Page 128 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Once we’re in Elliot’s SUV, I take Oliver’s hand in the backseat.

There’s a certain thrill to not knowing what’s about to happen. Normally, it’d make me nervous as hell. But over the past week, my feelings for these men have only deepened. I’d follow them just about anywhere if they asked me to.

I don’t think you understand that if, somehow, we lost you, we’d burn the whole world to the fucking ground to find you again.

It’s a long drive to the club, but I don’t mind. I’m filled with a tingly anticipation at whatever is going to happen tonight. So when we get out of the car and enter the club through a private entrance, I’m so excited that I barely feel the winter air biting at my skin.

Inside, it’s loud and overwhelming, with deep purple and blue lights. But Elliot keeps a comforting hand on the small of my back, and Oliver and Rhett stay close as well.

I expect us to head to the bar or the dance floor, but instead Elliot ushers me up a stairwell and into a semi-private room. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, I look down on the dance floor and the ocean of bodies below. You can still hear the music, but it’s not as loud.

Standing right behind me, Elliot places his hands on my hips. “Do you know who owns Evolve, Wren?”

I watch his reflection in the window as I shake my head.

“His name is Ludo Holloway. Recognize it?”

I frown. “Maybe? I’m not sure.”

Rhett steps up to the window on my right side, and Oliver does the same on my left. The tension rolling off of Rhett is so potent, so intense, that I can’t help but reach out and take his hand in mine.

He nods to the floor of the club. “See the sectioned off area? And the man in the red leather jacket?”

It takes me a second, but I find it. The area is slightly raised, overlooking the club. The man Rhett spoke of is slouching on a black couch, arms resting on the back of it with his legs spread open. Two women are sitting on either side of him. He’s smirking as he surveys the dance floor, looking like a modern-day king.

“I see him.”

My stomach sinks. Rhett’s expression may be neutral, but the rage rolling off of him tells a different story. I can only think of a couple reasons for it.

When Rhett turns to me, I have to fight not to shrink back from the absolute fury in his eyes.

“He killed my little sister. Sammy.”

My breath catches in my throat. It’s what I was expecting, but hearing the words out loud still hits hard.

Rhett continues. “Back then, he wasn’t nearly as powerful. Now? He owns half of the criminal underworld in the city. There are very few people who don’t bow down to him.”

“Edgar Williams was one of those people,” Elliot says.

What?

Oh my god. No. No, they wouldn’t.

“You work for the man who murdered your sister.” My voice comes out flat.

“Sometimes, yes.”

Pulling away from Elliot, I whip around to face the three of them. “Why? That makes no sense. How can you even stand to look at him? He murdered a child. Yoursister.”

“Because,” Rhett says, reaching out and tilting my chin up with a single finger. He doesn’t seem phased at all by the disgust in my voice. He just looks down at me with that piercing gaze of his. “The closer we are to him, the better the view of his downfall will be.”

He holds my gaze as I put the pieces together.

They aren’t just hitmen. Not in the least.

“You’re in this for revenge.”

Rhett nods.