Page 10 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Oliver

My morning with Aubrey is pretty uneventful. I’m not sure how I feel about her and Wren getting closer, but it could be a great way to weasel our way into Ludo’s personal life more. The closer, the better, honestly.

Aubrey and Wren are both hungry, so we stop for food first. By the time we arrive at a little plaza full of cute, upscale stores, it’s already afternoon. We’re only supposed to keep an eye on Aubrey until around three—that’s when Ludo gets back from whatever he’s doing—but obviously if we stay out later, she’s still our responsibility.

When we enter the first store, I’m immediately drawn in. So many vibrant articles of clothing hang on the racks. It’s an explosion of color.

“Oh, wow,”

Wren says, stopping in front of a romper.

“This is pretty.”

I already know what she’s going to do, and so does Elliot. We watched her do it over and over again when we took her shopping weeks ago. Instead of further inspecting the romper or looking for one that’s her size, she immediately goes for the paper tag hanging from the side.

Elliot catches her wrist.

“Ah ah. Don’t bother checking the prices.”

He slides his card in between her fingers and kisses her cheek.

“Get whatever you want.”

Wren laughs nervously, staring at the credit card like he’s playing some practical joke on her.

“You sure you want me to hold this? What if I lose it?”

He shrugs.

“I trust you.”

As Wren and Aubrey look through the store, chatting and laughing with each other, Elliot and I watch from a distance.

“The two of them seem to be getting along well,”

I say quietly.

Elliot nods.

“Ludo wants them to.”

“What?”

I hiss.

“And we’re just letting it happen?”

“I think it’ll be good for us, too,”

Elliot murmurs.

“Rhett has a transcript of the conversations in the condo last night, so you’ll be able to read the whole thing soon. But the basic gist of it is that he wants Wren to get attached to Aubrey so Ludo has another attachment to us. Which is exactly what we want. Aubrey doesn’t seem to know about his plans, though. She genuinely likes Wren.”

“Makes sense.”

“Oh?”

“I happen to think Wren is a very likable person.”

With a quiet laugh, Elliot puts his arm around my shoulders. “No shit.”

“Wren is in on this whole getting close to Aubrey thing, right?”

I watch her face, noting how intently she’s listening to Aubrey. Her smile is sincere as she nods, adding in a comment here and there.

“I don’t want to use her like that.”

Gently, Elliot squeezes me.

“She is. Practically volunteered to do it, but it’s definitely making her uneasy.”

“Understandable,” I mutter.

When Aubrey and Wren head to the dressing rooms, Elliot and I stay back. I may have fallen in love with this place the second I stepped inside, but I wasn’t distracted enough to miss the man who walked past and spent just a second too long peering through the windows.

On its own, that’s not a big deal. Lots of people peer into windows, and this place is definitely eye-catching. What’s bugging me is that the man has made a second appearance. He crossed in front of the store again, and now he’s hanging out at one of the outdoor tables of the cafe next door.

“Did you text Rhett?”

I ask in a hushed tone.

“He’s ready with the car just in case. We can leave this area and see if he follows.”

I nod, letting my gaze fall on Wren as she steps out of the dressing room wearing the romper. Since Aubrey is still getting dressed, Wren turns to us.

“I love it, princess,”

I tell her.

Aubrey comes out in a pair of linen pants and a pastel pink shirt that she tucked in. Her and Wren take each other in, giving their opinions and such. It reminds me of shopping with my mom and Maria. No matter what, my mom was always supportive of us finding our own styles. Even her negative feedback was laced with kindness and encouragement.

Fuck, I miss them. I should make time to see them as soon as we get back. If we can plan it around her work schedule, maybe Wren can meet them, too. Or, if I have things my way, she’ll never go back to her job unless she absolutely wants to. We can take care of her—as long as she won’t find that stifling.

While the girls finish up trying on clothes, Elliot and I keep a close eye on the man outside. He finished his drink a long time ago, but he’s still sitting there even though he’s not doing anything.

“He’s not bothering to be very subtle,”

I whisper to Elliot before realizing he’s smiling.

“What? What are you—”

I follow his gaze. Wren is at the counter swiping Ell’s credit card. Based on the way she’s shifting from foot to foot, the total was more than she anticipated.

“You like it when she spends your money?”

“Our money,”

he corrects, still smiling.

“And yeah. I like it when any of you do.”

Once all the clothes are packed up, Wren tries to hand the credit card back to him.

“The total was—”

Elliot cups her cheeks and kisses her.

