Chapter 30 Love speaks
CHAPTER 30
Love speaks
Morning arrived quietly in the Carter mansion soft sun spilling across the marble floors, birds singing lightly beyond the windows, and the faint aroma of coffee drifting through the halls.
Ruby woke curled beside Leo on the long velvet couch in his study. Her head rested on his shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist even in sleep as if his body refused to forget the terror of losing her.
She shifted softly, trying not to wake him.
But Leo’s grip tightened.
“Don’t…” he murmured, half asleep. “Stay a little longer.”
Ruby’s heart melted at the vulnerability in his voice. He hadn’t sounded like that in a very long time… maybe ever.
She brushed a gentle hand across his cheek.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered.
Leo slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the morning light.
When he saw her, his lips curved in the softest smile one that carried relief, affection, and something deeper she couldn’t name yet.
“Good morning,” he said warmly.
Ruby smiled back. “Good morning.”
For a moment, neither of them moved.
They simply looked at each other, two souls learning to breathe again through each other’s presence.
Leo sat up, running a hand through his hair.
“You should get breakfast. I want you to eat before you do anything today.”
She raised a brow playfully.
“You’re ordering me now?”
“No,” he corrected gently, touching her chin. “I’m worrying for you.”
Ruby softened.
“Okay. Breakfast it is,” she whispered.
As Ruby walked to the dining room, Carl trailed behind her silently, professionally, his boundaries was sharp and clear.. He was vigilant.
“Do you always stand this close?” Ruby teased lightly without looking back.
Carl’s voice was deep and calm.
“It is my job, Miss Ruby.”
“But I’m only walking to breakfast.”
“This is when most attacks happen.”
Ruby stopped mid step.
“Attacks?” she repeated, eyes widening.
Carl simply nodded. “People lower their guard in familiar environments. But you don’t need to worry. Anyone who tries to cross that gate will not make it far.”
It should’ve scared her…
But instead, she felt a strange sense of safety. Because someone cared enough to protect her. Even if Leo took it too far sometimes.
When Ruby entered the dining room, Alex was already standing by the door, polished and cheerful as always.
“Good morning, Miss Ruby!” he greeted with a bright smile.
“Ready for the day?”
She laughed softly.
“You’re awfully happy this early.”
“I’m always happy to work with good people,” Alex replied sincerely.
Carl shot him a warning look.
Alex rolled his eyes. “I’m being polite, Carl.”
Carl remained silent.
Ruby shook her head, amused. It was strange having people assigned to her. People she didn’t know, whose loyalty came from Leo’s trust, not hers. But she would learn. She had to. Because this world wasn’t hers, but she was in it now.
That afternoon, Ruby dressed for a simple outing just a stroll through a nearby art market she’d always wanted to visit. Carl followed her outside.
Alex opened the car door, standing tall like a knight sworn to service.
Ruby stared at the guarded SUV.
“This feels like I’m a politician,” she muttered.
Leo appeared behind her dressed in dark slacks and a crisp shirt, ready for work.
“You’re going out?” he asked gently.
She nodded.
“Just the art market. I’ll be fine.”
Leo’s eyes flickered to Carl.
“Stay close.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Alex, no highways only the inner routes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leo stepped closer to Ruby, lowering his voice.
“Call me if anything…….anything at all feels wrong.”
She placed a hand on his chest.
“You worry too much.”
“You give me reasons to,” he whispered.
Ruby smiled softly then stood on her toes and pressed a small, quick kiss to his cheek.
Leo stilled, then cleared his throat.
“Okay, go before I cancel all your plans and keep you indoors.”
Ruby laughed and got into the car.
As the SUV pulled away, Leo remained standing at the gate, watching until the vehicle disappeared from sight.
At the art market, Ruby wandered through colorful stalls, admiring paintings, sculptures, and handmade crafts.
People smiled at her, the sun was warm, children danced around their parents.It felt like life again, simple and beautiful.
But Carl’s steady presence behind her reminded her that she was not just any girl in the market.
Ruby paused at a small booth selling handcrafted bracelets. A delicate silver one caught her eye simple, elegant, beautiful.
She touched it lightly.
“You like it?” the vendor asked warmly. Ruby nodded.
“It reminds me of someone.” The vendor smiled knowingly.
Carl continued watching silently.
Ruby bought the bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist the silver catching the sun like a promise.
They continued walking.
Alex waited with the car nearby, always within sight.
~~
She stood from afar watching Ruby from a distance hidden behind a row of stalls, sunglasses low on her nose, recording every movement.
Clara zoomed her phone camera closer, capturing the bodyguard, the driver, the small bracelet Ruby wore, the way she smiled at vendors…
“Perfect,” she murmured.
Because the more information she gathered, the easier it would be to break her.
\~~~
Leo tried to focus on work but his eyes kept drifting to his phone, checking for messages, checking the time, checking if Ruby had called.
Blake, who had been standing at the door without Leo noticing him, walked into the office, raising a brow.
“You’re restless,” Blake said, and sat on one of the office chairs.
“Ruby’s out,” Leo muttered.
“And she’s with two trained professionals,” Blake reminded him. “She’s safe.”
Leo rubbed his forehead.
“You didn’t see her in the hospital, Blake. You didn’t see what I saw. I can’t let that happen again.”
Blake sighed.
“You love her.”
Leo froze… then exhaled slowly.
“I don’t know what I feel,” he said quietly.
“But it’s strong……too strong.”
Blake smirked. “That’s love.”
Leo glared.
Blake chuckled.
But inside Leo’s chest, Blake’s words echoed.
Love.
Was that what this was?
What did he feel every time she breathed near him?
The times she held his hand?
The times she whispered, I’m here?
Love terrified him.
~~
As the SUV returned home, Ruby smiled, feeling lighter. She hadn’t realized how much she needed a day outside.
Carl stepped out first, scanning the perimeter before motioning her forward.
Ruby stepped out—
And froze.
Leo was standing at the entrance, waiting. His eyes softened the moment he saw her.
“You’re back,” he said, relief flooding his face.
Ruby smiled. “I told you I would be.”
He took her hand gently thumb brushing her new bracelet.
“What’s this?”
“A reminder,” she whispered.
“Of what?”
“That someone worries too much… and that I don’t mind.”
Leo’s breath hitched……the kind of breath a man takes when he feels something too deeply.
He pulled her slowly into his chest.
“Thank you for coming back to me,” he whispered into her hair