Page 20 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

Second, considering we’re going to be watching over his fiancée, he trusts us at least somewhat.

And lastly, we bring something the average bodyguard doesn’t bring to the table: experience tailing and killing people. It doesn’t sound relevant until I realized we’ll look at every situation more thoroughly.

We’re hitmen first. At this point it’s part of our DNA. So every room, every scenario, every event we go to will be analyzed from a different perspective. We know what we’d do if we were hired to do the opposite of protecting Aubrey, which gives us a leg up in keeping her safe. Extra vigilance and foresight are valuable to Ludo.

Once I get to Finn’s, he’s waiting for me at the front door. His dark hair is tousled and messy, like he’s been running his hands through it absentmindedly all night. Hell, now that I’m looking at him, he looks paler than normal as well.

“You good?” I ask as I step inside.

“Just tired.” His voice is rough and scratchy. When I give him a look of disbelief, he rolls his eyes. “Maybe a touch sick, too. Probably best to keep your distance.”

“Sorry to keep you up all night.” Hovering near the door, I grimace. He really does look like shit.

“Probably wouldn’t’ve slept anyway. Too much on my mind.” He tosses me the sunglasses. “Wanna explain why you’re doing things this way? You know, instead of doing it yourself, since you guys are the fucking professionals?”

I catch the sunglasses with ease, eyeing him carefully. “Are you worried?”

“How the hell could Inotbe worried? You’re going up against one of the most powerful men in the city, and Wren isn’t ready to protect herself if something goes wrong.”

“That’s what we’re for. We’re not letting anything else happen to her.”

“Right.” Finn crosses his arms, cocking an eyebrow. “And if Ludo decides to use all his resources against you? What then?”

“That won’t happen. We’re being careful. He won’t know what hit him until it’s too late.”

“Going to the man I’m trying to get close to and accusing him of knowing where my kidnapped girlfriend is, is far fromcareful,Moore. Jesus. What were you thinking?”

“What? How did you find out about that?”

“A little bird told me.” With a shake of his head, Finn says, “Don’t you think the timing is odd? You storm into his club and accuse him of keeping tabs on Wren, and not even a week later he’s offering you guys a job.”

That makes my blood run cold. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

My admission seems to make something break inside Finn. He laughs, throwing his hands up, like he’s dealing with a petulant child. “You guys are losing your touch. I don’t know if it’s Wren or if it’s that you’ve been playing the game for too long. But if you don’t get your shit in order, you’re going to lose her. You’re going to losemorethan her.”

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“Seriously. How did Elliot not put this together?”

The snack in my stomach sours. “I never told him.”

“What?” Finn yells.

“I… shit.” Scrubbing a hand over my face, I say, “I forgot to mention it. There was so much happening, and I was so focused on getting Wren back. And then she’s been—fuck. That isn’t relevant. I have to go. We need to figure this out.”

“Damn right you do,” Finn growls. “And you need to do something about Wren. She couldn’t even protect herself in her own apartment.”

“We’re doing our best,” I grit out.

“Are you?” he snaps. “Are you doing your best? Or are youhopingto do your best?” He taps his head while his glare bores into me. “It all starts up here, Oliver. Don’t leave room for mistakes in your head, or you’ll find yourself making them. Get your heads straight.”

I’d be angry about the way he’s talking to me, but it’s well-warranted. If I hadn’t been so distracted, my earlier suspicion of Ludo would’ve made a lot more sense.

Finn sighs when I don’t give him an answer. “I know you know what it’s like to lose someone,” he says, much more softly this time. “But Sammy’s murder wasn’t your fault, not even remotely. And being the reason behind the death of someone you love…” He doesn’t continue.

He doesn’t have to. I know his past.

“You’re right. Thank you.”