Chapter 6: Help!!

 Ruby’s POV

John’s eyes widened, just for a second. Then came the laugh—quiet, breathy, playfully dismissive.

 “No,” he said smoothly. “Come on, Ruby. You know me.”

 I stared at him, expression blank.“Why didn’t you tell me about her promotion?” 

 His body tensed, then he backed away from me slightly, as if by creating the distance between us, I wouldn’t pick up on him being that affected, then turned me to face him.

 For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

 I had a little hope that maybe… just maybe this time he’d say one truthful thing.

 I was wrong.

 Looking at me with sincere eyes, he said, “I was afraid you’d overthink it.”

 My chest tightened.

 He reached for my waist, his hand warm, familiar, uninvited. “Babe,” he murmured. “You know how you get sometimes. I didn’t want to stress you out.”

I looked him dead in the eye and saw the guilt he tried to hide. “Honesty is security, not whatever this is.”

He opened his mouth, probably to talk about Lisa’s big sacrifice, her tragic past, and how she’s barely coping with life. He always did that—used her misfortunes like a shield, an excuse for his own behavior.

But I’d had enough.

I turned without a word, my heart already retreating, and walked back to my room.

When the door clicked shut behind me, I stood there for a long moment, letting the tension slowly uncoil from my spine. 

My hands trembled, even though I was trying so hard to keep steady. I didn’t want him to see me cry.

I took a long, steady breath and reached for my phone.

The number was already saved. I hesitated only a second before hitting call.

A low male voice answered on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“It’s me,” I said, my voice steady now. “I need you to investigate my husband.”=

“I ended the call and sat for a second longer, the phone resting against my leg.

Then the screen lit up again.

Owen.

“Ruby,” he said plainly. “There’s a joint promotional party between EliteGear and the Athletic Development Council tonight. You’re attending in my place. Pete will be there. Shake some hands, represent the club, and talk to Pete about a possible collaboration with us. I won't take failure.”

I checked my watch. “When’s it starting?”

“An hour,” Owsen said. “Wear something that grabs attention, but don’t go overboard.”

I put on a fitted black dress, modest heels, and a silver watch, kept my makeup light, pinned my hair up, and headed out.

The party was lively—people talking, glasses clinking, waiters zipping around with trays. I spotted Pete in the back, broad-shouldered, with a sleazy grin. He raised his glass when he saw me. I gave a small nod.

Pete swaggered over, eyeing me like a piece of meat, his drink sloshing. “Well, hot damn, Owen didn’t say he was sending a fine piece like you,” he said, licking his lips. “That dress is screaming for attention.”

“I’m Ruby West, from E-Su,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Pete,” he said, stepping close, his breath reeking of whiskey. “Bet you look even better out of that dress.” He laughed, then muttered a filthy joke about “riding curves like yours all night.” His hand slid down my back, boldly grabbing my butt.

I jerked away, forcing a smile. “I’m here to talk about our brand deal.”

“Business, huh?” he sneered, leaning closer, his fingers grazing my hip again. “I’d rather talk about what’s under that skirt, sweetheart.”

I stepped back, voice firm. “I’ll send the proposal tomorrow.”

He chuckled, eyeing me up and down. “Fine, send it, Miss Prude.”

His gross stare and filthy words made my stomach turn, so I turned and headed for the refreshments table to get away from him. 

The meeting ended with Pete agreeing to review the proposal, but his disgusting behavior left me on edge. 

Not wanting to hang around for Pete to find me later I hurried out through the crowded venue. The cool night air hit my face as I stepped outside and took a deep breath to steady myself.

The party buzz still echoed behind me—music, laughter, clinking glasses. But once I turned the corner, the sound dropped away.

Silence.

I pulled my jacket tighter around me and started down the sidewalk. My heels clicked softly, steady at first.

Then I felt it.

That creeping awareness. The sense of someone behind me.

I didn’t turn around.

Not yet.

I picked up my pace.

The sound behind me picked up too.

Faster now.

I turned onto a quieter street. The shops were closed, the windows dark. No one around. No cars. No voices. Just the sound of footsteps—too close, too steady to be coincidence.

I risked a glance back.

A figure. Moving fast.

I didn’t wait.

I took off my heels and broke into a run.

The sound of footsteps behind me grew louder. Heavier. Closer.

“Hey—slow down!” a voice called.

Pete.

My stomach twisted.

I didn’t answer. Just hearing his voice again sent a jolt through me. The same who I barely survived at the party—now chasing me down a dark street?

I ran harder, breath catching, lungs tight. My fingers fumbled for my phone. I tapped John’s name out of instinct.

The call didn’t go through.

There was no signal.

The screen showed nothing but a spinning wheel. And Pete was still behind me.

“Come on!” Pete shouted behind me. “Let’s just talk!”

No.

Not a chance.

I veered off the main road, cutting toward the narrow gravel path that led to the edge of the woods. It wasn’t smart, but I needed to disappear. He was too close. Too fast.

I could still hear him—closer now than someone should’ve been.

How did he catch up so fast?

My breath caught.

I took the path into the trees.

Dark branches reached over me like claws. The woods were barely lit, just faint moonlight cutting through the gaps. I ran anyway. My legs ached, my breath came in sharp gasps.

My thoughts raced. 

If I went back to the open road, he’d see me straight away. I’d be too exposed.

But if I cut into the woods... maybe I could lose him in the dark.

He was fast—too fast—but the trees might slow him down. And if I kept going, maybe I could reach the back side of the company building.

There had to be someone there. A guard. A camera. Something.

I turned sharply and ran into the woods.

Behind me, Pete shouted again.

“I can smell you!”

I stumbled.

I didn’t stop to think—I kept running. Deeper into the trees. Branches scratched at my arms. Roots caught at my ankles.

Then—

My foot slipped.

I fell.

The ground dropped out from under me.

I tumbled down a steep ravine, rocks and roots tearing at my skin. My shoulder slammed into something hard. Pain burst through me.

Then everything went black.

When I came to, I was lying in mud.

My head throbbed. My arms and legs stung. My dress was torn. My jacket was gone.

I tried to sit up, but my body felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.

I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness.

The slope behind me was too steep. No way up.

I had to move forward. One step at a time.

I pushed to my feet, shaky, and started walking through the dark.

Leaves crunched under my feet. My breathing was loud in my ears.

Then I heard it.

A low growl.

Somewhere in the trees.

It wasn’t a dog.

It wasn’t fully human either.

It sent a chill through me.

I froze, turning slowly.

Nothing.

Then—

Hands grabbed me from behind.

A hand clamped over my mouth. An arm locked around my waist.

It was Pete.

His breath was hot against my ear. I tried to scream, but it was muffled.

I struggled, but his grip tightened.

I squeezed my eyes shut—not to block him out, but because there was no way out.

Then the growl came again—louder, sharper. This time with words.

“Stay away from her, you bastard.”