Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 26

Ever since that day he'd come home, Cassian found his mind drifting back to those few scenes, replaying them over and over. He couldn't say why. He'd known plenty of women in his life—why would this one, of all people, get under his skin?

There were so many tragedies in the world, so many people down on their luck, yet, for reasons he couldn't explain, he'd instructed his assistant to make a donation from his personal account. More than that, he'd even made an exception and arranged for special gifts to be sent to all the janitorial staff—just to make her life a little bit easier.

And now, for the third time, just hearing someone mention her, her image slipped into his mind again: unremarkable at first glance, yet somehow unforgettable.

Cassian rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to banish her from his thoughts. The last time someone had unsettled him like this, it had been Ruby.

"What's her name?" he asked, but then immediately waved the question away. "Never mind. She's just a single mother working as a janitor. Since she helped my grandmother, call her supervisor and make it clear—on my behalf—that no one is to give her a hard time. She's earned it."

"Yes, sir." Bennett hesitated, then remembered something. "About the donation last time—the district manager said that janitor sent in a video to thank you. It's in your inbox. The PR department wants to know if you'd like them to do a feature on the story."

Cassian's lips thinned into a hard line. "No need."

He clicked the mouse a few times, then stood up. Tall and impeccably dressed, he strode out of the office toward the conference room, the door closing quietly behind him. The vast office fell into silence, save for the faint blue glow from the computer monitor.

On Cassian's screen, the email with the thank-you video sat quietly in the trash. When the screen went dark, it disappeared into stillness.

After the meeting, Bennett called the district supervisor for South Lane, relaying Cassian's instructions about special care for the janitor and her child.

When he hung up, Bennett frowned, uneasy about the possibility of corruption—people pocketing the money and mistreating their staff. He scrolled through his contacts and dialed the direct supervisor: Stephen Shaw, the same man who had sent the thank-you video.

Meanwhile, Stephen Shaw was just finishing up his paperwork for a recent promotion when he stormed into the women's staff dorm, looking for Ruby to settle an old score.

She was nowhere to be found. Instead, he picked up Bennett's call.

Feigning cheeriness, he answered, "Bennett! What can I do for you? Is there something Mr. Veyne needs?"

Bennett's tone was cool and deliberate. "Yes, Mr. Shaw. Mr. Veyne wants you to know that the single mother working as a janitor—her and her child—are under his personal protection. Make sure no one gives them trouble. If you do your job well, Mr. Veyne might even put in a good word for you with the district leadership—maybe get you another promotion before you retire. Do I make myself clear?"

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