Chapter 4

four

. . .

Ruby

I spentthe morning scouring my father’s house, which was the home I’d grown up in. It wasn’t large, but it sat on a quiet street right on the water. It was my favorite place in the world, if I was being honest. Minus all the stress that came with being back in Magnolia Falls.

But when I tuned out all the noise and just let myself be… this was where I found the most peace. In this little cottage on the lake that had two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and a whole lot of love.

My father had always been my safe place.

Yes, he drank too much. Yes, he got himself into a shit ton of trouble without even trying.

But he loved me, and I’d always known it.

Felt it.

So, I’d cleaned the place up, stripped the beds, and stocked the refrigerator with food, as there’d only been a case of beer and a bag of shredded cheese in there when I’d arrived.

I slipped into my jean shorts and a tank top, as it was a gorgeous day outside, and I wanted to take the kayak out. I remembered the day my dad had brought it home for me on my sixteenth birthday. He’d had my name painted on the side: Ruby Rose.

I hadn’t been out on the water in years.

When I left for school, I’d been desperate for a fresh start.

I’d needed to get away from this place.

My mother had just divorced husband number three, and she was spiraling. My brothers were both out of control, and I was putting out fire after fire.

And as much as I loved my father, I couldn’t be what he needed. I’d had to pick him up from the bar night after night because he was drinking even heavier than usual during that time—and it all just got to be too much.

So, I’d reached for a lifeline and saved myself, because the fear of not leaving had started seeping in. The fear of staying sedentary like the rest of my family.

I wanted more out of life.

But my father was my weakness. It had always been the two of us against the world.

He’d cut way back on his drinking over the last few years and I’d appreciated it. He liked to say that he was a work in progress, and I’d tell him that as long as he was working on himself, that was what mattered.

I needed him to take better care of himself because he was important to me.

I made my way down to the dock, noting how worn it looked now.

I’d always been the one to keep up the house. Dad ran the bar, and I ran the household.

I trailed my fingers along the chipped paint on the dock and bent down to untie the rope attached to the kayak, which looked just as dingy as the dock. I climbed in and found the paddle, tipping my head back and letting the morning sun shine its warmth on my face.

The mountains surrounded me, and the smell of pine flooded my senses.

I’d missed this. Living in the city meant that I was always rushing. I didn’t spend a lot of time outside because I was always studying or working. Balancing school and work had been difficult, especially while writing my dissertation.

But I’d done it.

I made my way down the narrow path, maneuvering my kayak the way I’d done hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the years. Our home sat on a little alcove on the lake, and the turquoise water had a way of settling me no matter what was going on in my life. The flowers were in bloom, and the birds were chirping. It looked like something straight out of a Disney movie. If only it were this peaceful when I wasn’t out on the water.

I let my paddle steer to the left as I turned toward my favorite spot where I used to go and let myself dream about a life outside of all the drama.

A life where I could make a difference in the world, and not just in the confines of my inner circle.

But when I pulled into the little cove where I’d always found serenity, there was another canoe already parked there.

My eyes widened as I took in River Pierce, who stood out in great contrast amongst the scenery. There was nothing peaceful about this man or his presence.

He wore a black fitted tee, and his muscled arms were covered in colorful ink. His dark hair was wavy and unruly, and his eyes were shielded by a pair of gold aviators. His head turned slowly as I came to a stop a few feet from him.

“I didn’t think evil queens liked sunshine and water?” He insulted me without missing a beat.

“Where do you think we plot the demise of our enemies?” I purred, and he chuckled.

“All right. That explains it.” He was lying back with his denim-covered legs crossed at the ankles as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

My instinct was to leave, because I sure as hell didn’t come out here to make small talk with a man who irritated the hell out of me, and the feeling appeared to be mutual. But I hadn’t missed the way he’d quickly moved to his feet when Sam and Zane were getting ready to fight the other night before I’d jumped in.

I wasn’t used to anyone ever having my back outside of my dad, and even he’d grown comfortable letting me handle things as I’d grown older.

I wrapped my hands around the paddle, ready to move in a different direction.

“Don’t leave on my account. I’ll be heading out soon.”

I paused. “How do you know about this place? It’s sort of a hidden spot on the water. I used to come here all the time. I’ve never seen anyone else here before.”

He sat forward and raised his gold aviators, and his dark brown eyes looked jet black with the light shining down on him.

“I bought a house right around the turn, at the end of this cove, a few years ago. Never thought I’d be into boating, but I like coming out here on my own and chilling. Gives me time to think about other career opportunities, you know, since I’m not good at being lawyerly.” He smirked, flashing me this wicked grin that had my lady parts reacting.

What the hell was that about?

I couldn’t stand this guy, yet my body was quick to betray me every time he was around.

It made me dislike him even more.

He was unpredictable, combative, aggravating, and too good-looking for his own good.

A wild river.

He got under my skin, and that was never okay with me.

I’d learned at a very young age that being in control was the only way to survive this world.

Unpredictable people were red flags, and I avoided them at all costs.

I set my paddle in the kayak and lay back, acting as if he didn’t affect me at all. “I wouldn’t have guessed you to be so sensitive. Does my opinion of how you do your job really matter?”

The water splashed against the shore, and I tried to relax, even though my heart raced every time this man was near.

Maybe it was my instincts warning me to stay away from him.

Maybe it was just the fact that I was wildly attracted to him.

Of course, I was… because why not be attracted to someone dangerous? Someone who would cause you grief.

It was all I knew.

I’d studied psychology for more than half of my life.

I knew how to read the signs.

