Steve Burton saw the look in Ruby Gregory's eyes and spoke softly with a slight apology in his tone, "Did I wake you up?"
Ruby looked at the handsome man, who appeared a bit weary due to not sleeping all night. Thinking about the words he had just said in the study, she found her throat slightly choked up, making it difficult to speak. She shook her head gently at Steve, then felt a wave of heat well up in her eyes as she buried her head into Steve's chest.
Steve saw the redness in Ruby's eyes and thought she was still frightened by what had happened last night. He reached out his hand and held her tightly in his embrace, stroking her back and whispering in her ear, "Ruby, I'm sorry for not protecting you well yesterday. Rest assured, I won't let anyone hurt you again. When Chise and Candice grow up, they will accompany me in protecting you and them..."
