Bitter Truths (The Denton Family Legacy 3)

“That mattress is a dream compared to the one in my apartment. My one has springs coming out, and it digs into your back.” She rubbed her back, remembering the scratches that she’d gotten many mornings, and throughout the night.

“I have a feeling I’m going to hate your apartment.”

“You’ll hate it. There’re cockroaches, and even rats.” She giggled at the look of horror on his face. “Yeah, if you’re planning to visit with me, you might want to bring a gun, and some bug spray if you don’t like to risk it.”

He visibly shivered.

She chuckled. “I’m going to invite you over for coffee.”

Oliver ignored her, and opened up the door to a new bedroom.

“How many bedrooms do you have in a place like this?” she asked.

“There’s three. This one, my room, and the torture room.”

“What makes that room torture?” she asked.

“It’s so small, and there’s no window.”

She laughed. He must be used to a world of getting whatever the hell he wanted. Did he even know what it was like to have a spider or a roach crawling all over you? She did.

Entering the new room, she let out a whistle. There were floor to ceiling windows, with white curtains pulled back to see the city. The room was the exact same size as her entire apartment. It made her realize she’d been paying for something really shitty.

“You Denton guys really know how to live it up.”

“You once had a life like this. Your parents and brother were rich. That wealth is waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me?”

“Yeah, no body for Ruby Santos, my mother made sure that the money was put aside in a trust for when we found you.”

“Your mother really believes the best of the world, doesn’t she?” Ruby sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at him.

This was the first time she’d been alone with a guy. Sure, there had been men over the years. Many had attempted to take what she wasn’t willing to give.

“She likes to believe that she can help change lives. I think she already knows she can’t change the world.”

“And yet she married a Denton.”

“Yeah, Dad wouldn’t let her get away that easily.”

“I’m not surprised.” She ran her hands down her thighs, suddenly feeling nervous. “Are you staying?” she asked, forcing a laugh.

“Would you like me to stay?”

Her heart was racing, and she didn’t know what to do. Everything was moving so fast, and yet it didn’t even seem fast enough. Licking her dry lips, she took a deep breath.

“No, I wouldn’t.”

The smile on his face disappeared, and he looked so sad. She didn’t understand. They didn’t even know each other.

“I will leave you to your beauty sleep.”

“It has been a long day.”

“It’ll be a longer one tomorrow. Lots of questions.”

“About that, you could just drop me off at my apartment. There’s no reason for me to crash you guys’ breakfast.”