Ruby Ink (Clairmont Series Novel Book 1) (23 page)

“You fucking psychopath.”

“That’s rather harsh language,” he said, looking truly hurt. “But I suppose given the surprise, a learning curve is to be expected. Our wedding, it’s going to be such an elegant, intimate affair.”

“And for how long could you keep up that pretense, being married to me?” she asked, incredulous. “Whatever it does to Aaron, how long could you possibly want that to be your life?

“How long?” he repeated. “Well, for how long do you suppose Aaron Clairmont will be in love with you?”

She felt her mouth bend to a frown, tears welling.

“Exactly,” Stefan said. “See, I’m not so crazy after all. Aaron falling out of love with you… I did my research. I’m thinking hell has a far better chance of freezing over. And while I appreciate the concern regarding my happiness, you needn’t bother. Don’t think for a moment our commitment will keep me from enjoying life—now or in the future.”

“You… you can’t do it. You can’t make me marry you.”

“I’m quite sure I can. Don’t you remember
‘what I can demand,’
it’s where this conversation started.” Stefan finished his drink, his hand taking a triumphant swipe across his mouth. “You can loathe me and curse me. You can spend our wedding night locked in the bathroom for all I care. But you’re going to go through with it, Ruby.” Her head shook hard, his voice drilling harder. “You will. You’ll tell him with a sad smile and a dollop of regret that you’re marrying me. You will unless sending your precious Aaron back to prison for another twenty years—of which I guarantee he won’t miss a day—and destroying his delightful siblings is a preferable option. Aaron took what was mine, what was most important to me. I’ve vowed to repay him by taking away the thing he values more than life—
you.
”

Aaron spent the night in the recliner again. He wanted to pretend beds didn’t exist. He couldn’t stand the idea of his—not without Ruby in it. Four or five, maybe more like a dozen times, he’d almost gone to Abstract Enchantment. He couldn’t. Aaron had to trust what Ruby said—she would handle it. It didn’t make waiting easier or the night any shorter. At the same time, unlike prison, Aaron allowed himself a shred of hope. Hope that soon the nightmare of the last seven years would be over. Hope that Stefan Gerard took it like the gentleman he claimed to be. But as Aaron abandoned the recliner, watching the sun creep around the edge of the earth and Lake Butterfield, his gut said he might be hoping for too much.

Honor met him out on the deck, handing him a cup of coffee. “Ready for today?”

She looked so damn happy, so excited. Aaron faced up to the new wave of grief he was about to dump on his sister. “Honor, I have to tell you something.”

She was focused on a gaggle of Canada geese, a less relaxed gaze cut back to Aaron. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing… yet.” Aaron sipped the coffee and put the cup on the deck rail. “Yesterday, I saw Ruby. We talked. More than once. It was intense—both times. We cleared up some things, and we realized things—important things.”

Honor set her cup alongside Aaron’s and braced for an explanation of
things
.

“To, um… to make a long story short, nothing has changed. Even with everything that’s happened, neither of us feels differently than before… well, before everything went down.”

Honor inched back. “Aaron, Ruby’s engaged to Stefan. She’s going to marry him.”

“Fuck no, she’s not!” He didn’t mean to snap, not at Honor. He was just so completely done with the world telling him how his life was going to be—whether it was to report for laundry room duty or his right to the woman he loved. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that. This affects you, Honor, which is why I’m telling you… Which is why I’m sorry,” he said again.

“I don’t understand. Ruby came here last night. She told us she wanted you to quit Abstract Enchantment because…” Honor stopped and her blue eyes narrowed. Her fingers trailed through her straight blonde hair as she mentally worked the pieces of their story. “It was a desperate effort to avoid you—to avoid what she was feeling.”

“Something like that,” he said. “Ruby’s worried about how Stefan will take it, what he might do.”

Honor’s hand slapped over her mouth, the other grabbed Aaron’s arm—a replay of how she’d held onto him at his sentencing. “Oh God, Stefan. If he finds out you’re the reason she’s leaving him…”

“He won’t. At least we hope he won’t. Ruby will be careful. She knows it would only make a bad situation worse. But it’s also a good chunk of why I’m telling you this. Honor, you need to be prepared. If nothing else, it’s guilt by association.”

“No, he wouldn’t… I mean, you’re right. Stefan is going to be upset, angry… But I’ve been working with him for months. He won’t take this out on me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. Absolutely… I mean, I think so. I may have misjudged romantic signs. But Stefan’s never been anything less than professional when it comes to our working relationship. Aaron, what concerns me most is you. Have you thought about the position you’re putting yourself in? That’s a hell of a risk.”

