Page 76 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

He swallows, his gaze piercing me, like he’s looking straight into my heart. And then he releases me with a sigh.

Elliot touches my arm. “Wren, I think you should—”

“No!” I shout, standing and glaring up at him. “No. You don’t get to be patient and gentle and fuckingniceto me, just to do this. You don’t get to make me feel the most cared for, the most safe, the most valued I’ve ever felt in my life, just to rip it away from me because you’re afraid. I’m afraid, too, Elliot. Ofthis.Of getting my heart broken again. But the three of you have embedded yourselves so deeply into me that I don’t think I’ll ever get you out, so here I am. I’m fucking facing my fears, Elliot. So why can’t you?”

He just stares at me for a moment. Oliver’s mouth is hanging open, and while I can’t see Rhett, I can feel his stare burning the skin on the back of my neck.

“Wren—”

“Don’t you dare tell me I should leave,” I whisper. Another tear falls.

He swallows. Sighs. “I think you’re right.”

I was already preparing a counter-argument, so his words are the last thing I expected. I stumble backward, shocked. Rhett places a hand on my back to steady me.

He thinks I’m…right?

“Jesus,” Oliver mutters. “You can reason with this fuckwit? Shit. Now we’re never letting you go.”

Chapter fourteen

Rhett

“You’re an idiot, you know that?”

Elliot lets out an unamused laugh. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”

We’re both standing off to the side of the kitchen, giving Oliver and Wren a little privacy while they say goodbye. She decided she wants to spend the night at her apartment since she has to get up so early, and I volunteered to drive her home since my vehicle handles snow the best.

The thought of leaving Wren at her apartment for the night is like a punch in the gut. We’ve only had her for two days, but they’ve been so fucking perfect. I’ve always had Oliver and Elliot, and I always will. But none of us can deny how easily she fits in with us—like she was made for us.

When Oliver finally pulls away from Wren with one last kiss, I shove Elliot forward.

“Make it fucking count.”

As Oliver moves to stand next to me, Elliot stays frozen, staring at Wren. She gives him a watery smile, and only when she holds out her arms to him does he step into her reach.

I don’t know what they’re saying to each other, but based on the look of relieved adoration on Wren’s face, they’ll be okay—with time.

And we’ll make sure we have it.

A chance—that’s whatwe all agreed to. It’s too early to jump into any type of commitment until she gets to know us better, and vice versa. But all of us are determined to make this work, Elliot especially.

He just needed Wren to set him straight first.

Oliver checks his phone, sighing. “You shouldn’t have any trouble tonight. But at the first sign—”

“How about this?” I kiss him on the forehead. “I’ll call once Wren is in her apartment, regardless. And you don’t leave Elliot alone to his thoughts. Pretty sure he’s feeling like shit right now.”

He nods, and I squeeze his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”

Wren finally lets Elliot go, and I let out a relieved breath at the lack of tears in her eyes. If she ends up crying on the way home, I’m not sure what I’ll do. The best I reallycando is hold her hand and try not to panic.

Shouldering Wren’s bag, I grab Elliot before he walks away. He avoids my gaze, but I guide his chin up with two fingers. Yup—definitely feeling guilty.

I leave him with a kiss and a murmured, “Let it go.” Then, with Wren’s hand in mine, we head out to the garage. She holds on until the last possible second before climbing into my truck.

“Thank you for taking me home,” she says as we pull out.