couldn’t name.

Before she could process it, the driver’s grip tightened. He dragged her toward his car, trying to force her inside.

Panic flared. Ruby opened her mouth to scream, but the driver anticipated her move and clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Mmmph—!”

Her pupils shrank in terror as she struggled, but the strength difference was overwhelming.

The driver grew anxious as her resistance mounted. He scanned the quiet street, and, seeing no one, only gripped her harder, venting all his bitterness about the gulf between their stations.

Red marks bloomed on Ruby’s pale cheeks, and her delicate face turned even whiter.

Her muffled whimpers filled the air, but the driver only grew bolder, muttering curses under his breath.

Suddenly, a sleek black Maybach pulled up nearby.

Ruby’s eyes flew wide, but the hand over her mouth kept her silent, blocking any hope of calling for help.

All she could do was watch helplessly as Cassian and Gennifer stepped out of the car together, walking side by side toward the doors of Northridge Manor.

She shot him a playful, reproachful look, hand to her mouth.

Cassian’s brows shifted slightly, but he said nothing, letting his long lashes hide the depth of his thoughts.

He led Gennifer through the halls to Ruby’s bedroom.

A gift box still sat outside the door, forgotten.

Cassian stopped at the box. “I’d ordered a dress for you—something custom from the brand’s flagship. I was planning to give it to you after the party, but you changed before I had the chance.”

He nudged the box toward her with the tip of his shoe, signaling for her to open it.

Gennifer’s eyes widened, her initial joy at the word “dress” doused by the sight of the box—identical to the one Renee had described to her. Behind her surprise, a flash of anger flickered.

She glared at the box, her chest tight.

“Cassian, why was my gift left outside your wife’s room?”

“I had it custom-made—totally unique. But I wasn’t sure it would suit you, so I asked Ruby to take a look first. She knows fashion better than anyone.”

Gennifer’s lips tightened, her eyes never leaving the box.