Patchwork pixie, p.3
Patchwork Pixie, page 3
Rayden held out his phone and said, “Already done. Yeah, Marsh, she just beat the hell out of some blond guy. I have to say, if she hadn’t been listing his sins, I would have been turned on. As it is, my fondest wish would be to snap his neck. Well, eventually his neck.”
There was a pause, and a police car pulled up.
Tanner tried to struggle to them. And she walked to him and screamed, “Stay down, you sack of shit!”
He went limp.
The officers came out, and she smiled when she recognized them from that morning. The alpha stepped toward her. “Miss Lest, what happened here.”
Tanner tried to speak, but she growled at him, and he cringed.
The alpha officer looked surprised. “You are a little different from this morning, miss.”
“He is no longer my boss, he is no longer my fiancé, he is a stalker who came to me at my place of work, and then he took a swing at me, so I hate to say it, but he started it.”
“She’s crazy. She can’t stand that I was with her best friend.”
The beta officer helped him to his feet.
Ruby sighed. “There are three CCTV cameras at this corner. My version of events is easily proved, as well as the security camera from the chocolate shop that aims directly at this part of the sidewalk.”
Tanner froze. “That’s illegal.”
“Not here it isn’t. For someone who works in security, you should really know the rules.” She looked at him as dawning horror crossed his face. “Oh, and my phone started recording audio the moment your voice was heard. So, there. Care to make another false allegation?”
Rayden chucked. “You are a little spitfire, aren’t you?”
“I am tired of playing nice to soothe his feelings.” She glared at him.
She looked at the alpha she had spoken to that morning. “Am I under arrest?”
The officer got a call and answered it. He paused. “We know where you are. Your family has assured us that you cannot leave town.”
“That’s true.” She smiled. “May I return to work?”
“Yes. We will take a statement in a few hours.”
“I am here for two more hours, and then I will be back at home.”
The alpha nodded and made a note on his little notepad. “Miss, do you need any medical attention?”
She looked at her hand, flexed it, and said, “No. I wear gloves to work, so the split knuckles will be fine.”
Tanner was cuffed and thrown into the back of the squad car, shouting orders and protesting.
Ruby looked at the male officer. “Oh, Beth is pressing charges.”
“She brought in the wedding dress as well. There is no mistaking what took place.”
Ruby sighed. “I am going to sue his ass for that dress. It was expensive.”
The alpha grinned. “Go get him. You can call us for a copy of the report.”
“My lawyer will probably do that.”
Rayden nodded. “He will.”
“Right, well, I need to do some work today. I have to earn my keep.” She flexed her hand and grimaced.
Mark came out and asked the officers, “Is she free to go?”
They nodded, and she was given a card with an incident number on it. She tucked it into her black pants and nodded. “Thank you. I promise to be readily accessible.”
The alpha officer smiled slowly, and Rayden cleared his throat.
Mark turned her and bustled her back to the employee entrance. She waved farewell to Rayden and went back into her chocolate-scented haven. Her knuckles were iced, and she had to tell the story to the regular staffers, who got irate on her behalf.
After story time, she went back to the display station, tuned everything else out, and started on the list again. Now, it was time for hand-dipped caramels. She gloved up and got to work.
* * * *
Rayden watched her work with calm motions and a slight smile on her lips that he knew was just for the crowds. He heard the whispering in front of him and grinned.
“She’s back.” The older woman giggled as Ruby moved smoothly, and when she was done with a tray, she displayed it to those watching.
“Oh, do you think she will make the candy canes this year? She always does them so well.”
“I don’t see why not. I mean, we can ask. The grandkids loved watching her.”
“Well, if she’s going to do them, it will start soon. Oh, how exciting.”
Rayden asked, “What makes it so fun to watch?”
One of the older ladies did a double take and then said, “Oh, my dear boy. Her hands are magic. She can turn hardening candy into anything.”
The other lady looked and then smiled. “One year, she did blown candy in the shape of a chubby unicorn. It was so fun to watch.”
“That sounds fun. I haven’t been here long, and I do love these holiday traditions.”
“Where are you from, and are you single? I have two granddaughters who are about the right age for you.”
He chuckled. “I already have someone in mind, but thank you for the thought.”
“Pity.”
There was a tap on his senses, and he excused himself and went outside. Marshall was waiting next to his car.
“So? How is she?”
“She split a knuckle but, otherwise, in good spirits. I think beating him up was cathartic.”
Marshall chuckled. “I mean the compliance spell.”
“Oh. Gone. She had nearly worn through it from the inside anyway.”
“Did you feel a link starting?”
“Yes. She’s magnificent. Standoffish though. Most women would have been plastered to me with all the charm I used.”
Marshall nodded. “She has had a rough few years. She isn’t up for your normal blatant seduction and won’t fall for your basic charms.”
“Basic? Huh. Why did you call me again?”
“Because you could crack through that spell without hurting her.”
“Fine. Who is a better match for her?”
Marshall quirked his lips. “I am.”
Rayden blinked. “Huh. I thought you were a monk.”
