Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 479

She held out her phone, screen turned toward Ruby.

“Do you think he knows we’re tailing him?”

Landon scratched his head, uncertainty written all over his face.

Ruby’s expression was ice-cold. “He shouldn’t. But if we’ve found him this quickly, it’s probably just his car. He must be nearby, though.”

She zoomed in on the map with her fingertip. The location hovered right in the heart of town.

A deep crease formed between Ruby’s brows.

Who on earth kidnaps a child and then strolls around the city center, bold as brass? Just what kind of person were they dealing with?

She glanced at Fanny. The gravity in both their eyes was unmistakable.

“I know where he is.”

Suddenly, a low, magnetic voice sounded behind them, and a figure stepped into view.

Ruby’s fingers curled tight around her phone as her brows shot up.

“Who’s there?”

Fanny’s instincts kicked in; she grabbed Ruby’s arm, pulling her back protectively.

Ruby turned, only to see the one person she’d hoped never to run into again.

“Morgan Blackwood. Ruby’s childhood friend,” the man introduced himself with a wry smile.

Fanny shot Ruby a probing look.

Ruby’s face hardened. “What are you doing here? And what exactly do you know?”

“I know everything that’s been happening in Quinborough lately. I know about Hanley. And I know about you.”

Morgan took a step closer, his gaze burning into Ruby.

“The boy’s missing. I can help you.”

He leaned in, his breath brushing Ruby’s ear—dangerous and seductive, like a modern-day Medusa.

Ruby stiffened, feeling as if she’d been caught in a serpent’s stare. Each word he breathed seemed to flicker across her skin like a forked tongue.

She recoiled, goosebumps prickling along her arm.

“What boy? How do you know?”

Her voice was sharp, eyes locked on Morgan with steely suspicion.

Morgan didn’t flinch; instead, he smiled, almost smug.

That’s my Rue, he thought—always a step ahead, always onto me.

He was right. Morgan’s actions made no sense—unless he had some twisted agenda.

“What do you really want?”

Ruby’s glare was cold, her disgust for him plain as day.

Morgan turned instantly, but the sight of her defiant eyes made him tremble ever so slightly.

“You divorced Cassian. Come with me, Ruby. He can’t clear your name, but I can.”

Morgan had followed her to Stormhaven, never letting her out of his sight. He’d watched her with Cassian, the memory of her wedding night—the pain of losing her—burning in his mind.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

She’d loved him once, deeply. Now that she was finally free, he wasn’t about to let Cassian win her back.

So, threats or not—he didn’t care if it was shameful.

“Come with me. By tomorrow, I’ll clear your name. No more running in circles.”

Morgan’s gaze devoured her, hungry and obsessed.

“Why?”

Ruby stared him down, her eyes suddenly flickering with realization. Her heart missed a beat, but in a blink, she hid every trace of emotion from her face.