Max sensed Cathleen’s reluctance when he saw her take a half-step backward. He took Angelique by the hand and brought her closer to the Rooney family. “I just realized that I’ve been a dreadful host and forgot to make some introductions. Gus, Cathleen, girls…this is Angelique Chevalier. She’s here for a visit, and I would have to say she’s probably one of Bennett’s closest and most trusted friends.” Max turned to Angelique. “And these fine people are Gus and Cathleen Rooney, their daughters, Fallon and Kenna, and the sleeping lumps are their sons, Aiden and Liam. Gus is one of Bennett’s guardians.”

Angelique arched an eyebrow and turned to the towering man, her eyes drawn to the menacing scar down the side of his face. “You’re Bennett’s guardian?”

“Yep,” Gus said, a hint of humor in his eyes. “I kinda forced her into it.”

“Now that’s a story I have to hear,” Angelique said, chuckling. Catching sight of Cathleen shifting Aiden again, Angelique stepped in front of the woman. “Please, let me take him. Bennett is my best and truest friend, and I would gladly give up my life before I'd allow anything to happen to one of hers.”

Cathleen took a staggered breath and handed off her sleeping son.

“Right,” Angelique said, slanting her head toward the stairs. “Up we go. Max, which rooms?”

“Oh, the blue suite. It’s at the end of the west wing, and if anyone needs food or drink, please let me know. I have kitchen staff that can make you anything you’d like.”

“Thanks, Max,” Gus said, but as he walked past Max, he stopped and lowered his voice. “Is everyone else all right? Bennett was worried about Lisa.”

Max stared down at his hands, unable to look the man in the eye for fear his own would overflow. “Get your family sorted, Gus, and if you’d like to talk later, I’ll be in my study. All right?”

“Um…yeah. Sure.”

Max stood watching the family ascending the steps until Victor returned to his side. “What is it,” Max said, turning to the man.

“Sir, there’s something else you need to know. It’s about Ruby Miller.”

Chapter Forty-Two

A buzz found its way through the darkness to Ruby’s ears. It was a constant, annoying, monotonous buzz that had Ruby wincing before she even opened her eyes. That was a task in and of itself. Blood had puddled and dried, sealing Ruby’s eyes closed, and it took a minute of rubbing to break away the crimson cement. Ruby worked her jaw from side to side. The fractures had healed, and all the teeth Bennett had loosened were rooted again, and after blinking away her blurred vision, Ruby sat up.