Chapter 541

Lena tracked down Ruby in the dimly lit corner of a local dive bar, the kind of place where secrets were traded like currency and plans hatched in the shadows.

"Ruby, how about you team up with me?" Lena's voice was low and conspiratorial. "Don't you want to see Josefina groveling at your feet, begging for mercy?"

The thought was tantalizing, Ruby had to admit. But was that day even within sight, given the current state of things?

She sized Lena up, noting the lack of her usual posh flair. "What happened to your high-class vibe, Lena? Did you burn through all your savings from the Harrisons? You're looking pretty down on your luck!"

Lena's jaw tightened. Damn Ruby and her sharp tongue.

Ruby pressed on, skepticism etched into her features. "Are you sure you can take on Josefina? You were with the Harrisons forever and never managed to get the best of her. What makes you think you can now? I'm not buying your plan."

Lena swallowed her pride; she needed an ally, and insults wouldn't secure her one.

"Ruby, who cares about my clothes? Focus on the plan's success. Don't you want to get back at Josefina? Isn't your current mess all her doing?"

"Sure, Josefina screwed me over, but taking her down isn't exactly a walk in the park. What's your angle? What can you do that you haven't done before?"

Being doubted, especially by Ruby, was infuriating.

"If you don't want to cooperate, fine," Lena snapped, rising to leave.

"Wait, Lena," Ruby called out, her interest piqued despite herself. "How exactly do you plan to take down Josefina?"

Lena turned with a cold smirk. "If you're not in, you don't need to know my plans." "I might be in, but I need the details first. What if your plan's half-baked?"

Reluctantly, Lena sat back down. "Here's the deal. We kidnap Josefina. You lure her out, and my people grab her. The rest isn't your concern; I've got connections to handle it. What do you think?"

Ruby snorted dismissively. "I think it's a lousy plan."

Lena fumed silently.

Ruby continued, "Do you not get that Josefina can handle herself? Who are you sending? Assassins? And what are your odds? She's a whiz with medicine; you think she won't sniff out poison? And if I call her, you think she'll just show up without her muscle?"

Ruby's words left Lena speechless.

"Didn't consider all that, did you?" Ruby leaned back, her disdain clear.

Grinding her teeth, Lena retorted, "Don't question who I have lined up. If I'm going after Josefina, trust that I've covered all bases. There won't be any slip-ups."

Ruby shook her head. "I don't trust you. Go home."

She had seen enough to know that few truly understood Josefina.

Standing, Lena shot back, "Scaredy-cat. No wonder you're a nobody, Ruby."

"If I'm such a nobody, why come to me?" Ruby called after Lena's retreating figure.

...

When Lauren returned, she found Ruby contemplating the bottom of her glass. "Ruby, did Lena come to you with a proposal?"

"Yeah, she wanted to team up, but I turned her down. Does she think I'm an idiot? She's just trying to use me as a stepping stone. If she could handle Josefina, would she have been kicked to the curb?"

Ruby was resigned, but Lauren was taken aback by her insight.