Page 207 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Downstairs, I whip up a quick breakfast of cheesy omelettes and more coffee. Everyone makes quiet conversation, mostly asking the usual, “How did you sleep?”

Apparently, everyone slept as shittily as I did. And if the stiff way Rhett is walking is any indication, staying in bed for most of the night probably left him sore and aching, too.

“Lesson learned,” I say, rubbing my lower back. “It was nice to wake up with all of you, but my body can’t take it agai-”

I pause when we hear a yell coming from the part of the house where we’re keeping Jordan. Wren’s smile fades, and her posture goes from open and relaxed to closed off and tense. She hugs herself, chewing on the inside of her lip.

“You okay, love?”

“I forgot he was here.”

I set an omelette in front of her, but she doesn’t touch it. At some point, we’ll have to deal with Jordan. I think all of us would prefer for that time to be soon. But ultimately, the decision is up to Wren. Whenever she’s ready.

She stares at her omelette like it’s going to jump up and attack her. Then she slips off the stool. “I just need a minute.”

The sheer willpower it takes for all three of us not to stop her is astronomical. But we let her go. If she needs a moment to herself, that’s understandable. She hasn’t gotten one since we brought her home.

My guess is she’s heading back to my room. It’s in the opposite direction of where Jordan is, and with the distance, she probably won’t be able to hear him yelling.

“We need to change things,” Rhett says gruffly. He takes a swig of coffee before setting it on the counter harder than he needs to.

“Meaning?” I ask.

“We’re not leaving her again. And I don’t like the idea of two of us going on long distance jobs while one of us stays with her, either. We work best as a team.”

Oliver nods in agreement. “I think she should have a say in what jobs we take. You said it yourself last night, Ell. She’s part of our family. And being a part of us means being part of the decision-making process.”

“I think we should take it a step further,” I say, watching both of them. “Wren can’t protect herself. We can teach her to, but it’ll take time. So even if we stick with local jobs, I think she should be able to tell us not to take one if it makes her feel unsafe. No questions asked, we drop it. Just like that.” I snap my fingers.

Normally, if one of us has a problem with a job that gets sent our way, we talk it through before making a decision. This is similar to that, but it gives Wren slightly more power. And considering she’s the one who doesn’t have the ability to keep herself safe, I think it’s fair.

“I have no problems with that,” Rhett says.

Oliver nods. “Same. Whatever she needs.”

We eat breakfast in silence. When Wren hasn’t come down by the time we’ve finished the dishes, I set out to find her.

Upstairs, my bedroom door is open. The curtains are still drawn, blocking out the sunlight, but the bedside lamp is on. Wren is sitting on top of the crumpled sheets, leaning back on her hands. The glow of the lamp caresses her skin, wrapping her in warmth.

Since she didn’t hear me step into the room, I let myself watch her for a moment. Her eyes are closed, her breathing slow and even. I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment. One filled with the safety of being alone, of knowing no one’s watching you. One in which you don’t have to perform for anyone.

I knock lightly on the doorframe. “Hey.”

She looks at me. The hollowness in her eyes is like a punch in the gut. “Hey.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she says softly.

I wish you wouldn’t lie to me.

Easing onto the bed next to her, I take her hands in mine. “Wren, the past couple weeks have been a lot. It’s—”

“I’m fine.”

I shake my head. “You’re not.”

She looks away.