Page 270 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

Aubrey nods. “I know. This would just make it so much easier.”

With a groan, Benny flops onto the floor. “Wherearethey?”

I peer out the doorway and into the rest of the house. I think I heard them come inside. “I don’t know. But I’m sure it’ll only be a couple more minutes.”

Chapter twenty-one

Oliver

We gag Ludo with duct tape and drag him inside. He’s not putting up much of a fight. I’m not sure if it’s because of his injuries—I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a concussion—or if he’s trying to fake weakness so we go easy on him.

That’ll never happen.

The basement is dark and damp. Finn yanks open a metal door that looks newer than the rest of the house. Inside is what was once probably a cellar.

“Throw him in here,” Finn says. “We can chain him up.”

Finally, Holloway makes some noise of protest, but we ignore him. Rhett and Elliot shove Ludo into the cellar while I hold up a flashlight so they can see. There are chains attached to hooks that are embedded to the wall, and Finn gets to work restraining Ludo with them.

I don’t feel a shred of pity for locking him up in a dark, windowless room. He deserves far worse.

Once Finn has shut the door and turned all three locks on it, his gaze falls to us. “I need you three as alert as possible for our meeting with Axel tonight. Eat. Shower. Rest. We’re meeting him just after midnight.”

“Food sounds amazing,” I say tiredly. “One meal a day wasn’t nearly enough.”

Elliot’s gaze snaps to mine.“What?You only got one meal a day?”

“You got more?” I ask.

“I did,” Elliot says, guilt washing over his features.

It makes sense. We both heard Ludo say it—he needed Ell in perfect condition, not me.

“So did I,” Rhett says. “I ate with Benny.”

Something passes between Elliot and Rhett as they share a long, heavy look.

“Let’s get upstairs,” Finn says quietly.

“I’ll be a minute,” Meredith replies. She’s been eyeing the door since Finn locked it.

“He’s not worth your energy.” I tug her toward the stairs, but she doesn’t budge.

“Oh, my sweet boy.” Mom grabs my face and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m glad you’re safe. Now go upstairs and let me do this, okay?”

“You’re not going to kill him, are you?” I ask.

Mom’s gaze flicks to Rhett. “No. I know that’s not my place.”

“And keep him quiet,” Finn says as he tosses Mom the keys to the door. “Benny doesn’t know he’s down here, and I’d prefer not to have a traumatized twelve-year-old to deal with for the rest of the day.”

Once we’re upstairs, Finn moves toward the sound of a TV, and I figure that’s where everyone else is. He’s probably trying to give us a few minutes alone, which I appreciate.

But when I turn to Rhett, he doesn’t pull me into his arms or kiss me. He just grabs me and drags me into the kitchen. Elliot follows, avoiding my gaze.

I really should’ve kept the one meal a day thing to myself. He has enough guilt to deal with.

“Hey,” I protest when Rhett turns away from me and opens the fridge.