Page 185 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

By the time I’ve parked, I’ve imagined ten different ways to wring the information out of Ludo if he doesn’t volunteer it easily. I can’t do any of them—I’m not stupid—but I can at least pretend.

When I shove the doors to the club open, I come face to face with a large man dressed in all black.

“Sir, the club doesn’t open until much later tonight. Only staff members are allowed inside right now.”

“Where’s Holloway?” I snap, brushing past him.

“You can’t just barge in here—”

“Really? Because it sure looks like I did.”

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you—”

“Holloway,” I shout. “You get your ass down here rightfuckingnow.”

“Already here,” a deep voice drawls from somewhere to my left. “Just enjoying the show.”

I whip around just as the guard grabs me. He tries to drag me back toward the entrance, but I shove him off me.

“Whereis she?” I demand.

“Who?”

“Wren! Do you know where Jordan is keeping her? Because I swear to god, Ludo, if I find out you know where she is and you’re doingnothing,I’ll—”

“Careful, Oliver. Are you really about to say you’d kill the most powerful man in Philadelphia on camera?” Ludo gestures upward toward the security cameras. “Doesn’t sound like a smart move to me.”

“Do you know where he has her?” I grit out.

“Jordan. Jordan Williams?”

I nod.

Ludo shrugs. “Why would I? It’s not like we’re business partners or anything.”

“I saw the way you were watching Wren last weekend. Tell me you haven’t been keeping tabs on her. Go ahead. Lie to my face.”

With a sigh, Ludo slips his hands into the pockets of his red leather jacket. “I may be known as a lot of things, Moore. Ruthless, cruel, brilliant. But one thing you need to understand is that when I see a line, I think long and hard before I cross it. You following?”

“She’s ours.”

“Exactly. And I quite like having the three of you as my allies, regardless of whether your woman is my type or not. I haven’t touched her, I don’t plan on touching her, and I don’t know where she is.”

I’m not sure if I believe him, but I have no leverage to force an answer out of him. And, for now, we need to stay on Ludo’s good side. So I move to leave, but his voice stops me.

“Do you know what he wants?”

“Revenge.” I turn around again to look at him. “He figured out you ordered the kill on Edgar, but he’s too scared to come after you, so he took her instead. Or at least that’s our working theory.”

Ludo shrugs. “I’m sure he won’t kill her until he has you all there to watch.”

I can’t wait to rip you to shreds, you fucking monster.

“You know, if you’re so desperate to get to her, why don’t you get yourself kidnapped?”

“What?”

“If Jordan wants revenge, he’s probably got eyes on you at all times. It’s not like he doesn’t have the resources, what with inheriting everything from his uncle. So put yourself in a vulnerable position. Get yourself kidnapped. He’ll take you to wherever he’s keeping Wren. I’m sure your other lovers would find a way to save you both.”