The Protector (Barrett Boys #3) - Jordan Ford Page 0,16
letter, have you?” I ignore her question, suddenly more concerned about my own.
“Of course not.” Her glossy lips pout. “The police want us to keep it quiet.” She flicks a shiny lock of black hair over her shoulder and points to the open suitcase on my bed. “What are you doing?”
“Packing.” I cross my arms.
“Why?” Her blue eyes flash.
They’re so bright and pale compared to the rest of her. I’ve never met her dad, but apparently she scored his eyes and striking bone structure, but her smooth, tawny complexion and raven black hair come from her mother. She is really beautiful. I get why so many people follow her. The number of stunning pictures she posts of herself—
“You’re not going anywhere,” Ruby snaps. “Castle said we have to stay put until it’s safe.”
“He said I could go if I take a bodyguard with me.”
“What? That’s crazy! Why would you even want to go? Some creepy killer is out there.”
I give her a perplexed frown. “The bodyguard was your idea.”
“I didn’t think you’d take me seriously!”
I didn’t. At first. But desperate times.
I shrug. “Like you said, the stalker’s probably not after me anyway.”
She raises her chin and nods. “True. Why would anyone want you? You’re the boring one. You never smile. You’re always complaining about having to go to these awesome events. I seriously don’t know what your problem is.”
I give her a closed-mouth smile, trying to disengage. We’ve been having way too many arguments lately, and I don’t want to ignite another one. Ugh. A repeat of last week’s meltdown would be the worst. The look of rage that crossed her face before she stormed out of the room… Shudder! I can’t even remember what I said to piss her off so badly.
But then she just keeps coming back for more. Waltzing into my room and irritating me.
She tuts, glancing down at her glossy nails and pouting. “Being Castle Shaw’s daughter is wasted on you.”
My muscles tense, and I just can’t help myself. “But I am his daughter, Ruby. His only daughter.”
Her lips flatline, her eyes flaring with wrath.
Whoops! Here comes that look again.
I can practically see the steam billowing from her ears. “I may not call him Daddy, but he’s mine too, okay? Our parents have been together for years, and they’re not going to be breaking up anytime soon. I know you’ve always hated me, but that’s not my problem. Soon, I’ll be the queen bee around here, and you’ll be vapor.” She snaps her fingers and storms out of the room, the staccato beat of her heels capturing her dramatic exit perfectly.
“You shouldn’t goad her like that.” Angelica’s voice wafts in like a soft wave—the classic jazz to Ruby’s pop rock.
I sigh and sit on the edge of my bed, covering the cheap T-shirts with my butt.
Leaning against the doorframe, Angelica threads her fingers together, her long fake nails clicking against her numerous rings. Soft waves of black hair frame her beautiful face, and I glance away from the concerned look in her brown eyes.
“I know she’s a drama queen and that’s not your style, but she really hates it when you remind her that she’s not Castle’s daughter too. Come on now, she practically is.”
I concede with a barely there nod.
After years of having different stepmother-types come and go, it’s a waste of emotion to attach myself to any of them. But Angelica has been around for a while, and Ruby doesn’t seem to be going anywhere either.
I sigh and mumble an apology.
Angelica is gracious enough to smile at my lame attempt. She looks over her shoulder down the hallway and murmurs, “This letter has really unsettled her.”
“I don’t know why. I think it’s just a ruse. Azim does too.”
Angelica’s head snaps back, but her hard expression quickly softens. “Yes, well, you could be right. But it’s always better to take precautions.”
I roll my eyes and start playing with the zipper of my open suitcase. “Do you think Azim will find someone for me?”
“Don’t you worry. You’ll be out of here soon enough. I know that’s what you want.”
The statement makes me feel guilty for some reason. But why should it? I do want to get out of here and go to college. Doesn’t every eighteen-year-old kid?
“Ruby wants it too,” I can’t help saying. I don’t want to be made to feel bad.
Angelica laughs. “She’s probably going to end up missing you. Who will she fight with when you’re not here?”