Ruby's Fantasy by Cathleen Ross

like I do. Predators live here. Pure evil exists here. The inhabitants will eat you alive without me to protect you.’
    â€˜But I’m used to handling things myself, doing everything for myself.’
    â€˜So you keep saying.’ His expression changed from his serious demeanour and he gave her a cheeky grin.
    â€˜What’s so funny?’ she asked suspiciously
    â€˜I live right next door.’ He pointed to her kitchen where a wall divided the other semi from hers. ‘I heard you in the bath yesterday. The walls are thin. Sound travels. Sounded like you needed me big time.’
    A hot flush raced up her throat and she felt it scour her cheeks. ‘You…live…next door? You mean upstairs?’
    â€˜You want me bad, Princess.’
    She felt her mouth drop open.
    â€˜I heard you calling my name.’
    Ruby clapped her hands to her cheeks. ‘That’s so embarrassing.’
    â€˜Hope you’re impressed with how well I answered your call.’ He glanced at his watch again. He leant forward and gave her a swift kiss. ‘The glass company will be here in twenty minutes. I’ll see you downstairs.’ He flashed her a devastating smile, turned and walked down the hallway to the stairs that led down to her shop.

Chapter 5
    Jake and his business partner, former commando Gray, otherwise known as Ghost, fitted the heavy security screen door to the front of Ruby’s shop. Next to him, the glass company men cleared away the remaining broken glass and prepared the windowsill for the new pane.
    Jake rubbed his forehead for a moment. Something was eating at Ruby. He got it. She had trust issues. Clearly money was one of her hot buttons too, but it wouldn’t take a lot to improve her security.
    He didn’t take chances. He had a prenatal sense of danger, an edgy sensation that resonated up and down his spine, the type of feeling that had kept him alive in Afghanistan. If he had a hunch something wasn’t right, he obeyed his instincts, and his buddy, Ghost, followed him, since he’d saved his arse numerous times in Ghan.
    â€˜Morning, gentlemen. Have some trouble here?’ asked a passerby Jake recognised as Abe Malouf, the owner of a strip joint and club situated next door to Ruby’s shop.
    Jake gave him a nod. Ghost grunted before fitting the drill bit into their tool. ‘Give me a moment, Ghost. Abraham, can I have a word?’
    The club owner pulled a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one. He drew back hard and his eyes narrowed. ‘The blonde upset someone?’
    Jake could see dark circles under the man’s eyes. His skin was pallid and he had a paunch, a legacy from long night hours and little exercise. From updating the club’s security, Jake knew Abraham had a network of relatives that stretched through The Cross and beyond. His club held regular strip shows, which weren’t Jake’s thing, but Abe was keen to keep the bikie domination of the drug trade out of his club because it brought in the cops and Jake was more than happy to assist by installing top security measures. ‘Looks like it. I was hoping you could help me with a lead. A man with a spider tattoo on his face climbed in the shop front window last night. Description fit anyone you know?’
    Abraham paused to consider before shaking his head. ‘Come down to the club. Ask my bouncers. They’ll be back on tonight. I also need you to check the security device over the bar on the second floor. It’s not recording. Had some complaints from customers last night about the service and I went to see for myself what was going on. Couldn’t play the recording back to check it.’
    â€˜I’ll come by later. Thanks.’ Jake shook his hand, but the club owner didn’t move on.
    â€˜Good looking woman bought the property. Nice neighbour to have.’
    â€˜Better looking than you, Abe.’
    Abe snorted. ‘Bound to draw