After everything Ruby had told him, Jaxon couldn’t find it in his heart to stay angry at her. She was scared.
It touched him that she thought to protect him by doing what Kim wanted even if it put her in danger. He wasn’t going to deny that it pissed him off at how Kim could come between them even when she was absent.
Now that he knew exactly what was plaguing his precious Gem, he was going to deal with the problem himself, Kim. It had taken a lot for Ruby to open up and tell him what was going on and he could basically see the strength sapped out of her.
He helped her to the bathroom where he bathed her. As he dried her hair, a smile curved on his lips and he thought, if only Damon could see him now, playing nursemaid.
He was sure Damon would never let him hear the end of it. He shook his head from his thoughts and brought his attention back to Ruby.
He settled her into the dressing table in their room and decided to brush her hair out. Aside from not speaking and eating well for days, Ruby had also neglected her hair. And he wasn’t able to help her with it because she had shied away from his touch.
“You’re tired, aren’t you?” He whispered to her. Through the mirror, he caught the yawn she let out as she mumbled a quiet yes.
He watched her eyes fog over, and then a pained expression crossed her face, and he immediately knew she was thinking about what had happened in the hotel.
“Hey, hey, focus on me.” He told her as he tried to get her attention.
“I’m here for you, okay? It’s over now. There’s no need to torture yourself by thinking about it over and over.” He reassured her warmly.
A lone tear ran down her cheek and Jaxon gathered her in his arms and brought her to bed.
“Don’t think about it.” He told her. Even as he said those words to her, he knew that it would be hard for Ruby to forget. She had been violated awfully and he was sure she felt hurt that it was her sister that set her up.
He held her for a long time and just sat and stroked her back. He whispered words of reassurance to her and told her how much he loved her.
He lulled Ruby to sleep and he watched as her eyes fluttered before closing finally. She still had tear tracks on her face from crying and he wiped it off gently.
He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest until her breathing evened out and he was sure she was deep in sleep.
He watched her a little bit longer to be absolutely sure before he grabbed his phone and slipped out of the room quietly.
He closed the door softly behind him and walked down the hallway to a secluded part of the house.
He dialed a number and waited patiently. The line rang once, twice, three times and his jaw clenched. Come on, pick up. He repeated those words several times until the line clicked. Bingo.
“Uh, who is this?” Kim’s irritating voice came through the line.
He had gotten the number from Ruby’s phone when she’d fallen asleep. He remained quiet and listened some more. Whether to gather his thoughts or reel in his anger, he didn’t know for sure. Maybe a little bit of both.
“Look jerk, if you know you aren’t going to say anything, don’t call this line again.” She yelled through the phone and he scowled as he held the phone away from his ear. Had her voice always sounded this annoying?
“Did you think you could wreak havoc on my Ruby’s life and get away with it?” He said slowly. The line went silent and Jaxon thought she had hung up.
“Your Ruby? Please… What’s so special about her anyway?” Kim said.
“Everything. She’s a Gem, and you’re well…” He left the sentence unfinished and he smiled when he got the reaction he desired. He could hear her heavy breathing through the phone and he knew she was seething.
“Oh, come on now Jaxon. You can’t mean that, I’m so much better than her you just have to give me a try,” Kim flirted shamelessly and he wondered as he had many times how on earth this whore was related to his Ruby. There just had to be something wrong somewhere.
“You’re delusional.” He told her and Kim laughed.
“How’s your precious little Gem doing?” She asked coyly and his jaw tensed.
“Believe it or not, she’s just fine. And if I ever find out you called her or reached out to her again, I will find you, and I will kill you this time. And believe me, I won’t go easy on you. I don’t care if you’re a woman and I definitely don’t care that you’re Ruby’s sister. You’ve officially lost that title since no sister would even dream of doing what you did.” He threatened, and he meant every word of that threat.
He heard Kim inhale sharply, no doubt weighing his words to consider how true they were. She would be in for a big surprise if she doubted him and tested his warning.
“Well if that’s the way it is, for me to leave your precious Ruby alone, send ten million dollars to me.” She demanded and he laughed. Loudly.
This woman was out of her mind. She was ordering him to do what she wanted. He would have to burst the bubble she was in. He guessed she thought she was the one holding all the cards. She was solely mistaken.
“If you think I’m Ruby, who would cave in and give you money? Well, you are in for a surprise.” He told her. He was aware Ruby had given Kim money before, had she given Kim this much? And Kim had the nerve to ask for that much again?
“I think you don’t understand. If you don’t send me the money, I’ll release the details of the contract to the press, and think of what that would do to your reputation and your company.” He smiled. She was so predictable.
“And don’t even dare they find me to shut me up. I’m doing it out before you even set out to find me.” She hissed. She needed money, now she was carrying a bastard in her womb. If she collected enough from Jaxon, she was going to abort the baby and start a new life. Then, ask for more money from Jaxon if she runs out. That was Kimberly’s plan.
“Go ahead, do it. Release the information to the press, I don’t care.” He told her.
“W- what?”
“Not what you expected to hear, hmmm?” He taunted.
“Do your worst. You’ve hit the jackpot with Ruby, but that’s where your luck ended. I’m not giving you a dime of my money.” He stated and then ended the call.
Satisfied, he strolled back to the bedroom. He met Ruby tossing and turning in bed from her recurring nightmare.
He got into bed behind her and took her in his arms. Gradually, she calmed down and settled back into a dreamless sleep and he followed her into it.