Seven good years

Seven good years
Chapter 169

SEVEN YEARS LATER

Ruby's POV

A deafening explosion blasted through the air as I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the distant place beyond the safe spot that was now up in flames, and I could feel my chest swell with pride at my achievement. The sound of thunderous applause filled the room as those who had gathered to witness the outcome of my new project cheered at the resounding success. 

Over the years, Little Black and I had remained trapped in Dominic's territory, our lives not even assured with the constant threat of death hanging over my neck. I had been forced to make myself stronger, to prove my worth to Dominic, in the hopes that he would spare us both until my plans came to fall in place.

I had devoted myself to studying explosives and had worked tirelessly with Dominic's team to achieve a groundbreaking breakthrough. Making the smallest, and undetectable radius bomb had come to reality.

My spine stiffened as I felt Dominic's presence behind me as he carried with him the smell of tobacco "Well, I didn't expect you to succeed, but I knew I made the right decision keeping you alive for the past few years," Dominic said calmly, his voice dripping with satisfaction as he slowly removed his gloves. 

"I'm glad you're impressed," I replied, my voice even, though my eyes darkened with a sharp glint of resentment as I nodded at him. 

"What a pity..." Dominic's voice trailed off, after pausing the words he was just about to say but I knew exactly what he had been about to say.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to skip the after-party and get some rest," I said, taking a step back from him, my hands folding in front of me. 

"Hmmm, whatever you want," Dominic waved me off, his attention already diverted as he stalked away, surrounded by his men. 

As his back disappeared into the crowd, I turned swiftly and headed for the exit door that led out of the lab. Security was tight, every move I made and every turn I took was being monitored.

"Clocking out," I murmured to the guard stationed at one of the doors as he buzzed me in and the door swung open. I strode out, my head held high even as my heart kept beating harder with each passing second and I felt sweat dribble down my neck.

"I heard you made it... it blew up successfully," a middle-aged woman with a soft kind of beauty said, pushing off the wall she had been leaning against, a smile spreading across her face.

"You really do have your nose to the ground, Clara," I said with a smile, watching her lips twitch, she was one of Dominic's numerous women, but she was most favoured of them all.

"Doing this won't make Dom treat you any better," Clara hissed, her eyes flashing with warning as she stalked closer to me, blocking my path. "After all, you're a walking threat. I wonder why he still keeps your neck attached to the rest of your body." Her words were filled with annoyance but all I did was give her the most blinding smile I could munsyer at the moment.

"You have so much time on your hands wondering about mundane things, why not cut some off and try to find ways to clear off those harsh aging lines marring your once beautiful face, Clara." I said sharply, ensuring my words stung like a slap. 

I watched in satisfaction as she gasped in shock, her hands rushing to her face as she glared at me, her eyes shining with anger and hurt. 

But I ignored her and stalked away, not having time to waste on petty confrontations with someone like her. She somehow had the illusion that she was important to Dominic, but sonnee or later she would be reminded her place, I just hope she comes out alive.

I strode out of the facility, passing the last set of guards, my heels clicking loudly on the ground as I hopped into the black SUV used to convey me to and from the house. From the outside, it looked like I was being offered luxury, but the cameras watching my every move inside the vehicle told a different story. 

You wouldn't think the same when you noticed the cameras discreetly placed, monitoring my every move. I planted my head on the window, watching the bustling city outside.

It had been years since I was allowed to move around freely, my whole life seemed to have been put on hold, and I seemed to be more of a machine now, always being on guard and scheming just to stay alive in this threat-filled world.

"We are here." The guard assigned called me out of my thoughts as the door was pushed open from the outside, and I stepped down onto the driveway and stalked up the stairs and into the mansion.

I slammed the door to my room shut, still keeping calm as I went around my normal routine, putting away my coat and bag, and then heading to the changing room. Aside from my outward calmness, my heart was beating so loud in my ears immediately I was out of sight. 

Yes, there were cameras everywhere, even in the room, the only clear areas were the dressing room and the bathroom, where I could finally breathe.

I immediately bent down and kicked off my shoe, bringing the right heel up close to my face, and my heart relaxed as I caught sight of the device I had clipped behind it. "There you are." I whispered in relief, a smile spreading across my face. 

It had taken me seven long years to create this, right under Dominic's nose, and now it was finally done. 

My plan could finally go into motion. My happy thoughts were soon broken as the loud sound of the door being pushed open with a bang got to my ear, and my back straightened like a pin.