Aaron picked up the coffee mug, tossing the contents into the yard. “Believe me, Honor. It’s hardly my first risk when it comes to Ruby.” He looked toward the lake and glanced back at his sister. “Or even the most dangerous one I’ve taken for her sake.”

Honor had kept him in the Abstract Enchantment kitchen all morning. “Let Ruby come find you. I know you, Aaron. If she hasn’t told Stefan by now, she might be in the midst of doing so. You don’t need to get in the middle of that.” Aaron didn’t like the advice, but he knew it was true. He kept busy, assisting Honor’s whirl of Julia Child energy. There was a light brunch for Windamere’s early arriving executives, and Honor needed all hands on deck—including Chloe and Troy. One kept throwing flirtatious glances Aaron’s way while the other kept throwing him a death stare.

At one point, Aaron stepped out back for a breath of air. Chloe and Troy were making out near the dumpsters in plain sight. They didn’t notice him. “Jesus, get a room. There’s plenty inside,” he mumbled. The scene pissed him off for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was his brother’s continued bad judgment. But the make out session didn’t last. A short while later Aaron was hauling empty crates out back. Chloe was gone. But Troy was there, having a tight conversation with two guys who’d pulled up in a Lexus SUV. They didn’t look like they could afford to put gas in the thing, never mind own it. Aaron knew rides like that, and where the money came from to pay for them. Enough. He started toward Troy. Even from twenty yards away, Aaron guessed a badass prison look translated. The two street creeps sent tires screeching as they drove away.

“Friends of yours?” Aaron asked, standing inches from his brother.

“What the fuck is it to you?” Troy’s smug look challenged Aaron’s stare. “More like business acquaintances.”

“Only one kind of business comes in that kind of ride—not unless you’ve been to medical school. They didn’t look like they’d been to medical school. What are you doing with drug dealers, Troy?”

“Why? Are you looking for some action?” An angry gaze skimmed his brother. As Troy walked away, he yelled over his shoulder, “For somebody fresh out of inmate orange, you ought to keep your nose outta certain shit, bro.”

Troy made it halfway to the kitchen entrance. Aaron grabbed him by the arm, the two of them spinning in angry heat through the parking lot. Dirt and gravel and cursing filled the air. When the brawling stopped, Aaron had Troy pinned to the nearest vehicle and his hand gripped to his collar. He briefly considered Troy’s throat, making sure he had the little bastard’s attention. “I know fucking runners when I see them. What are you buyin’ Troy? What are you into—maybe a little coke for you and your whore to share later—which is another subject you ought to wise up to.” With his free hand, Aaron patted him down. His brow went tight as his hand came up with an envelope of cash. Aaron’s mind filled with panic and the past. “You? You’re the fucking runner? What the hell is going on, Troy? What are you dealing and who are you working for?”

Troy took advantage of Aaron’s stunned reaction and slid from his grip. “I don’t have to fucking tell you anything.” He snatched the envelope from Aaron and headed toward the kitchen entrance. “You really think I pay my way pushing pizzas?”

Aaron yelled after him, “Did you learn nothing from what happened to me?”

Troy spun around, tucking the envelope in the pocket of his jeans. “Hell, yeah. I learned everything from you. Whose rep do you think got me the job?”

Aaron needed to take one thing at a time. He’d shake the kid down later, call in Alec and Honor. As a unit, they could talk some sense into him. Hell, maybe even Jake would spare the time for his family. Jake. He’d called a few nights before—apologies, excuses. Words about a remote shoot in South America and a schedule that didn’t give him a second to take a piss. Aaron couldn’t relate to any of it, only the awkwardness they both felt. At the end, he did
hear
Jake. “Hey, I… I’m glad you’re out, Aaron. I’ll never understand what went down… We, um… we’ve been living in two different worlds. But I never stopped thinking about you… not for a minute.”

Standing at the edge of Abstract Enchantment’s kitchen, Aaron felt a pang of guilt. Jake had a right to his life. And present sibling issues aside, Aaron would soon have a right to his too. It settled his mood slightly. Having Ruby there, that alone would be a tremendous help when it came to Troy. He reminded himself again:
One thing at a time…
Aaron glanced at the clock. He was sure the minutes of that morning had ticked by slower than any others in the realm of time.

“Aaron, did you see Ruby?” Honor asked.

“Uh, no,” he said, the thought jerking him out of his funk. “Is she looking for me?”

“No, not yet. It’s just the look on your face, you seem upset.”

He took a breath and took it down a notch. From across the kitchen, Aaron watched Troy feign the everyday business of being his big sister’s helper, arranging food on a tray. Aaron remembered that state of mind, doing small shit to keep anyone around him from figuring out bigger shit. Shit that mattered. Shit that could get them killed. He forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just anxious. Listen, I know you mean well, but I’ve got to go out there, see Ruby. See what’s going on.”

