Page 100 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

My shift goes by way too fast, and before I know it, I’m saying goodbye to Ava and trudging home. Going out with my mom is the last thing I want to do, especially since she’ll probably harass me about Adam again, but how am I supposed to say no?

At least she said she’s alone. I refuse to be in the same room as my stepdad. Not after…

I shiver.Don’t think about it, Wren. Don’t do that to yourself.

Once I’m home, I go through my post-work routine of showering, lotioning up, scrolling through my phone until I have the energy to get up, and then scrounging around in the kitchen for a snack.

All it does is remind me that I need to get myself some dishes. And potentially a roommate. No. No, moving into a smaller apartment is the better bet, I think. Or maybe I could get a job in graphic design that pays better.

Could I? Could I actually do it?

I’d probably have to make myself a portfolio, but that’s simple enough. I can work on it here and there in my free time. But would that do? I only have a minor in graphic design, since I majored in English. But at least Ihavea college degree, so companies won’t turn me down because of a lack of one.

Before I know it, I’m scrolling through job ads for graphic designers in Philadelphia. I don’t have a car, but there are enough public transportation options here that I’d be fine.

I bookmark a few promising jobs, and then I get ready for dinner, pulling on a dark pair of jeans and a pretty shirt. My mom chose a nice restaurant, which is odd considering she hates spending money, but whatever.

I put on more makeup than normal, knowing if I don’t my mom will make some kind of comment about how I’ve let myself go. Then I give myself a once-over in the mirror, wishing I was going out with Ava or the guys.

The restaurant—some place called the Garden Grille—isn’t too far away by subway, especially since I bring a book to read during the ride. Far too soon, I’m walking through the front doors, texting my mom to let her know that I’m here.

Turns out, though, I don’t need to bother. The second I walk up to the hostess stand, I spot my mom, and my stomach drops to the floor.

She’s not alone.

Adam’s parents, Mary Anne and Robert, sit at the table with my mom, my stepdad, and…

Adam.

For a moment, I’m frozen to the ground, my heart in my throat. They’re all chatting away, smiling at each other, except for Adam. His face is bruised, and one of his arms is in a sling. It takes me a second to remember that Rhett and Oliver are the ones who did that to him.

Without realizing, I take a step backward.Get out of here. Get out of here before they see you. Whatever mom has planned, it’s not—

I bump into someone, almost losing my balance before I right myself. “Sorry—”

“Watch where you’re going, young lady,” a man snaps loudly.Tooloudly.

It barely registers in my mind that the man I just ran into is Edgar Williams, a well-known businessman in the area. Because the next thing I know, my stepdad is out of his seat and walking toward me.

No. What the hell is he doing here? Mom said she was alone.

“Hello, Thomas,” I say tightly as he approaches.

“Wren.” He puts his hand on the small of my back, pushing me forward. I elbow him in the gut. He grunts.

“Don’t you dare touch me, you piece of shit.” Shoving his arm off me, I march to the table and glare at my mother. “What the hell is going on? I thought this was just supposed to be you and me.”

“Well hi, honey. Nice to see you too.” My mom stands and pulls me into a hug. “We’re all just worried about you. We want to make sure you’re not going to regret your…life choices.”

I pull away. “This is an intervention?”

“Well…”

Oh. my. god.

“No. No, I’m not doing this.” With a shake of my head, I turn to go, but Thomas is blocking my path. “Seriously?”

“Sit down,” he snaps. His arms are crossed over his chest, his face set with hard determination. If I was ten years younger, it’d have me quivering and obeying every single one of his commands.