Ruby's POV
My leg throbbed where the rogue’s claws had grazed it, my ankle still tender from earlier. But I didn’t let it show. Not even when shifting my weight sent a sharp pulse of pain through my ribs. Not even when my breath came too shallow.
He sat across from me now, his back to the wall, hands clasped loosely between his knees like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Like he was waiting for me to say something. Waiting for permission.
“You should leave,” I said finally, breaking the silence.
His head snapped up. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Carter leaned forward a little. “Ruby—”
“No.” I cut him off before he could soften it, before he could make it worse. “Don’t say my name like that. Like you didn’t help put me in this position.”
He flinched.
“Do you have any idea what
