𝑃𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠

Chapter Seven

Ruby froze, looking up at Rafe in fear- was this some kind of sick joke?

" I-I.. what..?" She stuttered out, frantically searching the area for a way out- Rafe paused, clearly he'd assumed wrong, she didn't even know what the hell was going on here.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and she flinched, recoiling from his touch- god she wished JJ was here..

" are you in on my deal..?" Rafe asked and Ruby shook her head no, " deal? What deal..?" She asked with a sniffle.

He went to respond but a movement made them both pause, Rafe slightly shifting Ruby behind him.

" I wondered what your little reunion would be like." The man said and Ruby's stomach twisted, whoever this was knew about their past.

" what the hell is this?" Ruby demanded, moving out from behind Rafe, "I'm glad you asked. Come sit" he said and motioned to the two chairs in the foyer.

She stayed put, not at all trusting this man for even a moment, " Ms. Routledge-" he started, " Maybank" she hissed, her glare ice cold.

Rafe turned to her with a questioning glance but she held her ground- she needed to feel like he was here with her- she needed some part of JJ right now.

" very well.. Mrs. Maybank. I do apologize for the rough tactics in bringing you here" the man said and she scoffed, crossing her arms, "look man. Whatever you want I don't have" She said, sitting in one of the chairs and crossing her legs.

Rafe gave her a pointed look and she automatically straightened her posture, fixing her dress.

The man looked between them, finding enjoyment in the way they couldn't stand being in the same room as each other.

" actually you do have something I'm looking for. A diary." He said and Ruby struggled to jumpstart her memory, " the only diary I have is my own personal one but I don't think that would be of any use.." she said, frantically trying to think of what this man could be talking about.

" it's an artifact actually. It belonged to Denmark Tanny" he said and she froze- her memory finally coming back.

" okay.. okay shit.. the- the last place I saw it was in my brothers van.. we never had the actual diary just a paper copy.. I don't even know if it's still useable" she rushed out, clamping her hands down on her knees so they would stop shaking.

The man gave her a skeptical look before standing up and walking towards a painting at the end of the room.

" do you see this?" He asked and she nodded, " this is my destiny.. El Dorado.." he said, " like the John Wayne movie..?" She asked but that earned her a glare.

" You must have had that diary. You couldn't have found the cross without it" he said and she mentally groaned, " mr..?" She trailed off, " Singh. Carlos Singh" he said.

Ruby took a shaky breath, " Mr. Singh.. the diary didn't even help us.. we found it basically off of dumb luck- and Rafe? He never even read it. He stole the cross from us" she explained, leaning forward.

Singh narrowed his eyes at her, " I need that diary" he said and she looked at him in disbelief, " look man I already said I don't have it.." she said, flinching as he moved closer.

" I was hoping you wouldn't say that.. because unfortunately i don't believe you.." he said and gripped her chin.

Ruby grimaced, " I-I don't have it.." she choked out, fear consuming her as he turned to Rafe, " I suggest you make her tell the truth. Because until she does? Neither of you are leaving." He said and walked away.

After a while they were in the room, locked in together- Ruby leaning against the wall, they both had specific instructions to look out the window.

She didn't even look over as Rafe stood beside her- only they shared a mutual feeling as they saw Portis being dragged into the courtyard.

They shared a look, watching as Singh came out, gun in hand and blew Jimmy's head right off, both of them flinching.

Ruby felt sick, shaking and taking panicked breaths as Rafe forced her to look at him, " Ruby no bullshit. Do you have the diary?" He asked and she whimpered, shaking her head no as he shook her.

" damn it Ruby tell me!" He yelled and she flinched, looking up at him as tears streamed down her face.

" no.."