Page 104 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Did she recognize my voice? Fuck. She literally ran into Williams inside. If she knows I was here tonight, and then Edgar dies before the night is over, she’ll put the pieces together like it’s nothing. Or at least she’ll suspect. There’s no way his death won’t be all over the news.

“I don’t have any money,” Adam moans. “But she’s probably got a tablet in her bag. Always has it on her for her books and shit.”

She glares at him. “You’re a piece of shit, Adam.”

I kick him in the ribs, and he yells in pain. Then I reach for Wren.

Yelping, she smacks my hand away with her book. “Don’t touch me.”

I wrench it from her hands and grab her wrist. “I’m trying to help you,” I grit out, lowering my voice so she doesn’t recognize it.

“Wren? Adam?” a masculine voice calls.

Her eyes widen. “No. Not Thomas,” she whispers, taking an involuntary step back.

“Here,” Adam yells, slowly crawling to his feet.

Shit.I’m running out of time to get to my car. And there’s no way I’m leaving Wren. Not when she looks as terrified as she does right now.

I’m going to have to take her with me.

To her credit, she tries to run. Even stomps on my foot before she does. But she doesn’t even make it a step before I’m grabbing her and pulling her into me. My arms wrap around her torso, trapping her arms to her sides.

“Stop,” she shouts, wiggling and trying to stomp on my foot again. “I swear, if you kidnap me, and another stupid fuckingmangets in the way of me finally living my goddamned life, I’ll—I’ll… do SOMETHING!”

My whole body shakes from silent laughter. Is that seriously where her mind is going right now? God, she’s cute.

“We need to work on your self-preservation instincts,” I murmur.

She freezes. “Ol-”

I clap a hand over her mouth before she says my name. Adam can still hear us. “It’s me, princess,” I whisper in her ear. “And I need you to run.”

I let go of her, grab her hand, and pull her down the alley. There’s a shout behind us, I presume from whoever the fuck Thomas is, but I don’t look back.

At the end of the alley, I turn left onto the sidewalk, then wrench open the passenger door of my car and shove Wren inside. By the time I’ve shut myself into the driver’s seat, the man Wren elbowed inside the Grille comes bounding out of the alley, followed by a limping Adam.

I’ve never been more grateful for darkened windows in my life.

Wren shrinks down in her seat as I yank off my ski mask.

“Who is he?”

“My stepdad,” she pants as he looks our way. “Oh god, ohno—”

“He can’t see us. Just take deep breaths. I’ve got you. I promise.” As I reach out and take her hand, I peer at the parking garage exit. In under a minute, Williams’ driver is pulling his car out and onto the street.

Thomas and Adam are still looking up and down the road full of parked cars, searching for Wren. Starting my car will draw their attention, but if they don’t get out of here soon, I won’t have a choice. Williams is probably already waiting at the restaurant door. Picking him up won’t take long.

Get out of here, guys. Get out of herenow.

I’ve already fucked up by revealing my identity to Wren. Everything else has to go smoothly tonight. But what else was I supposed to do? Hurt Adam? What if it got pinned on Wren? And I certainly wasn’t going to leave her there.

“Wait.” She turns to me. “What were you doing here? And why were you wearing a mask? You scared the living hell out of me!”

I give one last glance to Adam and Thomas. Thomas has his phone to his ear, and he’s speaking rapidly.Shit.Did he call the cops? At least it looks like they’re heading back to the restaurant.

“Turn your phone off. To them, it looks like you got kidnapped, and we can’t have anyone trying to track you.”