“I don’t care about the total, love. Spend however much you want. And keep the card.”

With a surprised squeak, Wren puts the card back in her wallet.

“You—you’re sure? It—what if—that’s—”

“I’m positive,”

he says gently.

Aubrey watches the interaction with amusement before turning to Wren.

“Okay, so I know we’re supposed to be shopping for clothes, but there’s a really cute bookstore over—”

“We have to leave the plaza, actually,” I say.

Aubrey frowns.

“But I think Wren will really like the shop. It looks really nice, and they have this poetry collection I wanted to show her.”

“Oooh,”

Wren gasps, “I’ve been wanting to start reading poetry again.”

“We can come back,”

Elliot says.

“But first we have to leave.”

Aubrey’s face falls, and her eyes dart to the windows.

“Are we being followed?”

“Potentially,”

I say.

“But it’s nothing to worry about. We’re perfectly capable of keeping you both safe.”

That seems to help Aubrey relax some. We get a cab, and as we’re piling in, the man gets up from his seat and heads to an SUV. While Aubrey directs the driver to another boutique she wants to check out, Elliot texts Rhett.

Wren takes my hand.

“What are we gonna do?”

“You don’t have to do a thing,”

I say before whispering in her ear, “except maybe try to keep Aubrey calm.”

Not letting go of my hand, Wren turns in her seat to look at Aubrey.

“Hey. You okay?”

“I’m too close,”

Aubrey mumbles.

“It can’t end here.”

“What? Nothing is ending here. The guys will keep us safe.”

As we drive, Wren does her best to reassure Aubrey. By the time we’re pulling into the parking lot of another strip mall, she seems less worried.

“The plan is to act like nothing is wrong,”

I say.

“We’re gonna go inside, you two are gonna keep shopping, and we’ll let you know what to do from there. The only thing you have to do is stay away from the windows at the front of the store.”

Aubrey gulps. “Got it.”

We pay the fare and then head inside. The man following us stayed a few cars behind us the whole time, but it was still obvious he was tailing us. Honestly, I’m a little disappointed he’s making this so easy. The challenging ones are always more fun.

In the shop—another boutique about the same size as the first—Aubrey and Wren avoid the very front of the store. The man makes no move to get out of his vehicle, instead taking a parking spot that gives him a view of the front door.

Aubrey and Wren pick out a few articles each. Thankfully we’re the only people in the store, which makes things less dangerous for anyone else around.

I meander toward the back of the boutique, smiling at the woman who’s meticulously folding a box of shirts at the counter. There’s a cute little spot with two dressing rooms, and then—bingo—another door. Quietly, I open it and step into the back storage room.

It’s small and cramped in here, so I find the exit easily. That door leads to behind the buildings. The perfect place for delivery trucks, employee parking, or a getaway car.

Back inside, I give Elliot a nod before texting him and Rhett one last time. The next part of our plan is sure to unnerve the girls, but it’s the safest option for them.

“Why don’t you guys put these in the dressing rooms?”

I nod in that direction.

“Then it’s time to get you two away from that guy.”

As Wren hangs her stuff in the first dressing room, I notice one of the pieces she picked out is a deep, dark green. No doubt, she did that very intentionally.

“Okay,”

Elliot says, brushing his fingers down Wren’s arms comfortingly.

“Most likely, that man is going to come inside once I leave.”

“You’re leaving?”

Her voice sounds so small, so scared, and her brows are knit together.

“I’m only going far enough that the guy outside feels comfortable coming in. Once he moves, I’m coming right back. Just do what Oliver and Rhett tell you, and everything will be fine.”

“Rhett? But Rhett’s not here, I don’t under-”

“I’ll explain in a minute, princess.”

I pull Elliot away and ask quietly, “This isn’t real, right?”

“I don’t think so,”

he says in a hushed tone.

“But we need to treat it that way regardless. And keep your eyes peeled for an actual threat.”

“Got it.”

He kisses me lightly before heading for the front of the store.

Grabbing Wren and Aubrey, I pull them into the storage room.

“Rhett is waiting outside to get you two out of here. Then Elliot and I will deal with the guy out front.”

Wren tries to protest, or ask questions, but we don’t have time. I shove the back door open. Rhett is already waiting with the car running. He opens the door to the backseat silently.

“In you go,”

I say, ushering Aubrey into the car.

“I’ll see you guys later.”

“Oliver.”

Wren pauses even though Aubrey tries to pull her into the car.

“I’ll be okay.”

