save me - taylor swift

17

She thought about Taylor. About the way her nose scrunched when she smelled smoke. The way she had once said, "You know that's not good for you." when Ruby lit one that weekend at the beach house.

Ruby sighed and threw the cigarette into the nearby trashcan without lighting it, muttering under her breath, "You're really messing with my routine, Swift."

She stood up, intent on grabbing a coffee, when her phone buzzed. The name flashing across the screen made her curse out loud.

Dominic.

"Does he fucking sense when I'm happy?" she muttered as she picked up the call.

"I need to meet you," Dominic said immediately. His voice, as always, was calm and cold.

Ruby leaned against the wall and rubbed her temple. "Why?"

"You and I both know why," he replied, not missing a beat.

Ruby didn't even try to argue. "Fine. I'll come over now."

She ended the call and took a moment to steel herself. As much as she didn't want to see him, she had been meaning to talk to him anyway. There was something she needed to say.

She found Elijah down the hall and asked if she could step out for a bit. He gave her a nod, assuring her it was fine since Taylor would be in the recording booth for the rest of the morning.

With that, Ruby grabbed her car keys, slid on her sunglasses, and drove across the city to a familiar, hidden part of town.

The warehouse loomed in front of her like a ghost from a life she was trying to bury. She parked, stepped out, and made her way inside. A couple of the guys on guard nodded at her in recognition—none of them ever dared to question her. Ruby Chandler was a legend in this world.

She walked through the narrow halls until she reached the office at the end.

Dominic was inside, sitting comfortably behind a large desk, sipping wine from a crystal glass like he wasn't the head of a criminal enterprise.

"Rubes," he said as she stepped in, using the name that only people from that part of her life ever used.

She gave a curt nod and took a seat across from him.

"Let's skip the small talk. Why'd you call me?"

Dominic chuckled, swirling his wine like he was amused by her impatience. "Did you know this is the longest job you've ever taken to finish?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "You usually wrap these up in a week. Maybe two. This has been... what? Two months?"

"It's complicated. Security's tight," Ruby answered flatly.

Dominic didn't even blink. "Bullshit."

Ruby met his gaze and sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"I should've known the second I gave you the name that you'd fall for her," he said, tone almost amused.

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "How did you—"

"Ever since the delays started, I had someone watch you," he said, cutting her off with the ease of someone who'd expected this outcome all along.

Ruby groaned and ran a hand through her hair. "So why pretend like you didn't know?"

"Because I wanted you to say it," Dominic replied, sipping his wine again. "Which brings me to my next point."

"I want to quit the job," Ruby said finally, her voice calm but firm.

Dominic nodded slowly. "There it is." He leaned back in his chair and studied her. "You're lucky I respect you, Ruby. You've been loyal. Efficient. Cold when needed. I never had to question your professionalism."

Ruby stayed silent, waiting for the 'but.'

"But," he continued, "I'll let you go. Not because I'm soft. But because I respect the fact that you fell in love."

Love.

The word hung in the air like a weight. Ruby's chest tightened. The last time she let herself fall in love, it had nearly destroyed her. She swore she'd never let it happen again. And yet, here she was.

"Besides," Dominic added, "Joana pulled the plug. She said we were taking too long and started ranting about handling it herself. I got tired of listening."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "She cancelled?"

Dominic shrugged. "Like I said. She was annoying. You're off the job. Clean slate."

Ruby sighed in relief. "I'm sorry," she said, genuinely.

Dominic waved her off. "It's fine. Just don't let her break your heart, Rubes."

Ruby gave a half-smile and stood up. "No promises."

Dominic stood too and extended his hand. "Have a good life, Chandler."

She took it, shaking firmly, and turned to leave.

As she walked out of the warehouse, into the sunlit streets of freedom, Ruby knew one thing for certain—she wasn't going back. Not to that life. Not to the shadows.