Nathan enjoyed the sound of the ice as it clinked in the glass. It reminded him of the times he had with Ruby. He only drank rum because she liked it. In truth he preferred a fine malt. But it reminded him of the taste of her lips after she’d had a drink or two. He lay back in the leather chair as the fire crackled, indulging himself in the memory of their times together.
Annoyance washed over him as the door handle pressed down. He sat up sharply, ready to admonish Tweedy for the interruption because he’d told him he did not want to be disturbed. Tweedy Steve was a six foot seven bearded hulk. From his tweed jacket to his tweed-covered hip flask, it was not difficult to see where he obtained his nickname. Tweedy, Nathan and Ruby had known each other since school, when he had started a mini-fashion trend by stealing his dad’s tweed jacket to wear on a night out. Tweedy was not intimidated by many people, but he waved his hands in an act of apology as he entered the room. ‘Sorry, boss, but I thought you might like to see this.’
Nathan followed him down the stairs into the belly of the house. It was not a damp or dark basement, but a luxurious cave which contained a games room and several large CCTV screens around a circular table. It was made to be comfortable because security meant everything to Nathan, and his residence was watched twenty-four hours a day.
No expense had been spared in setting it up. Italian leather swivel chairs nestled into the mahogany tables, and in the corner, a stainless steel fridge was stocked with soft drinks, snacks, and bottled water. No alcohol was allowed. People had to keep a clear head in this room. If something happened on their watch there would be hell to pay. It also acted as a panic room. Behind a panelled wall were enough provisions to feed a family for a month, as well as an array of weapons for when times got tough. Nathan called it his bunker, and he’d slept a little bit easier after it was built.
Steve pointed at CCTV camera number five, which gave views of the flat Nathan had gifted to Ruby. He had them fitted when he bought the place, so Steve could keep a watchful eye when Nathan needed a hideout away from home. He and Steve were the only people to know of the address.
‘It’s Ruby,’ Tweedy said. ‘She got in about five minutes ago.’
Nathan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had not expected her to take him up on his offer so quickly, and he leaned into the screen for a better view. He was yet to admit to himself that he left the cameras running because he hoped to see her again. He watched her kick off her shoes and fill the kettle, locating the long-life milk in the fridge. His finger clicking against the mouse, he checked the other rooms and noticed the absence of an overnight bag. Her expression told him everything he needed to know. She was there because she did not feel safe at home. His first instincts were to go there and find out what was wrong. But he paused as he rose from his seat and forced himself to sit back down. If Ruby found out she was being monitored, she would never go there again. At least here he could watch her, keep her safe. Nathan turned to Steve, who was viewing with interest. He had a soft spot for Ruby, although he’d never admit it while she was in the police. ‘Thanks for letting me know; you can take a break now if you like.’
Steve smiled. ‘Cheers, boss, I’ll go grab a sandwich, if that’s okay.’
Nathan nodded in agreement, and turned his attention back to the screen. Ruby was tentatively going from room to room, checking the windows and blinds were tightly shut. She returned to the front door and checked it was locked. Once this was complete, she leaned against the door, taking a few deep breaths. Nathan clenched his jaw as he tried to exercise some self-control. Just what had happened to her? He thought about ringing, but what would he say? She knew where he was if she needed him, and there was a phone in the house if she needed to call. The fact she had gone there was a step towards accepting help, and he wondered if that was a step in his direction too. But how would that be possible? She would never fully accept his lifestyle, or the people he did business with, and he certainly didn’t fit into her world of law and order.
She continued to wander around the flat, touching the soft furnishings, and entering the bedroom. Nathan watched, transfixed, as she picked through the drawers. He still kept some of his stuff there: a change of clothes, socks and jeans. She pulled out one of his T-shirts and pressed it to her face, inhaling his scent. The cold front he had fought so hard to build began to thaw. Ruby folded the T-shirt back the way she had found it, and gently shut the drawer. She walked to the other side of the room to find the walk-in wardrobe, in which he had left a variety of new clothes for her. The tags had been left on so she knew that they were hers alone. Nathan realised he was barely breathing as he watched the woman he loved shake her head. She was fighting it too. If she was going to walk out of the house, she would go now.
But instead, she picked out a pair of silk pyjamas and laid them on the bed. She slid open some more drawers and found some underwear. Nathan’s heart began to pound as he realised she was getting undressed. His eyes roamed over the tattoo trailing down her back – a feminine version of his own. At least that was a part of him she would always carry. His arousal grew as she unbuttoned her slim-fitting trousers. It took every ounce of his self-control to switch the camera view to the living room. It was like tearing his eyes away from a work of art, but there was also something sleazy about watching without her permission. He had dated other women, stunners, who were the envy of all his mates. But the whole time they were together he compared them to Ruby. He longed for the curves of her soft stomach, her full breasts and firm shoulders. Most of the women he dated were stick thin and tanned within an inch of their lives. He did not settle for lookalikes. It was all or nothing with Ruby, and for the first time he realised that she had done the same with Jack Downes. He must be ten years older than Nathan – not a bad-looking man, but he bore no resemblance to him. Perhaps it was better that way. The thought of Ruby with anyone else pained him, and he knew he would not be able to control himself if she ended up being hurt. But people knew of their association, and would be too scared to cause her harm for fear of pissing him off. That was, anyone except his brother, Lenny.
He watched as Ruby padded into the living room, brushing her long black hair which trailed down the back of her white towelling robe. His mind ticked over, recalling the last conversation he’d had with his brother. The subject of his early retirement from the family business was met with outrage, and it had taken his mum coming between them to stop it coming to blows. Good old Mum. Living with Lenny must have brought its own set of challenges. Did he blame Ruby for his change of heart?
Nathan ached to join her, but he knew he was better off trying to find out what his brother was up to. He watched as she restlessly paced back and forth, checking the doors and windows one more time. At twelve o’clock, he watched her enter the kitchen and pull a knife with a ten-inch blade from the wooden block on the counter. Nathan frowned as she draped a tea towel over it and carried it into the bedroom. Pulling back the duvet, she calmly slipped it under the pillow beside hers. Then without warning she stripped off her pyjama top and threw it on the floor. Nathan touched the screen as she pulled his T-shirt from the drawer and slipped it over her head. He knew it was her way of keeping him close. He wanted to call her, to tell her that he would keep her safe, but he would have to content himself watching from a distance. She switched off the lamp, and the cameras flicked to night vision. She would be safe for tonight. But he would have to work hard to guarantee her future safety.