The fire to survive and protect

The fire to survive and protect


Chapter 166

Ruby's POV

The harsh wind whipped at my hair, which I had forced into a tight ponytail behind my head. My left hand gently cradled my child, who was swaddled tightly in a soft and very thick blanket and nestled close to my side for warmth.

“Lucas… I will forever remember you as the brother I never had. Make sure to keep that smile and happiness of yours wherever you find yourself,” I murmured slowly, my voice low and pained as I remembered he never got a proper burial.

I reached out and softly patted down the blue ribbon I had tied carefully to the strong tree I had been standing in front of for the past fifteen minutes.

“Ethan… this is our child. He looks just like you…” I whispered, my voice becoming a lot more softer, as I gently pulled open the blanket just enough to reveal the chubby little face of the baby.

His wide, curious blue eyes stared up at me with innocent amusement, a soft smile on his lips as he made cute baby noices. His dark black hair was thick and silky, just like Ethan's and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his adorably clueless expression.

“He is our little Black. The name suits him, don’t you think?” I asked quietly, not expecting an answer. My eyes slowly lifted to look at the black ribbon I had tied close beside the blue one on the lower branch of the tree. No reply came, of course. I knew there wouldn’t be one, but that didn’t stop the ache in my heart.

“Make sure you watch over our son, wherever you may be…” I finished softly, taking in a deep breath and letting the cold air settle in my lungs before slowly exhaling.

“What the hell do you think you are doing? I don’t have the patience to play these silly games with you. Get moving!” Dominic’s voice suddenly barked from behind me.

I flinched slightly, my hands instinctively tightening around the bundle in my arms. My fingers balled into fists for a moment before I forced them to relax. I drew my baby closer to my chest and turned around slowly, stretching a fake smile across my lips.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” I said lightly, careful to keep my tone neutral. “I was just saying my goodbyes. After all, I may never return.” I bowed my head to avoid meeting his piercing gaze, my voice as calm as I could manage despite the anger inside me.

“Whatever. Get moving!” he growled in reply as he spun around and began to walk away, heading towards the helicopter that sat in the large, open field behind the hospital.

The large blades were already spinning, the wind growing stronger as it prepared for lift-off. Several of his guards followed closely behind him, all dressed in dark.

I pulled my baby tightly against myself, his soft breaths warming my chest as I stepped forward, stalking slowly but steadily toward the waiting helicopter. The wind tugged at my dress, whipping it from side to side.

The doors of the helicopter snapped shut behind me with a loud bang and within seconds we were in the air.

I kept my eyes glued to the window beside me, watching silently as the buildings and trees below shrank smaller and smaller with every passing second.

“Put this on the baby,” I heard Dominic order from across the cabin. His voice cut through the noise, immediately pulling my attention back to him.

One of his men stepped forward, holding something small and metallic in his hand. It looked like a wristwatch, but it had no screen and no visible buttons. My body stiffened with unease, and I instinctively pulled my baby closer, tightening my arms protectively around him.

“What is that?” I asked cautiously. My eyes narrowed as I stared at the watch.

“It’s just a little gift for the baby,” Dominic replied smoothly, a fake smile playing on his lips.

“Thank you,” I said softly, keeping my voice calm as I stepped forward to take the strange watch. I moved as though to slip it into my purse, planning to inspect it later, but his voice stopped me cold.

“It’s meant to be worn, Ruby. Put it on the child.” His words were sharp and darker than before. The shift in his tone made my heart begin to race, a cold pit settling deep in my stomach.

“Sure…” I replied after a long pause, forcing a small nod. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached beneath the fur-lined blanket, gently pulling out my baby’s small chubby hand. His skin was warm and soft, and I hesitated for a moment before fastening the strange band snugly around his wrist.

“Done,” I said quietly, wrapping him back up immediately and looking up to see Dominic’s reaction. But the look in his eyes made my blood run cold.

His eyes were colder now and a smirk curved across his lips. He was watching me closely, as though waiting for something.

“Good,” he said slowly, his words sounded mocking to me. “Just try not to take that off him. I might not be able to guarantee his life if you do, and you, my dear, would be responsible for his death.”

My heart dropped to my feet as panic began to rise in my chest. I stared at him, wide-eyed, my arms tightening protectively around my baby.

“Why would you do that to an innocent child?” I growled, my voice trembling with anger. My hands balled into fists again, and I felt the tears pricking the corners of my eyes. It was getting harder to breathe.

“He’s not going to explode into a ball of flesh and blood if you keep it intact,” Dominic replied with a dark laugh, shaking his head. “That’s what a mother should do. And point of correction there is nothing innocent about that child.”

He ended with a loud, echoing laugh, and I sat frozen, watching in horror as his guards joined in, their laughter suffocating me. My eyes fell back to the silver band now secured around my baby’s tiny wrist.

The air in my lungs seemed to be knocked out of me, I blinked quickly, fighting back the hot tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I couldn’t let him see me cry. I wouldn’t let Dominic see my pain, he didn’t deserve that satisfaction.

I will keep you safe, Little Black. And I will make every single one of them pay.

I refused to meet Dominic’s hard, calculating stare. I knew he was watching me and waiting for my reaction but Instead, I slowly turned my face to the side, pressing my cheek gently against the glass of the helicopter window and gazing out into the sky.

I cannot be weak. I cannot afford to be weak.

That single thought rang louder than the rest, pounding in my head.

It’s time I stopped thinking like Ruby, the one who was naive, soft, and far too forgiving. She wouldn't survive this world. No, from now on, I needed to think more like Ethan. Or even more brutal if that’s what it took to keep our child safe.

My fingers tightened around the blanket as I looked down at our baby, still sleeping peacefully and unaware of the world he had been born into.