Reluctantly, she nodded. “I’m amazed I managed to keep you in here this long.”

“Me too,” Aaron said, picking up a tray of napkins and cutlery.

At the edge of Abstract Enchantment’s dining room, Aaron surveyed the collection of suits, men and women. It was an executive blob of Windamere power. But mimosas and Bloody Marys were making the rounds, and the atmosphere was more party than a corporate meeting. That was a good thing. If this part went well, Stefan could fall back on his success. Aaron didn’t see Ruby. But he did find himself thinking about the suits—what those people had accomplished. Their wardrobe did a lot of talking. It made Aaron think about prison orange and what it said about him.

He heaved a sigh as Honor’s voice cut in. “At least look busy.” She brushed by, tending to some cuisine detail. Aaron shuffled into a corner, restocking a prep station. He glanced up and almost dumped the entire tray. Ruby was there, at a distance, the only non-suit in the room. She wore a slinky wraparound dress. It was a brightly colored pattern in a sea of conservative attire. Faster than a blink, she made eye contact—or he did. Even faster, she turned away. He abandoned the prep station and moved through the room. Strangers stood shoulder to shoulder. This wasn’t the place for the conversation they needed to have. It wouldn’t stop him. She startled as his hand brushed along her arm. “Ruby…” She turned and Aaron swore her chin quivered. She was tall in heels, and he couldn’t keep from absorbing the deep plunge of her neckline, more makeup than she’d normally wear. She took a step back, bumping into the man behind her.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. But Aaron wasn’t sure if she was talking to him or the man she’d collided with. “Aaron. I, um…” She tucked a thatch of hair behind her ear, the large diamond still dancing on her ring finger.

“Ruby, what’s going on?” He managed to say it in a whisper, though the words were screaming out of him. He really didn’t want an answer. Aaron wanted to grab her by the hand and leave Abstract Enchantment behind them.

“I… I can’t talk now.” A man with a camera called Ruby’s name, asking that she join them for pictures. “You should get back. Honor… Troy,” she said loudly, “they’re counting on you.”

Then she was gone, swallowed by throngs of Windamere corporate executives.

Aaron struggled for calm and looked for Stefan. He was making his way toward Ruby. Aaron shoved his hands in his pockets, an old prison trick—a steadying mechanism when you really wanted to rip some con’s balls off. Trusting that Ruby had a plan, that things would work out better if he kept his cool, Aaron retreated to the prep station.

“I’ll take one of those.” Vanessa Trudeau stood—or more like swayed—beside him, a Bloody Mary in her hand. “The napkins… Could I have one?”

He looked at Vanessa like she’d asked the question in another language.

“Hang on,” she said to the nearby waiter. She took another Bloody Mary from the tray and handed it to Aaron, securing her own napkin. “You look like you could use one too. Shouldn’t Abstract Enchantment’s assistant manager be joining the inaugural festivities? Why are you working kitchen crew?”

Aaron dragged his gaze from Ruby, who smiled vaguely into flashing cameras. “Helping Honor.” Vanessa was the only other color in the room, flaming red hair and a violet-colored body-hugging suit.

“Brotherly of you.”

“Whatever Honor needs. She’s, um… she’s counting on me,” he said, repeating Ruby’s words, which sounded like some sort of code. Aaron sipped the drink, staring in Ruby’s direction. But she’d turned her back, talking to people who didn’t matter. Maybe it was caution—of course the ring on her finger suggested she hadn’t broached the subject with Stefan. Aaron tried to be positive, find the benefit of the doubt. Considering the importance of the day, it could be that she’d agreed to a temporary pretense. But why wouldn’t she have given him a head’s up? Ruby’s stare was focused on Stefan, who was focusing on Honor. Their conversation was intense, even animated. Eventually, Stefan strode off, stopping near Troy where he slapped a hand on the shoulder of Aaron’s younger brother. He said something to him. Aaron narrowed his eyes. As far as he knew, Stefan didn’t know Troy. Aaron was back to Ruby. Her gaze was also fixated on the Clairmont siblings. Stefan continued toward her. On his way, he offered a slight nod directed at Chloe Pike, who peddled a tray of mini-quiches. Aaron scanned the scene, trying to match actions with intention, but none of it made sense.

His gaze froze as Stefan’s arm slid around Ruby. It was as if yesterday had never happened. Stefan leaned and whispered intently in her ear. Her expression was hard to read, as if all her energy was accounted for trying to control it. Stefan kissed her on the cheek. Aaron’s grip tightened around the cold glass of the Bloody Mary.

