Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Chapter 18- The box

A week went by and all the plans were set. The night before the party, Ruby was curled up in bed with Clancy.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, holding her petite frame close to him.
"I think," she replied. It was a hot evening so Ruby only wore Clancy's T-shirt which fit like a dress on her. Clancy's fingers traced the outline of her back as she spoke. Very few people knew about their relationship but they planned to keep it this way until the case was closed.
"Are you sure you don't mind about the whole Connor thing?" Unfortunately, Ruby had been instructed by LB to stop at nothing meaning she would have to do whatever she could to get information. Clancy had understood completely and smiled down at her.
"It's fine, Rube. I obviously won't like seeing it but I understand. You gotta do what you've gotta do," he shrugged. "Just, please do me a favour and don't make out with him in front of me. I don't know if I would be able to control my emotions," She gave him a pitying glance and squeezed onto him.
"Ok," she sighed. "I hope this works,"
"It will. Don't even worry about it, Rube. Nothing bad will happen," She wanted to believe him. She really did, but her life was so unpredictable that she couldn't be sure of anything.
"I don't know what's the worst part. The murderous lunatic or the fact that I have to wear a dress," she joked. Clancy laughed softly and kissed her forehead.
"You may hate it," he smiled. "But I'm really looking forward to showing off how beautiful you are, even if you're not on my arm." She beamed.
"And I'm looking forward to all the celebrating we're gonna do at the donut once we're done," she  whispered, cheekily. "Just you and me,"
"What about Hitch?" asked Clance.
"He gets to celebrate during the mission. I mean, he practically is Spectrum's James Bond,"
"I heard that," came a voice from in the hallway.
"Are you eavesdropping, butler of mine. I could have you fired,"
Hitch opened her bedroom door and leaned against the wall.
"Come on Redfort. We both know that a) I am a house manager, and b) you love me too much to fire me. As for eavesdropping, I was just getting the laundry for Mrs Digby and overheard you,"
"Well I am sorry if I offended you by assuming you were the slightest bit excited for tomorrow night. Please forgive me," Ruby said sarcastically.
"I also thought I'd let you know that all of your gadgets have arrived," said Hitch, straightening his tie. "LB brought them over. Would you like me to bring them up?"
"Yes please,"

Hitch deposited a big box of things on Ruby's bed along with a note from LB explaining what they all did. Inside the box there were many things:
A necklace. A little heart shaped locket that when opened released a powder that could put someone to sleep instantly.
The earpieces. They linked up to LB's phone in her office, meaning LB could listen in on whatever was going on as well as allowing all agents wearing them to communicate discreetly.
The gun. A weapon originally created for Bradley Baker that could fire a shot without making a sound.
The tie clip. The button on the other side triggered the release of fatal, poisonous fumes. 
The shoes. White sneakers with extra grip on the soles to help Ruby make a quick getaway with use of parkour if necessary. They could also be used as jet packs if falling from a roof. In the note LB, much to Ruby's annoyance, pointed out that Ruby was pretty prone to falling off tall buildings. Underneath all of the gadgets there were many weapons along with outfits for the three of them. Hitch, naturally, was given a sleek dark suit. Ruby grinned inwardly. James Bond point proven, she thought. Clancy's suit was gray and tailored with a black tie. Then Ruby spotted the outfit intended for her and sighed. She pulled out a satin, gold dress. It would go down to just above her knees and had no back to it. Ruby rolled her eyes.
"I should have known LB would do this," she groaned.
"Do what?" asked Clancy, smiling at the thought of Ruby in gold.
"Screw me over. I swear she loves nothing more than annoying me,"
Hitch smirked. In reality, it was him who had requested for Spectrum to make the outfits. Although he would not let her know, the dress actually had many special features that he had a feeling that Ruby might need to use. Ruby picked up the note and read the message.

Redfort, please don't die.

Ruby smirked.
"Always full of such kind words," she muttered so only she could hear.
Hitch was secretly concerned. Thinking of Ruby holding a gun was not exactly nice for him. He knew Ruby was no kid. She had seen death, felt pain, known trauma but he had hoped she would never have to kill. At around her age Hitch himself had shot a man. Ending his life to save his own. Even though it was his job, it never stopped bothering him what he had to do. He had tried to protect Ruby from that kind of pain for three whole years, standing by her side to do the dirty work and letting her be the brains. But in twenty four hours she would be alone with a psycho's employee. The thought alone made him shudder.

Clancy smiled inwardly. Although Ruby was disgusted with the dress, he was quite excited to see her in it. In his eyes, she was the only girl in the world and even though hardly anyone knew it, she was with him. She was practically perfect in every way and even if she hated it, she was going to look beautiful. But something inside him still kept telling him that was a bad thing. Ruby was going to walk into the huge Music Hall of the Crew family mansion looking beautiful and walk straight up to a guy who wasn't him. A guy who had liked her for years and the son of a potential murderer. Great. But he knew Ruby. She would never hurt him. And besides, she liked him. Right now, he just needed to focus and trust Ruby.

Ruby herself was unaware of the wavering distress in the minds of the boys. All she was thinking was how much she wanted a donut.

"You should get some sleep," said Ruby, looking at the bags under Hitch's eyes.
"Have you actually slept in the past week?"
"Not exactly," Hitch knew there was no point in lying to her.
"Does this have anything to do with the new security tactics?" Hitch looked shocked. How could she possibly have known.
"It's fine Hitch. I looked back over the security footage to see if The Count was ever inside and I saw you and ten other special operation agents sat around the house with guns,"
Hitch looked at his feet.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, kid, but we didn't want to worry you and..."
"I get it and I'll forgive you," she grinned as an idea came into her mind. "But first, can you get me a donut?" Hitch laughed.
"I don't need to. LB got you one for me," He said, peering into the box.
Ruby looked and inside was a paper bag with three jelly donuts.
"I love that woman," smiled Ruby as she pulled the delicious snack from the bag, passing Hitch and Clancy the other ones. She took a bite and smiled widely.
"I really love that woman,"

Thanks for reading xxx