Page 68 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

I look out into the dark garage. When I got out of the truck, he was on the phone with Freddy, explaining what really happened—even though the truth will never appear in the papers tomorrow.

He emerges from the darkness, grinning. “I’m fine, princess. Not even a scratch.”

Wren relaxes into me.

“Why are you guys still up?” I inhale the sweet scent from her hair, and instantly my heart feels calmer.

“She’s still Adam’s emergency contact in his phone. Got a call saying he was on the way to the hospital, barely conscious.” Elliot runs a hand over his face, trying to rub his tiredness away. “She put the pieces together pretty easily. Smart girl.” He gives her a proud smile, which she returns. “How did the authorities get called so quickly?” Elliot stands with a yawn.

“He had a gun pointed at Rhett. I shot him.”

Elliot freezes.“What?”

Wren’s arms tighten around me as she lets out a startled noise.

“It was empty,” I say. “The stupid fuck probably didn’t even know how to load it.”

Elliot grips the counter. “Never again, Rhett. Next time, do the proper fucking recon.”

I don’t look at him. Can’t. The terror in his voice is too much, and I know it’s written all over his face, too.

“Please,” he says, and I’m pretty sure his voice almost breaks.

I swallow. “Never again.”

Wren shoves away from me. I feel empty without her against my chest, but I let her go. She glares up at me, and not in a playful way. My heart fucking stops when I see the tears in her eyes.

No. No, please, not you.

“If you would’ve asked, I could’ve told you he has a gun.Andthat he only got it to brag about it.” She shoves her finger at my chest. “He doesn’t know how to use it—although hethinkshe does.”

I just watch her, relief flooding my chest.She doesn’t hate me. It’s the opposite. She cares too fucking much, just like I do.

“Hey.” Oliver steps forward, pulling her into his arms. “We’re okay. He’s safe.”

“Barely,” she murmurs, sniffling.

I reach for her hand, and she lets me hold it. God, she’s shaking. But she pulls me closer, and I wrap my arms around both of them. In an instant, Elliot is onthe other side of them, mirroring my movements. He leans his forehead against Oliver’s with a relieved sigh.

But then Wren tenses, and her breaths turn shallow and panicked. We pull away, giving her some space.

“What if you go to prison?” she cries, looking between me and Oliver. Her tears finally spill over. “You can’t go to prison!”

We all bust out laughing. Oh, she’scute.

“Not happening, princess. Don’t worry about it.”

She frowns, looking between the three of us. “What did you guys say you do for work again?”

“We didn’t,” I say firmly. “And it’s staying that way. For now.”

She huffs, but when Oliver kisses her, she pulls away with a tired smile.

“Yeah, you need sleep.” Elliot scoops her up into his arms, and she laughs. “For real this time.”

He kisses Oliver, and then me. Wren watches us with a soft expression on her face. Happiness? Contentment? Compersion? I can’t quite place it.

She looks at me, stretching upward, and I press my lips to hers. Then, with a whispered, “Goodnight,” from her, Elliot carries her upstairs.