“Lovely couple, aren’t they?”

Aaron’s glance jerked to Vanessa, whose reaction didn’t read lovely. If he had to guess, he’d say her admiring tone was total bullshit.

She took a lingering sip of her Bloody Mary, her eyes meeting his. “And it looks like you need to catch up. Trust me, the third Bloody Mary will dull that pained look on your face,” she said. “Seriously, Aaron, what’s wrong?”

He forced himself to get a grip. Vanessa Trudeau, Stefan’s savvy business better half was the last problem he needed.

“I didn’t think Ruby would be joining this morning’s events.” He shrugged. “She doesn’t work for Windamere or Abstract Enchantment.”

“No, but she does belong to Stefan, and that’s basically the same thing.”

He strongly warned himself not to react.

“Besides,” she said, “I have it on good authority that Stefan will be mixing business with pleasure today. Seems Stefan’s bitc…
betrothed
is playing a part in his grand ‘Welcome to Abstract Enchantment plan.’”

“You, um… do you have a problem with Ruby?” Aaron said.

Vanessa’s eyes turned cat-like, taking another gulp of her drink. If she wasn’t drunk, she was damn close. “I don’t get the girl, or Stefan’s attachment to her. But mostly I have a problem with any female who gets between Stefan and me.”

“Stefan and…” Aaron’s head shook. “Meaning other than in terms of business?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, Vanessa gestured her drink toward the man in charge, who had moved to a podium. Ruby stood alongside him, her hands wringing together. “Shh,” Vanessa said. “I don’t want to miss this. If I don’t record my exact internal reaction, it will be impossible to convey to my therapist.” Vanessa put down her drink and pushed her shoulders back as if preparing for a moment. She glanced again at Aaron. “Listen, why don’t you come by the carriage house later? I’d love to fuck you there.”

His body jerked toward the remark, the tray of silverware rattling.

“Seriously,” she said. “My therapist would frown on the coping mechanism, but…” Vanessa’s pale eyes washed over him before moving forward into the crowd. “I suspect you could do wonders for my mood. It might even help yours.”

Aaron’s mouth gaped. Fortunately, a reply wasn’t necessary as the room’s collective attention turned to Stefan. At first he prattled on about Abstract Enchantment, sounding like a proud father, stating Windamere’s hopes for its model boutique inn. Aaron’s eyes never moved from Ruby. In turn, she seemed to be avoiding his.

“And now, on a more personal note,” Stefan said, “and because I feel it’s the perfect complement to Abstract Enchantment’s grand opening, I want to make an announcement.” Appearing corporate and svelte, Stefan smiled broader than in the moments before. “Many of you have met my darling fiancée, Ruby Vasquez. We had plans to marry next month in California. I’m afraid I must announce that’s not going to happen.”

Aaron took a measured breath, the Bloody Mary still in his hand.
Okay, here it comes… though it doesn’t sound as if…
Ruby’s blank stare inched from the crowd onto Aaron. Her onyx eyes were shiny. She blinked ferociously.

“Our California wedding has been canceled,” Stefan said, his arm embracing Ruby, “because we’re getting married here, on the shores of Butterfield Lake!” The crowd burst into polite applause and surprised whispers. “What better way to celebrate the opening of our beautiful Abstract Enchantment than with an ‘in-house’ wedding.” Stefan’s glass motioned toward Ruby. “If you’d all join me in toasting my lovely, soon-to-be wife.”

Aaron couldn’t breathe. There was only a dull awareness of glass shattering, shards sinking into his hand—it paled compared to what he felt inside. He lunged forward. There were only a hundred people and a banquet room between him and Stefan. A hand gripped like a vise on his shoulder, stopping him. Strength equaling his own bent Aaron’s arm back, locking him in place. A voice hissed in his ear. “Just be cool. You’re coming with me.”

At first Aaron was furious. Sometime later he knew he owed Alec a thank you. If he hadn’t shown up, they’d both be waiting for Aaron to be arraigned for murder. And this time, he wouldn’t have missed. This time it would have come off exactly as Brikk and Jerry had planned. Instead, Aaron stood across from his brother, who sat on the hood of his car at the basin of Lake Butterfield.

Alec had stopped by Abstract Enchantment to see how things were going. With the noise, the surprise, and the crowd pulsing forward to offer congratulations, no one had noticed Aaron’s outburst. And for anyone who did, blood was mistaken for spilled tomato juice. Alec had wrapped a linen napkin around Aaron’s bleeding hand and ushered his brother out a fire exit. Since then, they’d talked about what happened yesterday and that morning.