Page 203 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

Finn’s expression is grim as he looks up from the monitor. “It’s already too late.”

No.How could he know that? He can’t, right? Not for sure, at least.

But Finn nods toward Elliot’s second monitor, and hesitantly, I make my way around the desk.

He has a map pulled up, and there are three blue dots blinking on the screen. If I hadn’t spent so much time studying the blueprints, I probably wouldn’t recognize the building from a bird’s-eye view.

My blood pressure spikes. “That’s Ludo’s mansion.”

“And those dots are their phones,” Finn says. “So either they’re having a long conversation with Ludo about their next steps—in which case, one of them would’ve texted you an updated arrival time—or he’s found them out somehow. In which case…”

“Don’t,” I whisper. “Please don’t say it out loud.”

A vein pulses above Finn’s right eyebrow. “Run me through everything that happened yesterday. Don’t leave anything out—not even the tiny details.”

As I do, his expression goes from a light frown to a disturbed one. It more or less sends any hope I have left down the drain.

“As far as you’re aware,” Finn says once I’m done explaining, “Axel had no prior reason to suspect you or the guys?”

“Correct. According to the conversation Oliver overheard, Axel’s accusation of us being Ludo’s rat was only because we were present during Aubrey’s attempted kidnapping. Oh, and that I got close to her.”

“Odd,” Finn murmurs. “You’d think he would spend his energy on more likely suspects.” He only sits with the thought for a moment before moving on. “You’re sure you’re not forgetting anything?”

“Positive. Running into Axel was the closest I got to getting caught.”

“Hmm.” Finn narrows his eyes. “It’s possible someone saw you but you didn’t see them. Or maybe Holloway’s aversion to technology is all a ruse, and he caught something on camera.”

My eyes slide back to the monitor. “How do we know for sure? That they’re in trouble, that is?”

Finn checks his watch. “Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t gotten confirmation yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never met Ludo, but I’ve learned a lot about him through the guys. He likes to draw out his punishments. For the guys, that means hurting Rhett’s brothers, torturing the three of them, and…”

“Hurting me,” I finish quietly.

Finn nods solemnly. “I’ve been waiting for you to get a text from one of the guys’ phones luring you to Ludo’s mansion. But nothing’s come through, right?”

“Right.” My knees feel oddly weak, so I lean against the desk. “Is there any chance you’re wrong? That maybe they’re just too distracted to text me?”

“They wouldn’t forget.”

“But maybe—”

“They wouldn’t forget.” Finn’s voice is firm, and I almost miss the undercurrent of irritation. “Has there ever been a moment where they didn’t consider how their actions would affect you?”

All the air rushes from my lungs. He’s right. Since day one, they’ve always made sure to take my wellbeing into account.

“We can find them, right? We can find a way to get them out of there?”

“Right now, we need to focus on your safety,” Finn replies. “That and making sure this information stays in our hands.”

I perk up. “Can we use it? Could we blackmail Ludo into handing the guys over?”

Finn shakes his head. “Ludo would only retaliate. Either by killing one of the guys or Andrew or Benny.”

“Then what can we do?” I ask desperately.