Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 15

Ruby froze.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Shaw?"

Mr. Shaw was a middle-aged man—full name, Stephen Shaw—but everyone just called him Stephen. Rumor had it he'd once run with some rough crowds. A thick gold chain hung around his neck, and his beer belly strained against his shirt. His face was all hard lines and mean little eyes.

He looked Ruby up and down, a sly, predatory grin flickering at the corners of his mouth, as if he'd just spotted something new worth hunting.

Under his gaze, Ruby twisted her fingers together, knuckles whitened.

"Ruby, when someone does you a favor, it's only right to show your appreciation, don't you think?"

"We're not asking for anything crazy—just a quick thank-you video. That's not too much, is it?"

Stephen's logic was simple. The donor was some millionaire—didn't care about money, just wanted his name out there. Since they'd accepted the donation, a little gratitude seemed only fair. Besides, if he kept the big shot happy, maybe there'd be more in the future.

"But why me?"

Ruby didn't understand. There were plenty of other women in the shelter, all older and far better at saying the right things. She was known for being quiet, awkward—hardly the type to charm anyone.

Why single her out?

"I don't want it. If that's what it takes to say thank you, then I'll just give it back." Ruby placed the donated items gently back where she'd found them. She needed them, yes, but not if the price was this kind of "thanks."

Stephen blinked, thrown off by Ruby's refusal.

The next second, Ruby turned and started to walk away.

Stephen snapped back to attention, raising his voice, "The CEO of Veyne & Co. specifically said he'd give you a hundred dollars extra every month!"

"Since he went out of his way to help us, isn't a thank-you video the least you can do?"

Ruby stopped in her tracks.

Stephen's sneer deepened. Just like he thought—a hundred bucks was all it took to stop her in her tracks. If only she knew it was actually more than that… heh.

"You're saying…the donor is Mr. Veyne? Which Mr. Veyne?"

Ruby turned around, and for a moment, it looked like she was genuinely scared.

Stephen lowered his voice and stepped closer. "Who else? Cassian Veyne, the richest man in Quinborough. Don't tell me you've never heard of him."

Ruby's voice shook. "What? But if he's the wealthiest man in Quinborough, why would he suddenly donate things to us—and ask to give me, specifically, an extra hundred dollars? I don't even know him."

No, impossible… He couldn't have found her… Ruby's head spun, panic threatening to overwhelm her.

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