too. As I watch Ruby standing in her window, I want to pull her from the tower she's been imprisoned in and run away with her. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is self-control, and I’ll abide by the plan already in action. I’ll do right by her so she never has a reason to doubt me or think I'm anything like her father.
Today, I had to see her, put my eyes on her to calm and remind myself that she’s okay. She’s safe. That’s what I need right now. No matter how much pain it causes me to see her like this, I need her safe above all else.
She looks so damn beautiful. Every time I see her, I swear she’s more stunning. Even all those years ago, before I knew what it meant, she was so breathtaking that my heart would stop when I saw her. Back then, my pulse raced being near her, and I couldn't stay away.
Even today, she takes my breath away with her fiery red hair rivaling her temper. That temper will be her saving grace, but she doesn't know it yet.
I’m a few years older than Ruby and had just turned sixteen when her brother was killed. It was then she was taken from me, and I thought I was going to lose my mind. But I knew who her father was and what he was capable of. Spending time with Ruby each day also gave me a sneak peek into his dealings, but I didn't know how to use it against him.
Then, like God himself was talking to me, I had a dream one night. Play the long game. Play by her dad's rules. The path was laid out before me, and I took it. I stepped in and built my family under the nose of the made men fighting to dismantle the people who killed Ruby's brother. They were so focused on each other that they didn't notice me until it was too late. Until I was too big for them to stop me. Until I had several of their top guys on my side. And now I have several men undercover in the Russo family, including the guard at her door who keeps tabs on everything Ruby does and has orders to get her anything her heart desires.
That guard gives me daily reports on her studies, her wants, and who she talks to. Anything and everything, and he’s paid handsomely for providing it.
My entire reason for being is to protect Ruby. That’s why I built my empire; for my fiery red-headed vixen. She’s also why I’ll destroy anything or anyone who gets in my way, including her father.
While I should be grateful her father has kept her safe, I’ll make him pay for the suffering he has caused her over the last few years. Every tear she’s shed, he’ll pay for.
My family is different in more ways than one. We aren't family by blood, and we don't deal in what I call dirty money. We don't sell drugs to kids, and we don't partake in the hard stuff. The drugs are simply a means to an end. There’s no better source than a junkie needing a fix. It's a great way to get the information I need to keep Ruby safe because a junkie will get it any way they can.
We don't participate in any sex trade like her father. No strip clubs, sex clubs, or sex slavery like the other families. We’ve often worked with the cops to take down people who force women into those types of places.
In addition, we’ve worked with the police on many things to help clean up the city and slowly take down the Russo family and the others. We donate a lot of money to charity, mostly the local children's hospital that fought like hell to save Ruby's brother's life.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, letting me know it's time to get moving. One last look at Ruby as she closes her window will have to last me for a bit. Everything will be in place soon if my little vixen holds on a little longer. I hope the reason will comfort her when I can't because I wish nothing more than to hold her in my arms and tell her everything will be okay. But I can't take that risk yet.
Moving through the shadows and the holes in the Russo security to get back to my car, I climb in. Then I check my email and find all the information I need for my meeting tomorrow morning.
The meeting that everything I've done has been leading up to.
If everything goes well, my little vixen will get the life she wants. If it doesn't, the Russo estate will be painted in blood before sundown.