Page 163 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

“Six months,” Oliver murmurs.

I nod, my thoughts racing.

“Six months,” Rhett says, glancing between the two of us. “Six months, and then we’re done.”

Chapter four

Rhett

Friday morning, the coffee shop isn’t terribly busy. I find myself checking the exits repeatedly, like doing so now will somehow protect Wren while we’re gone. Thankfully, Oliver and Ell are too busy watching Wren work to notice.

Jesus. We’re all fucking wrecked for this woman.

I sip on my black coffee while looking around the shop again. Everything is exactly the way it always is. I know I’m just being paranoid. But ever since Oliver told us that Ludo was watching her the other night, I’ve been on edge.

Wren catches my eye and smiles. I freeze.

Just watch her the next time she looks at one of us. That’s not a rebound look.

Oliver was right. Last night, I made sure to watch Wren more closely, and the way her eyes lit up or her gaze softened whenever she looked at one of us had my heart aching. I never should’ve doubted her. Trusting people just… doesn’t come easily to me.

“We should get going soon,” Elliot says reluctantly.

I tear my gaze away from Wren. Six months. Six months, and then all of this will be over, and we’ll never have to leave her again.

None of us really knows what life will look like after Ludo is dead. Will we still take on jobs? I don’t know. It’s not like we need the money. We’re taking them now because of reputation and connections reasons. But in the future, I’d like to know that Ell, Oliver, and Wren are safe. Our lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to that kind of security easily.

Once we’ve finished our coffee, we stand. Wren comes around the counter, giving Elliot and Oliver lingering hugs and quick kisses. When she turns to me, I sweep her up into my arms and press my face into her hair.

“I’ll see you soon,” she says. “Stay safe.”

“Always.” I kiss her. And then I kiss her again, this time more deeply, a secret apology for my doubts last night.

She looks a little flustered as I pull away—maybe even a little embarrassed. When I look around, I see why. Multiple other customers are watching the four of us. Some curiously, some judgmentally. A single look from me, and they immediately go back to minding their own damn business.

As we leave the coffee shop, I look back. Wren is watching us from behind the counter. She waves, and I nod. And when the door shuts behind me, I can’t help but shake the feeling that I’m leaving a very vital part of me behind.

***

One of the many benefits of having access to a private plane is not having to deal with nearly as many people. It makes the whole boarding process a lot easier, and I’m able to relax more on the flight.

Once we’re in the air, Elliot pulls out his laptop. “I just have some things I want to go over.”

“I should probably try to catch up on sleep,” I say. I tried to rest last night, but I wasn’t able to. Typical.

“I’ll come too,” Oliver chirps. “To help you relax.”

Elliot rolls his eyes and laughs, not looking up from his laptop as we move into the bedroom.

I flop onto the bed stomach down, hiding my smile in the pillows when Oliver crawls on top of me and straddles my ass. His hands move to my shoulders, massaging, and I can’t help but groan. He works me for a few minutes, focusing on the knots in my shoulders before moving down my arms.

“You know you’re supposed to relax when someone’s giving you a massage, right?”

“I am relaxed.”

“Jesus Christ. Your muscles are literal rocks,” Oliver says.

“They’re not the only thing that’s hard,” I grumble.