Page 212 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

“This isn’t your fault,” I tell him as quietly as I can.

“Don’t worry about that, O.” He squeezes me. “Just try to relax.”

Nestling my face against his chest, I close my eyes. They’re swollen from crying, but my tears have dried up—for now, at least. As I try to do what Elliot told me and relax, I slip my hand underneath his shirt. I want to feelhim,not fabric.

I didn’t think I was tired enough to sleep, but with Elliot’s body cradling mine, I find myself drifting off after what feels like twenty minutes. He’s strong yet soft, and always so comforting.

“I love you,” he murmurs as he presses a kiss to my temple.

I tuck the words into my mind, savoring the meaning in Elliot’s voice.

For all I know, that’s the last time I’ll ever hear him say it.

Chapter three

Rhett

I never told her I loved her.

My heart aches as the thought flits through my mind for the hundredth time since Ludo revealed he knew we betrayed him. I’ve been worried sick about Wren. We have no clue where she is or how long she’ll be able to stay in hiding for. With Finn helping her, she’ll probably be fine, but Ludo will stop at nothing to find her.

What if I never get the chance to tell her? What if I die before I’m ever able to see her again? What if Oliver and Elliot are already dead?

More repeating thoughts. They make me sick to my stomach as I grip the balcony’s railing and stare out over the yard.

I spent the entirety of yesterday locked up in Aubrey’s old bedroom. Someone brought me food, but I refused to eat it. I don’t want anything from Holloway, nor am I sure that I trust it.

This morning, I woke up and enjoyed a few blissful moments of comfort before reality came crashing down on me. The comfortable mattress and soft sheets tricked me into thinking I was home.

Now, the spring air envelops me as I watch Holloway’s men patrol the perimeter of the yard. It seems that our betrayal has triggered Ludo to be even more cautious. He’s at least doubled the amount of men he has outside since the wedding.

I sigh. Without a clock, I’m unsure of what time it is. Sometime around nine, probably, given that the sun rose a couple hours ago.

It doesn’t matter,I realize bitterly.Time doesn’t mean anything anymore.

Maybe it will one day if we can find a way out of here. For now, though, I’m left studying the patterns of the guards and straining to hear conversations that could mean anything. If we try to escape, wehaveto make sure we’re successful, or my brothers will die.

We’llalldie.

My grip on the railing tightens as images of Oliver and Elliot’s tortured, mangled corpses flit through my mind. I can’t think like that. As far as I know, they’re still alive. If I can cling to that, maybe I can find a way to save us.

It’s the least you can do, you selfish, uncaring bastard.

We wouldn’t be in this damn position if it weren’t for me. If I could’ve found a way to be satisfied with Ludo’s death andonlyhis death, then this would all be far in the past. We could’ve killed Ludo years ago and moved on.

Instead, I’ve subjected us to a decade of misery. None of us have been able to fully heal from Sammy’s death because I wanted to draw out Ludo’s suffering. I put the people I love the most through hell, and for what? We failed.

They’re going to die because of you.

I grit my teeth, wishing I could untangle my father’s voice from the thoughts spinning around in my head.

Useless.

No good.

All your fault.

The bedroom door opens, and I whip around at the sound. Two men step inside, both tall with broad shoulders.