Gently, I kiss her, and then Rhett pushes her into the backseat and slams the door.

“If I don’t hear from you in five minutes, I’m coming back,”

he says as he rounds the car.

“Be careful.”

“Always am,”

I say lightly before slipping back inside.

“Love you.”

“I love—”

The door slams before Rhett can finish. Shit. I’m not used to him saying it back, so I didn’t think to give him time. But right now, I don’t have extra time to waste. I’ll make it up to him later.

Rushing back into the store, I close the curtains to both of the dressing rooms before plopping onto the couch across from them. Just then, the bell on the front door jingles, signaling someone coming in. Involuntarily, my leg starts bouncing. Can’t help it. I hate being alone like this. If I fuck up, there’s no one to save me. Not until Ell comes back, anyway.

As I hear the woman up front greet the man, my conversation with Finn yesterday morning replays in my head. Don’t leave room for mistakes in your head, or you’ll find yourself making them.

We can’t afford to fuck up today. Not when the girls’ safety is on the line, and not when we have so much riding on this job. I have to do this.

Finn’s right. I can handle this—I know I can handle this.

I stare at my phone, pretending to scroll, until I see the man appear in my peripheral vision. My blood pressure spikes, but I don’t show it.

“Don’t move.”

His voice is hushed yet commanding.

I look up, plastering on a surprised expression.

“Whoa, hey, there’s no need for a weapon like that.”

Stepping farther into the dressing area, he growls, “I’ll be the judge of that.”

Raising my hands slightly in surrender, I give him a quick once over. Short, thinning hair, solid build, and pink, sunburned skin. He looks like a regular tourist except for the gun in his hand. He’s holding it expertly, like someone who’s handled one thousands of times before. Still, he walked right into our trap, so he’s not the brightest.

“Which one is she in?”

he demands.

I give him a confused look. “Who?”

With an annoyed growl, he rips open the first curtain. When he realizes the dressing room is empty, he quickly moves on to the next one.

“You motherfu-”

I’m already on my feet and advancing toward him. He sees me in one of the mirrors, but it’s too late. With a series of practiced, fluid movements, I disarm him and drop him to the floor.

Stepping back, I aim his gun directly at his head, not bothering with my own.

“Stay on your knees.”

Behind me, Elliot laughs.

“Damn. I guess there was no need for me to rush back.”

At the sound of his voice, my anxiety dissipates. I did it—of course I did it—and now Elliot is here in case something goes wrong.

Behind us, we hear a feminine gasp. Elliot turns, but I don’t want to take my eyes off this guy, so I don’t move.

“Ma’am, so sorry to scare you like this,”

Elliot says.

“We’re not going to hurt you, I promise. There’s no need to call the police.”

“Are—are you here to steal stuff?”

she asks in a trembling voice.

“No,”

Elliot says. His tone is calm yet commanding.

“We’re just trying to keep our client safe.”

There’s a pause, and I think he gestures between me and him.

“We’re bodyguards.”

“Oh,”

the woman breathes out. She still sounds scared, but not as much.

“I’m gonna pay for everything in those two dressing rooms,”

Elliot says.

“And then we’re gonna take this guy and get out of your hair. Again, sorry to scare you. Can you start ringing everything up for me?”

She gulps. “Sure.”

After she gathers up the clothes, Elliot grabs a couple scarves and starts tying the man up.

“We’ll have her add these to the bill as well.”

“Listen,”

the man says.

“I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just want Aubrey.”

“Sucks to be you, I guess,”

I say with a shrug.

“Because you’re not getting her.”

“Hear me out,”

he says.

“Whatever your boss is paying you, I’ll double it. We can make it look like you fought your hardest.”

“Not a chance,”

I spit out.

“Fucking piece of shit,”

Elliot mutters, bending down and searching through the man’s pockets. He pulls out a set of car keys.

“I’ll grab his car and bring it around back.”

“Sounds good.”

“Wait,”

the man blurts.

“What are you going to do to me?”

“What do you think we’re gonna do?”

I taunt.

“Let you go?”

His eyes are wide and pleading, and he even clasps his hands together.

“Don’t kill me. I work for Ludo. He sent me to test you guys. Trust me, you passed! Just please don’t kill me.”

Elliot rolls his eyes.

“You really think we’re gonna believe that?”

We most definitely do believe him. Hell, we practically predicted this would happen. But we can’t let on that we know that.

“Please!”

the man begs.

“Just call him and ask.”