“No, just not a himbo. She’s already had one partner screwing around on her while abusing her. You really think a bunch of ladies trying to claim you will go over well?”
Rayden looked back at the chocolate shop and then felt his face heat. “I think you may be right, but you know that if she’s a mate, I would move the world.”
“That won’t do any good if she stays away from you.” Marshall smiled. “I would have to find a different second. Maybe Corin. He has kind eyes.”
Rayden scowled. “She will run right over him.”
“But she will feel safe.”
Rayden jerked with outrage. “She’s safe with me.”
“Convince her, not me.”
“How? She wouldn’t even take my number.”
“It’s in her phone. I added it.” He smiled.
“So, how will you get her to allow you close?”
Rayden smiled. “I will take her skating.”
“What?”
“You know that project I mentioned?”
“Yeah.”
“This year, the hockey team is playing the trolls. So, we have practice every morning. I think she will enjoy returning to the ice.”
Marshall nodded. “Hm. Has she seen you yet?”
“No. Not completely. She may have gotten a hint, but most of her guessing was due to my association with you.”
“Well, then, I wish you luck. Knowing her temper, I will be able to charge to her defense on any number of occasions.” Marshall smiled. “Have a fun day working out if you think she is worth the hassle of ending your harem.”
“You know my response.”
“Of course, but in that case, you had better get to work.” Marshall walked around and got into his car.
Rayden looked at his phone and texted her a question. It was three minutes before he got the answer. He grinned and set about his next task. He had decided. He was courting.
Chapter Three
Exhausted but energized, she left the shop, and Mark walked her to her car. She didn’t know why Rayden had asked her about her skate size, but she suspected.
After today, she needed a hot shower, some takeout, and a good night’s sleep.
She drove home, and when she got there, she headed up for a shower. Working around chocolate and sugar made her skin sticky. She got out, dried off, and got dressed, then put bandages on her knuckles and went downstairs for dinner.
James was setting the table and smiled. “Long day?”
“I got a late start. The crew there is good. Everybody knows what they are doing.”
Leon came out with lasagne held between oven mitts. Derrik brought in the garlic bread, and Grey brought in the wine. Her spot was right where it always was, next to James.
She headed into the kitchen and got the salad. They were playing at being a family again.
She set the salad down, and Grey smiled as he put food on Leon’s plate. “So, I hear you had an eventful day, Ruby.”
“Yes. We will be caught up on production by tomorrow. Then, it is more of the fun stuff for the watchers. We can do some hard candy or caramel popcorn.”
Leon smiled. “Mark is delighted to have you back. He mentioned a little issue this afternoon?”
“Yeah. Tanner was there. Someone that Mr. Kensington had called was there and called him after I was done.”
James looked at her and raised his brows. “Done what?”
“Beating him. I waited until he took the first swing then I let go and had fun. Uncle Derrik, you will be happy to know I no longer hit like a girl.”
Derrik blinked and then grinned. “I am very happy to hear it. Now, who was with you?”
She took the salad and put a pile on her plate. “Um, his name was Rayden. He’s the same kind of Elite as Mr. Kensington.” She passed the salad to Derrik.
Grey asked, “Why did he send him?”
“Uh, to take the block off my brain. Now I can beat the shit out of anyone, boss or not.”
She got some garlic bread and then a piece of lasagne.
Leon chuckled. “Language.”
“Right. I had him on the ground and begging, and then the cops showed up and spoiled it, but weirdly, it was the same guys from earlier.”
“Guys?”
“Officers. The alpha and beta from this morning. They were the ones responding to the call from whoever called for emergency services.”
When everyone had food, they started eating. She hated salad, so she ate it first.
They ate for a few minutes when Grey said, “So, what is Rayden’s last name?”
She cleared her mouth. “I dunno. He does hockey.”
Leon grinned. The other three were outraged. It was her favourite way to get a rise out of them without saying anything. Being carelessly vague around sports was fun.
Leon kept eating. “That would be Rayden Aforth then.”
Grey was stunned. “You know who he is?”
“Well, Grey, he is very pretty.” Uncle Leon smirked. “Even in team uniform.”
The other members of the pack snorted, but Grey put his hand around Leon’s neck and then ruffled his hair. Her uncle grinned, and they kept eating.
Grey sighed. “So, Ruby, are you going to work at the shop for a while?”
“Yeah. It’s a weird time of year to sell, but I don’t want to go back to my place. I can go to a hotel if I am in the way. I know the agreement was for me to go when I had finished college. It is rather embarrassing to come back actually.”
Uncle Leon was stricken. “But you just got here.”
“I thank you for the save last night, but I am not trying to crawl back in. This is your house. Your pack. I’ll get the dishes.” She stuffed the last bit of garlic bread in her mouth and put her cutlery onto her plate.
Grey rapped out. “Sit and explain.”
She blinked. “You said that when I was moving out, I wasn’t to come running home if things got bad. Well, Uncle Derrik said it.”
