Resisting Ruby Rose (The Ruby Rose Series) Read Online Free Page A

“Like we used to. I mean, I know we talk all the time, but I know you’ve been avoiding any kind of ‘therapy session’ because of the whole roommate thing. But I’m all torn up inside, and I don’t know ho w . . . ”
    “Oh, Ruby,” Dr. T said, hanging her head. “I’m so sorry. These past months I’ve been walking the line between professional conduct and—” She paused. I knew what sh e’d been about to say before she stopped herself: “mother figure.” She would never take that away from my mom, and sh e’d be mortified to think she ever had.
    “I know,” I said, “and I appreciate that, but I really need to talk to you. I feel like my whole life is a never-ending disaster, and there’s nothing I can do about it. There’s Martinez, who’s still out there, destroying everyone and everything. And my biological dad, who apparently wants nothing to do with me. My adoptive mother, who I don’t know anymore and might never know again. There’s Liam, who’s always there, even though I feel he should go live a fuller, better life without me. And Alana, who wants so desperately for everything to be OK that she’s pretty much in denial about everything. And you—”
    “Who cares about you, Ruby,” she cut me off. “And that’s why you don’t have to worry about any of this right now.”
    “You’ve taken me into your life, and all I bring you is pain and drama!”
    “No, that’s not true,” Dr. T said, reaching out to hold my hand.
    “It’s all true! I am the worst patient, daughter, friend, and girlfriend in the world. Instead of helping anyone, all I do is bring people down. And worst of all, I don’t know how to make it stop.” Suddenly, my mind took me back to the hospital waiting room and the words spoken by the dark stranger, Quinn: Let me help you get justice.
    I still hadn’t opened the envelope. After Liam dropped me off, I intentionally slung my purse into the corner of my bedroom, unable to deal with it. But now, thinking about how much I needed to do something to make things better, to make up for all the trouble I’d brought peopl e . . . well, maybe it was time to open it.
    “I’m sorry, Dr. T,” I said abruptly. “I just remembered something I have to do.”
    I ran up to my room and tore through my bag. My heart pounded as I imagined what kind of details this package could reveal.
    I broke the seal and dumped the contents onto my bed. It was full of photos and papers, just like the first envelope Skryker gave me in that high-rise. And I quickly realized that while the previous envelope had intel on Commander Damon Silver, this one was on Detective James Martinez. Most of the photos were taken from a distance—surveillance photos. He wore a hat and sunglasses, but it was most definitely him.
    One stapled group of papers showed cell phone data, highlighting certain numbers used on a frequent basis. Another paper had a list of explosive materials estimated to be in Martinez’s possession as of one week ago.
    Other papers showed maps tracking where Martinez had been and potential routes for where he could be going. H e’d been here in Huntington Beach! There was a photo of a car outside the very building where Dr. T’s condo was. I couldn’t see the person inside the car well enough to be sure, but since Skryker included the photo in this package, I had to assume it was Martinez. Fear rippled through me. As long as I was around and Martinez was free, Dr. T would never be out of danger.
    At the very bottom of the stack was a handwritten letter addressed to me and signed by Skryker. His penmanship was distractingly elegant.
    Dear Ruby Rose,
    As I mentioned yesterday, I do not require and will not accept a response from you at this time. I just thought you might like to know what your friend James Martinez has been up to lately. Should you ever wish to contact me, you may do so at the number below.
    Please accept my sympathies regarding your