Chapter One Hundred Eleven
Ruby
It’s seven days after the attack when I make it farther than the porch. Not far. Just the barn. But after nearly a week of feeling trapped inside my own head, it feels like progress.
Cold morning air brushes my face as Dad and I walk toward the pig pens.
“You dizzy?”
It takes sustained effort not to roll my eyes. “You ask me that every ten minutes.”
“Because you got hit in the head.”
“I remember.”
“Good. Memory’s working.”
My effort fails as I roll my eyes and shake my head. Not that I’d want him any other way. Coming home to Dad was the best decision I could’ve made.
The barn smells like hay, feed, and damp earth. The pigs start grunting the second they see us, and homesickness catches me unexpectedly.
Dad notices. “Yours are fine.”
“I know. I gave Bella a two-page instruction list.”
“Of course you did.”
A vehicle crunches up the gravel drive. Dad immediately straightens. Jake’s SUV comes into view.
He climbs out in jeans and a hoodie. “Morning.”
“Depends,” Dad mutters.
Jake joins us at the fence. “I’ve got an update.” My stomach tightens but I keep silent, letting him continue. “Greg’s alibi for the attack holds. Keycard records and witnesses put him at the gym.”
“So he’s cleared?”
“For the assault, probably.”
“And Brent?”
“Claims he was home alone.”
Dad mutters a curse.
Jake looks at me. “I need you to go over your last conversations with him again.”
I do, giving him the details I remember.
When I’m finished, Dad shakes his head. “Sounds like threats to me.”
“However, with no video evidence, there’s no proof that their alibies are valid.” Jake closes his notebook. “We’re increasing patrols around your house. We’ll keep an eye out here too.” He hesitates. “And Xavier’s place.”
My heart drops. “Why? What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Jesus, Jake.”
“The messages revolve around him, Ruby. If one of these guys sees Xavier as the problem, we have to consider that he could become a target too.”
The thought turns my stomach. Xavier getting hurt because of me…. No.
Jake studies me. “Emily told me you’re pregnant.”
I close my eyes. “Fantastic.”
“Did she tell Xavier?” Dad asks.
“No.”
The silence that follows says entirely too much.
“I know I need to tell him.”
Dad rests his arms on the fence. “You still worried he’ll feel trapped?”
“Yes.” Because once I tell him, how will I know if he chooses me or stays because of the baby?
Jake shakes his head. “You really think obligation is the only reason that man keeps showing up?”
I don’t answer. A week ago, I might have. Now I’m not so sure.