“It was at least five.”
“You had the instructions in front of you.”
Ruby sighed. “So what now?”
“We have a human case tomorrow. Drug dealer. Lucas thinks he’s hiding at his mom’s house.”
“Do you enjoy doing these?”
“I think I have a permanent indent on my shoulder from the camera.” She cracked her neck. “But I don’t mind it. It’s a job. And someone needs to do it.”
“Bounty hunting?”
“Babysitting Jonah.”
Ruby let that spin in her mind.“He’s a human. I don’t get it.”
“He serves a…” She paused, contemplating her words. “Different purpose than most agents.”
“What purpose would that be?”
“You know I can’t tell you.”
“The TCA kinda sucks.”
Kavya tossed the comforter to the side and stood. “A necessary evil.”
“Be honest. How awkward is it going to be with Jonah tomorrow? I’m still pretty steamed and I imagine he’s feeling about the same.” Ruby rolled her way out of the bed, clumsily, her stomach sloshing and chest burning from the acid.
The look Kavya sent her was half pity, half something she couldn’t place. Hesitance, perhaps. “He’s currently getting shitfaced at the bar.”
Ruby ran a hand over her face. “That bad, huh?”
“You should probably see for yourself. Talk it out, as much as you can in the state he’s in.”
“And it can’t wait until tomorrow?”
Kavya squatted and picked up a discarded purse from the floor. It was brown, shaped like a heart, the brandCelineprinted in a small print near the top. She pulled it up toward her nose, sniffed, winced, and put it down. A thermophile had once thrown an open jar of pickles at Ruby while trying to run away. The bag ended up in the resulting puddle for half an hour as Ruby tracked her down.
Crouching beside her suitcase, Ruby tugged out a pair of blue trousers and a white blouse. “I’ll have to shower first.” She would go see him, but only after throwing up, showering, and clearing her head. “Where’s the bar? Here in Denver?”
“He’s downstairs.”
Ruby blinked. A flutter rose in her stomach. She beat it down with Jonah’s last words.At least he’s not a murderer.“The hotel bar? Why?”
“Didn’t want to leave you alone. Wanted to be close in case you needed him.” The corner of Kavya’s lips twitched.
“Are we talking about the same person?” she scoffed. “Jonah hates me.”
Kavya smirked and headed for the door. “You know what they say about love and hate.” She pinched her fingers together and mouthed, “thin line, baby. thin line.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
RUBY’S THROAT BURNEDfrom her time spent squatting beside the toilet, but she felt like a new woman after practically scrubbing off the top layer of her skin under the hot water of her shower.
A few steadying hits from her supplement found her once again on her hands and knees, this time searching for her phone under her bed. When she glanced at the screen, a slew of missed calls and texts from Jonah greeted her. A few were frantic, asking where she was, if she was okay. Others were apologetic. The last message, three and a half hours old, read:I’ll be at the hotel bar if you want to talk.
Her chest tightened as she made her way downstairs, half-hoping Jonah had already left. A sick part of her wanted to see him, wanted to relish in his pain. It would only be a fraction of what he had caused her. But it had been hours since he messaged. Surely he was gone by now?
