Dark All Over

"It's very unusual."

Angelo had politely refrained from complaining when Ruby asked him to meet outside the hospital, but when he had to reluctantly draw Ruby's blood in an open space, he certainly did complain. Still polite, though. Ed's old chokehold grip still made him wary of any member of the Rosas family.

"Once again, I'm sorry." Ruby nodded her head with deep regret. This was the umpteenth time she had apologized. "I didn't know who else to ask for help," Ruby said.

"I don't want to interfere, but from experience, it would be better if you're honest about everything—I mean, about the test results. There's no need to keep it a secret," Angelo said while releasing the tourniquet from Ruby's upper arm and continuing to press on the puncture site at her inner elbow.

The alcohol swab felt cold on Ruby's skin as she continued to stare at it. Ruby couldn't promise to follow Angelo's suggestion.

"It's not that easy," Ruby murmured.

"Of course it's not easy, but I'm sure Don Rosas will