When Elliot chuckles, I brace myself. The only time he laughs like that is when he’s dealing with someone who’s severely gotten on his nerves. I’ve heard it countless times at Hayes family gatherings.

“Oh,”

Elliot says through a tight grin, “I’ll do you one better than that.”

***

Getting the guy tied up, gagged, and into the trunk of his SUV isn’t hard. Neither is leading him around Ludo’s condo and up onto the patio. No, what’s hard is seeing Wren sitting on the bench by the empty fire pit holding Aubrey, with Rhett pacing behind them. All I want to do is go to them, but I can’t. Not yet.

When Ludo sees us, alarm flashes over his features, quickly followed by intrigue. He’s sitting in an Adirondack chair, a drink in one hand and a tablet in the other. Once we’re close enough, we shove the man toward Ludo, and he falls at his feet.

Slowly, Ludo sets his tablet down on the arm of his chair. Before even acknowledging the man before him, he takes a long sip of his drink.

“Elliot. Oliver.”

He takes his sunglasses off and hangs them on his shirt. Finally, he looks down. “Samuel.”

Samuel grunts.

Motherfucker. He really was testing us.

Ludo huffs out an amused breath before addressing us.

“I was expecting you to take a lot longer to notice him. You three really are as good as everyone says.”

Elliot’s face hardens.

“We’re better than everyone says.”

Ludo smiles, and it’s that dark, sinister smile that I hate. “Good.”

Pulling out a knife, he cuts through Samuel’s gag and restraints.

“How’d they do?”

“Just fine, sir.”

“I want a full written report by dinner.”

“Yes, sir.”

Samuel drags himself to his feet. He turns to us and holds out his hand.

“I’ll be needing my car keys back.”

Elliot tosses them to him, and we watch him go. I wonder how many other men Ludo has down here that we don’t know about.

“Let me go, Wren.”

As Samuel rounds the house, my attention is drawn back to the girls. I watch as Aubrey stands, even as Wren desperately tries to hold her back.

When I first looked over, I thought maybe Aubrey was crying. Now I realize I couldn’t be more wrong. She’s glaring at Ludo, so angry she’s shaking.

“You,”

Aubrey seethes. Her fists are clenched tightly as she marches right up to Ludo.

“You orchestrated this whole thing, and you purposefully kept it from me!”

Ludo leans back in his chair, following her movements with a disinterested, lazy stare. “And?”

“And?! I was terrified! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Didn’t want to give it away, obviously.”

“Seriously? Would it kill you to think about someone other than yourself every once in a while?”

“Unless it’s beneficial to me, darling, I see no reason to.”

“You repulse me. Repulse me, Holloway.”

Aubrey turns on her heel and storms inside, slamming the door behind her.

“Aubrey,”

Wren calls, following after her.

With an eye roll, Ludo settles back into his chair. He directs his attention toward us, seemingly having forgotten about Aubrey and Wren already.

“You three did well today. I’ll get my report from Samuel, but I’d love to hear the sequence of events from you as well.”

As Elliot walks Ludo through our afternoon, Rhett wanders over to us slowly. He’s taking controlled, even breaths, and his mask of tolerance is slipping. We need to get him out of here before he loses it.

“Well done,”

Ludo says once Elliot is done explaining.

“And clever planning.”

“Thank you,”

I reply as I grab Rhett’s hand.

“I’m glad you’re happy with the results of the test. I for one am fairly tired, and I’m in the mood for a nap. Same time tomorrow?”

Ludo nods.

“Same time tomorrow.”

“I’ll stay with Wren,”

Elliot says.

“Make sure she gets back okay.”

“Got it. See you.”

I flash them one last smile before dragging Rhett off the patio and around the condo.

Once we’re on the path back to the resort, Rhett slows us down.

“You don’t seem tired at all.”

“I’m not. Just needed to get you out of there. You looked ready to burst.”

“That’s about how I felt,”

he says darkly.

“All I could think about was strangling him. I told Aubrey and Wren it was a test after you called and confirmed. Ludo didn’t care at all—not that he scared the girls, not that he divided our attention, nothing. He’s a fucking dick.”

“Quiet,”

I say as I glance around. It looks like we’re alone, but who actually knows.

“Wait to say stuff like that until we’re in the penthouse.”

He grunts.

“Whatever.”

I pick up our pace again. If Rhett is getting sloppy, that means he’s too pissed to care. The last thing we need is for him to give away our true feelings toward Ludo just because he’s in a bad mood.

With a sigh, I glance back toward the condo. Hopefully Elliot and Wren are having better luck controlling themselves.