Royal Desire (The Manor #3)

Prologue

Ruby

“It’s bad ... so bad there’s no way I can stay. It doesn’t matter how much I want to. Heck, nothing matters right now other than getting far, far away from here.”

“Child.” Her tone hits me like a warm hug.

It almost feels like home. The thought of home terrifies me, but not as much as the current predicament I’ve been thrown into.

“I’ve been begging you to come back for years.

I don’t care what brings you to me, but I hate that it’s this.

I wish I could help you out of that cesspool. Do you need money?”

“I don’t think so.” I throw an armful of clothes into a bag as I jump.

A car door slams, and the noise vibrates through the thin windows that sit on the sidewalk from my basement apartment.

I peek through the closed blinds, but don’t see anyone I recognize.

Damn. I need to go. I can’t afford to stay here another hour.

“When I figure out my plans, I’ll let you know.

Stay by your phone. I’ll find a way to get hold of you. ”

“I’ll send you money. No, I’ll give you the credit card number I keep for emergencies. I’ve never used it, but if anything is an emergency, it’s this.”

“I’ve got enough cash. I went to the bank and drained my accounts. He’s too powerful and has too many connections. He doesn’t know about you or Winslet. At least there’s that. I should have enough to make it across the country.”

“I don’t like this, Ruby. I don’t like it one bit.” Her fear bleeds through the line. I wish I had it in me to make her feel better, but I’m too busy talking myself into the fact I can actually skip town and make it out alive.

“I’ll be okay. I have no other choice, right? And I’ll be there soon. I hope in a few days.”

“You bet your bottom you will be. You’ll be right back where you belong. And when you get here, you’ll be just fine. You’ll be safe. We’ll make sure of it.”

I’d laugh at that if I had the time or wherewithal. The fact my grandmother thinks she or my little brother can keep me safe is a joke.

“Be careful Ruby-doll. I know you will. You’re strong and smart. You made it in that big, dirty city for all these years until this knocked you down. You’ll be just fine when you get back here. Our sleepy little town will keep you safe.”

Great. I’ve got Grandma, my little brother, and the place I escaped from at my back. I’d ask what in the hell could go wrong, but I know. I’ll be trading the deadly kind of drama for the kind full of angst and heartache.

“Hurry back to us. Come home where you belong.”

“I’ll try, Grandma. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I disconnect, throw my cell on my twin bed, and finish stuffing my backpack until the zipper is about to pop. I need to move fast. If he comes here looking for me, I don’t want to tip him off that I skipped town.

I plug my cell in to charge but hide the cord and tuck the phone under my mattress. I thought the last straw was yesterday when I found out he was tracking me.

It turns out that wasn’t even close to the last straw.

That happened this morning.

It’s the only thing that could force me back to a place I swore I would never go.

Home.

Winslet.