Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 227

“Get her upstairs!”

Before Ruby could react, a man behind her swiftly wrapped two thick ropes around her arms, the coarse fibers digging into her flesh until she winced from the pain.

A heavy coat was dropped over her shoulders, hiding the evidence of her captivity.

Ruby sucked in a sharp breath, but before she could protest, her world spun. Someone hoisted her over their shoulder like she weighed nothing at all.

Panic surged through her veins, icy and paralyzing.

Her heart hammered against her ribs, the coppery taste of blood blooming on her tongue as she bit down to keep from screaming.

Just as despair threatened to overwhelm her—

A thunderous crash shattered the silence.

In the shadows, several figures—clearly poised to spring—froze mid-step, their eyes wide. They exchanged uneasy glances, slowly lowering the weapons they’d readied.

“Do you think Quinborough’s laws are just for show?”

Victor appeared out of nowhere, one hand clamped tight around the neck of the man who’d just carried Ruby. He slammed the brute into the wall, pinning him with a force that made the other man's face contort in pain.

The rough stone scraped the back of his head until he gritted his teeth, struggling for breath.

Ruby, still trembling, fumbled with the ropes. Victor’s strong hands helped her, freeing her arms at last.

She gulped in fresh air, the relief almost dizzying.

With her strength returning, she tore off the cloth bag covering her head. Her hair tumbled out in wild tangles, but her eyes were fierce.

“Who the hell are you people?”

Ruby straightened, her voice cold as steel.

The man she’d just confronted glowered at her, but kept his mouth shut.

Victor, all traces of gentlemanly polish gone, radiated a dangerous energy that filled the alley.

His grip on the kidnapper tightened. The man, already red-faced and sweating, began to turn an alarming shade of purple, his eyes rolling back as he gasped for air.

Ruby watched, unflinching, as the thug still refused to talk.

Victor glanced at her, silently asking for direction.

Suddenly, Ruby’s eyes widened with clarity.

“What’s your connection to the driver from two days ago?” She shot the question out of nowhere.

“What the hell are you—” The man’s bravado faltered. For a split second, Ruby saw a flash of fear in his eyes as he looked away.

She had her answer.

Ruby’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Still not giving up? Whoever’s paying you must be offering a hell of a lot.”

She stepped closer, her slight frame radiating a force that belied her appearance. “Who sent you? How much are they paying to have me killed? Well?”

Her gaze was dark, unreadable.

It was the first time Ruby realized just how much her life was worth—apparently enough for someone to keep doubling down.

The man swallowed hard.

“I just can’t stand the sight of you!” he spat. “You sold out Veyne & Co., got so many people fired, and now a convict like you still hasn’t been tossed aside? Cassian must be blind to want anything to do with you…”

Ruby’s eyes widened, grief flickering across her face.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to get under your skin—” Victor cut the thug off with a vicious kick, sending him crashing into the wall. The man crumpled, wheezing, unable to speak.

“Is that what everyone thinks? That it was my fault…” Ruby’s voice broke.

“Ruby!” Victor’s hands landed warmly on her thin shoulders. “Look at me. In my eyes, you’ve never been anything but the Ruby I first met. Don’t ever forget that.”

The scenery blurred past the window, then seemed to stop.

Ruby’s heartbeat steadied. At some point, Victor quietly let go, his fingers lingering a moment as if reluctant to break contact.

Still feeling the aftershocks of her ordeal, Ruby accepted Victor’s arm as he helped her out of the car.

“Gossip about you has been all over town lately. You sure you’re holding up?” Victor asked as he led her toward his private lab, his tone casual.

Ruby’s eyes clouded, but she forced a smile and shrugged. “Like you said, it’s all just rumors.”

Victor shot her a searching look.

She was clearly pretending to be fine, but he caught the flicker of sadness in her downcast eyes and sighed inwardly.

He didn’t push.

They walked in silence, but the quiet between them was warm, comfortable.

At the end of the hall, Victor swung open a door and gestured with a flourish. “Had this office set up for you. Hope you like it.”

Ruby’s gaze was immediately drawn to the crescent-shaped desk and chairs in cool ivory tones.

She looked at Victor and saw him grinning, proud of his surprise. “Go on, check it out.”

He led her closer. On the side table, a stack of pristine new books was neatly arranged.

As she scanned the titles, Ruby’s breath caught, emotion tightening her throat.

“You…”