Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 393

A lazy, low voice suddenly broke the tension by Ruby’s ear.

Gennifer froze. A large, veined hand clamped down hard on her wrist.

The grip tightened, forcing a startled cry from her lips. Pain lanced through her arm and she had no choice but to let go.

Gennifer anxiously inspected her skin—already an angry red ring was forming around her wrist.

Sylas Cunningham pulled Ruby behind him protectively. As if seeking praise, he winked at her with a mischievous grin. “Just so you know, I only followed them here for you. Not because I’m some creep.”

“Smart mouth,” Ruby shot back, glaring at him.

Sylas’s grin only widened, his amusement growing at her annoyance.

Their banter was the last straw for Hanley, who cut in with a thunderous scowl. “Ruby, don’t think you’re untouchable just because Mr. Cunningham is here. Delete everything you recorded, now!”

She’d tried every possible precaution, but Ruby was more cunning than she’d ever expected.

Hanley’s hands trembled with rage.

Ruby’s face was shielded completely by Sylas’s broad back. Sylas, catching the tension, gave a dark, mocking chuckle and clapped his hands as if issuing a challenge. “Oh? Thinking about getting back at my Rue, are you?”

He stepped back, one hand settling firmly on Ruby’s shoulder as he bent close to her ear. “So, which one do you want me to deal with first?”

His words were deliberately breathy, his mischievous intent clear as he let his whisper tickle Ruby’s ear.

The restroom was nearly empty. His voice, low but not quiet, carried easily to Hanley and the others.

Hearing the intimate nickname from so close, Ruby’s ears flushed a deep red. She tried to keep her composure, but the blush on her cheeks was impossible to hide.

She shot Sylas a warning glare, silently begging him to rein it in. Instead, he noticed her embarrassment and only pushed further.

“They’re trying to provoke me, you know. As long as I’m here, who could ever lay a finger on you? Someone ought to teach them a lesson. Unless… I’ve got a real knack for straightening out spoiled brats.”

Sylas’s gaze landed on Ulysses, his smile turning cold and menacing.

If he remembered right, that was the hand that had grabbed Rue’s bag just moments ago.

Violet, alarmed, quickly stepped in to shield Ulysses.

Hanley, catching the murderous glint in Sylas’s eyes, felt his heart skip a beat and softened his tone. “Look, Ruby, just delete the files. You’re my daughter too—I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”

“But I don’t recall ever saying I’d let you off the hook.” Ruby gave a careless shrug. “Besides, if I wanted to leave, do you really think you could stop me?”

The mockery vanished from her lips, replaced by an icy determination. Her eyes were sharp as winter frost.

“Mr. Veyne, why don’t you let a waiter show you to our table? We just have a few things to sort out here,” Violet said, forcing a bright smile.

But the man’s eyes never once flickered her way. His gaze was fixed, unwavering, on Ruby.

“What are you doing here with him?” His voice was gravelly, low but intense.

Ruby looked away, tugging at Sylas’s arm to leave.

Almost reflexively, Cassian reached out and caught her wrist.

Her steps halted.

But in the next moment, Sylas’s hand covered Cassian’s, stilling his grip.

He smiled, smooth as ever. “Careful, Uncle. You’re hurting her.”

Their eyes met in the air above Ruby’s head, the tension crackling between them like a current.

Cassian’s entire demeanor chilled, his presence suddenly overwhelming—until Ruby’s voice cut through it all and, just as quickly, his intensity drained away.

“Let go.”