And River Pierce was full of warning signs.

“What matters to me is when someone judges me unfairly. I dealt with that enough as a fucking kid. As an adult, it pisses me the fuck off.”

I hadn’t expected that answer, so I shot forward, sitting up and tearing my sunglasses off my face to meet his angry gaze. “So, let me get this straight. You’re offended that I’ve misjudged you?”

“Did I stutter?”

“Why do you care what I think of you?” I hissed. “I’m an evil queen, remember?”

His lips turned up in the corners. This man was all over the place. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or joking half the time.

“Ahhh… is someone sensitive about being called an evil queen? Have I misjudged you, Ruby?” His voice was gravelly and sexy as hell.

“First off, I don’t care what you think of me. I care what I think of myself,” I huffed. “And for the record, calling me an evil queen is not an insult to me. It means my work here is done.”

“You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you? You think your big, fancy degree makes you an expert on people?”

A sarcastic laugh escaped my lips.

It was very evil queen of me, and I liked it.

“Well, yes, genius. I have a Ph.D. in psychology. That, by definition, makes me fairly skilled at reading people.”

“So, tell me, Doctor… who am I? You seem to think you know me so well. I’m curious how skilled you are.”

I loved this part of the game. When someone lets me assess them and call them out for just how easily I’d been able to read them.

“Sure. It would be my pleasure. I’ll even do it pro bono because I’ll enjoy it.” I raised a brow and thought it over. “You had a rocky past. I don’t know what exactly happened in your childhood, obviously, but it left you with trust issues. You don’t do relationships or anything where commitment is involved. You’re smarter than most of the people you interact with,” I said, and he barked out a laugh as if I’d just said he was the smartest guy in the room. “Don’t get cocky. You aren’t even the smartest person in this cove.”

“I see. So, I’m smarter than most, but not smarter than you.”

“It’s my opinion. But I make it a point to be more knowledgeable than my opponents, so don’t take offense.” I shrugged.

“Do you really believe that your assessment about how I don’t do relationships makes you some sort of brilliant doctor of psychology? It’s not a secret. Hell, everyone in this town knows I don’t do relationships. Get in line, Evil Queen. You haven’t told me anything I haven’t heard a million times.”

Now it was my turn to chuckle. “Yeah, but they don’t know why you’re so closed off. They don’t know that if you took away all the layers, it would come down to fear.”

“I see. I’m afraid of women. Is that it?” I could tell he was enjoying himself.

“You’re afraid of being hurt. You’re afraid of loss. You’re afraid of allowing yourself to feel joy. You’re afraid of trusting anyone outside of your circle.”

He was quiet now as his gaze studied mine. “Wow. All this time, I thought I just enjoyed fucking different women because I get bored easily. Thank you, Dr. Rose. I feel like I can breathe now.”

“Laugh all you want. You’re a classic textbook case. Hard on the outside and damaged on the inside.” I knew this because I was the same way; I just wouldn’t admit that to him.

This draw that lived between us was most likely the recognition of one damaged soul to another.

“All right. I’m not going to argue with the fact that I’m damaged. I’ll be the first one to admit that. I guess you really are the expert,” he said, but I didn’t miss the sarcastic tone.

I’d always made a point of knowing things about the people in town when I was young. Like who to avoid.

River and his friends were on that list.

Hell, I’d gotten into a street fight with his friend Romeo back when we were young. He hadn’t even put up a fight. I’d been forced to fight him because a few kids had jumped me on my way home after school, and he’d come to my rescue to help me.

I couldn’t have that.

Couldn’t look weak.

So, I’d punched him in the gut and told him that I could take care of myself.

He hadn’t done a thing in response. He’d just nodded as if he’d understood why I’d had to do it.

But unlike River and his friends, I’d always preferred to fly solo. I didn’t want to rely on anyone outside of my father. The few times I’d done it, it had bitten me in the ass.

My dad had been the only person who hadn’t completely failed me.

We’d taken care of one another the best we could.

River was scowling at me now, and I knew I’d pissed him off, even if he was trying to act like I hadn’t told him anything he didn’t already know.

“You asked me to tell you what I thought of you, and I did. Don’t shoot the messenger,” I said, reaching for my paddle.

“What’s it like, sitting up on your high horse judging the world? I’m guessing it’s pretty lonely up there, Ruby. Unlike you, I’ve found people that I trust. Yes, I had a fucked-up childhood. So the fuck have millions of other people. But I did something about it. I didn’t like what happened to me, and I chose a profession that would help me make a difference in the world. So I could stop that shit from happening to others. But you, you chose a profession that allows you to make assumptions about everyone. I may not have a degree in psychology, but I think you’ve just found a way to keep everyone at bay. It’s probably a form of protection. Decide everyone is bad and then stay the fuck away from them. But unlike you, I’m living every day. Enjoying my life. You’ve run away and buried yourself in books so that you don’t have to deal with real life. Who’s the fucking phony now?”

Motherfucker.

This guy had just psychoanalyzed me?

And he’d been somewhat right about a few things.

The thing he didn’t understand was that I wasn’t in denial about who I was.

So I did what any intelligent woman would do in this situation.

I took my paddle, plunged it into the lake, and used force as I shot it forward and doused him in the face with water.

He didn’t even flinch. He just smiled, like he’d won some big challenge.

I flipped him the bird and got the hell out of there.

River Pierce was more than a red flag.

He was too smart for his own good.

Dangerously good-looking.

And he’d just summed me up in a nutshell without any formal training.

That just made me hate him a little more than I already did.