Derrik looked shocked. “I did... but I didn’t mean something like this. I meant if you didn’t like your job or needed to call a plumber for your apartment. I never imagined this.”
Leon said softly, “She has a different scale for bad. The Elite hunted her. That would give anyone a different scale.”
“My life wasn’t in danger. I was just humiliated and uncomfortable. Work was good.” Ruby shrugged. “I am out of it now. Tanner will get his ass handed to him one way or another, and Uncle Grey is going to send me the bill for the lawyer.”
Grey looked at her with a frown. “He waived his fee.”
“He did what?” She was shocked.
Grey’s expression twisted into a smile. “He waived his fee.”
“I googled him at work. He’s pricey.”
“And yet you wanted his bill.”
“I pay my debts. You guys know that.” She threaded her fingers together and looked at them. “I still have to figure out how much I owe you for clothes and the skating classes when I was a kid. Uncle James hasn’t given me the numbers yet.”
James stared at her. “I didn’t think you were serious.”
“Have you ever known me not to be serious?”
Leon rapped his knuckles on the table. “Ruby. Stop. You have had a traumatic day and are on the verge of insulting us.”
She looked at him. “I will be quiet. I won’t get in the way. I will be good. I won’t cost too much. I will keep to myself. I won’t annoy my cousins. I thank you for your hospitality. I know I don’t belong here. You ruffled my hair and said sure. Did it change?”
James muttered, “I remember that. Leon laughed at it, but she had a list in her hands and put it under her pillow for a few years. I found it while changing her bedding.”
Derrik sighed. “You made rules you thought we would like.”
“It did work.” She was defensive.
Grey asked, “Did it occur that you might just have been welcomed here?”
She looked at him. “I could hear Leon begging you through the phone. You said no. He had to promise you all kinds of stuff before you said yes.”
His cheeks coloured. “You heard that?”
She let her ears shift. “What do you think? I heard every argument about me. I tried to just stay under the radar, get good grades, and not be noticed.”
Leon had tears in his eyes. “You were very much wanted here. We noticed it when you moved out. You are part of our family, Ruby.”
She sighed. “I understand that, but you had gotten rid of me, finally had an empty nest, so to speak, and now the cuckoo is back. So, she just wants to fluff her feathers and get out of your hair.” She looked at each of them. “Don’t get me wrong, I felt the warmth of your caring last night, but I have gotten a few emails, and it has been pointed out that I need to heal and get out.”
Grey grimaced. “Dane?”
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“I mentioned your situation to him, and he said Tanner was a standup guy. I informed him that we had video evidence to the contrary, and he told me that, of course, a guy like Tanner plays the field.” Grey sighed. “When I told him that enough evidence had been collected to make it a felony, he got quiet. When I told him who I hired to work with you and that he had refused payment, Dane got very, very quiet.”
Ruby asked, “Why is that significant? That Mr. Kensington refused payment?”
“He is a collector of money and beautiful things. If he refuses the one, he must want the other.”
She frowned. “Wait. What?”
Derrik said, “Mr. Kensington is one of yours. He wants to court you.”
“Mine?”
Leon said softly, “Elite, baby girl. Tremendous power and a lot of wisdom. He is a safe male to share your life with.”
“Yeah, that is what Dane said about Tanner.”
They all stiffened. Grey asked, “You were introduced to Tanner by Dane?”
“Yeah. He said Tanner was a nice, safe guy, and I would be lucky.” She grimaced. “I was not.”
James muttered, “I really want him dead.”
“He’s been arrested already. He’s also very pretty. Draw what inferences you will.” She smiled politely.
Grey had his phone in his hand and was typing with his thumb.
Ruby’s phone buzzed, and she jumped. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting a call.”
Leon nodded. “Leave the table, but come right back.”
She pushed her chair back and went to take the call in the front room. “Hello?”
“You didn’t answer my second text, little girl.” The low purr of Rayden’s voice coursed over her.
“Second text? I have been a little preoccupied.”
“I see. I wanted to know if you wanted to go skating at five tomorrow morning?”
She blinked. “Really?”
“Yes. We are doing our rehearsals at six, so five is the perfect time to get an hour in tomorrow.”
Ruby swallowed. “Where?”
He chuckled. “Seykord Arena.”
“At five?”
“Yes. Consider this a simple meeting of friends. I am wanting to verify my handiwork.”
“Uh-huh. I haven’t been on ice in eleven years.”
“Then it is about time you return. Five o’clock at the Seykord Arena.”
“Morning at Seykord Arena.” She nodded. “Wow, this takes me back.”
“You have been there before?”
“Occasionally. See you tomorrow.” She smiled and ended the call.
Ruby was still smiling when she went back to the table where the family was scowling.
James asked, “Did something happen?”
She smiled. “I am going skating tomorrow at five in the morning.”
The uncles jolted.
Leon asked, “I thought you didn’t like skating anymore after you had to back out?”
“I still love it; I just couldn’t go out without folks saying what a shame it was that I didn’t enter the Olympics.” She sat back down but was vibrating with excitement.
