Page 33 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Wren

The day of the wedding sneaks up on me. I’ve been so focused on preparing that the days all blur together into one. Finn made me promise to practice with the safe every day, and I have. My lying skills aren’t perfect, especially since I’ve only practiced in a controlled environment, but the guys seem happy with my progress.

As far as training with Rhett, I’ve gotten way better at a couple takedowns, and we focused on a few jab-punch and jab-kick combinations until I could do them in my sleep.

I’m as ready as I’m going to get, yet I’m a ball of nerves. All I’ve done for the past two weeks is eat, sleep, and breathe this heist. I’ve ignored quite a few annoyed texts from my mom, officially told my boss I quit, and studied the blueprints of Ludo’s home until my eyes refused to focus.

Now, I’m sitting in the front seat of Elliot’s SUV as he drives me to Ludo’s mansion. The bridesmaids are all supposed to arrive before lunch, and then we have a long day of getting ready, taking pictures, and making sure today goes perfectly.

“Everything’s in place?”

I ask for what feels like the hundredth time this week.

“Everything’s in place,”

Elliot replies. His hand is already resting on my thigh, so he squeezes reassuringly.

After I practiced enough with the safe, we gave the cracking device to Aubrey. She was able to sneak it into the mansion without a problem. It’ll be waiting for me in her bedroom, already inside her spare makeup bag. The key to get into Ludo’s billiard room will be in there, too.

I trace my finger along the rose tattoo on the back of Elliot’s hand. His anxiety seems to have lessened. I know Oliver had a conversation with him because he had one with me, too, in which he promised not to go off on his own anymore.

“You’ll be okay,”

Elliot says softly as we pull up to the mansion.

“You’re ready.”

By the time he’s parked the SUV in the driveway, my palms are sweating. I’m terrified that Ludo will take one look at me and know everything I’m planning on doing tonight. The conversation Oliver overheard is the only thing keeping me from losing it.

“He doesn’t think I’m a threat,”

I whisper to myself.

“He doesn’t,”

Elliot says, but there’s a slight waver in his voice.

“He has no reason to suspect us or you.”

“You’re sure?”

After unbuckling his seatbelt, he leans over the console and rests his forehead against mine.

“I won’t lie and tell you I’m not worried, love. But Ludo said himself that he doesn’t think you’re a threat. That’s what I’m choosing to focus on.”

His lips brush against mine before he squeezes his eyes shut.

“It’s the only way I can get through this.”

I cup his cheek, wishing I had the courage or the right words to reassure him. All I have is a simple, “I’ll do my best, Ell.”

“I know,”

he murmurs before he pulls back.

“I’ll walk you in.”

My heart is in my throat as we approach the mansion. I keep most of my focus on making sure my dress doesn’t drag on the ground, and Elliot carries my other bag. Just looking at it makes my chest tighten. I have to hide the hard drive and the safe cracker in it once I’m clear of the billiard room.

At the front door, we’re greeted by an older woman with deep brown skin and black curls that brush the tops of her shoulders. She gives us a warm yet practiced smile that doesn’t reach her brown eyes. It’s almost identical to the one Aubrey uses when she’s in front of Ludo.

“You must be Wren,”

she says as she ushers us inside, eyeing Elliot.

“And… one of your partners?”

“Elliot Hayes.”

He shakes hands with her.

“Marceline Stallard,”

she replies.

“Aubrey’s mother. It’s so nice to finally be able to put faces to your names. Aubrey was quite insistent on adding you to her bridal party, Wren.”

“We hit it off quickly,”

I say with a nonchalant shrug.

“I’m honored to be here.”

Elliot slips my bag off his shoulder before handing it to me. When he leans in and kisses my cheek, I inhale deeply, letting the familiar smell of sandalwood and oranges wash over me. It soothes something deep inside me, and I exhale slowly.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, love.”

His fingers brush against mine.

“And just text us if you need us to grab anything for you.”

“Thanks. I love you.”

His breath catches, but then he smiles. I don’t think either of us are used to saying it to each other, let alone hearing it.

“I love you, too, Wren. Have fun.”

My chest deflates as the front door closes behind him. I’ve gotten used to the safety that comes with always having one of the guys by my side, and I feel unsteady on my own.

Marceline clears her throat.

“I can show you where you girls will be getting ready. You’re the first to arrive, although I’m sure the others won’t be long.”

“Thank you.”

Marceline’s strides are long and quick, like she has important things to get to. I wonder if it’s because today is her daughter’s wedding or if she’s always like this.

As she leads me through the mansion, I try to match up the layout with the images of the blueprints that are burned into my mind. It’s different in real life than it is on paper, but I’m able to gain my bearings within a minute.

Marceline takes me through the ballroom, which is all set up with a large dance floor, a bridal party table that’s front and center, and a bar in one corner. There are a couple people who seem to be working on final touches, and Marceline gives them cordial nods as we pass through.

Just as we’re halfway through the room, a few people come in carrying large floral arrangements. They’re beautifully done, a mixture of light pink peonies, eucalyptus, and other flowers I don’t recognize. Light pink ribbon is wrapped around the vases and tied off in neat little bows.

Marceline stops short.

“What are these?”

“The table centerpieces, ma’am,”

a woman replies as she sets the arrangement in the middle of one of the dining tables.

“But they’re pink.”

“Yes, ma’am. The bride requested pink peonies specifically.”

“Oh, for the love of god,”

Marceline mutters before marching toward the other end of the ballroom.

I rush to keep up, only stopping once Marceline has led me into a side room. Inside, there are a few couches, a table laid out with pastries and drinks, and a vanity with a large mirror attached to it.

When Aubrey sees me, she immediately gets up from her spot on one of the couches. Tossing her phone on the table, she throws her arms around me.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Thanks for keeping an eye out, Mom.”

“Aubrey,”

Marceline says before I can get a word in.

“The table centerpieces.”

“Oh, I know! Aren’t they gorgeous? They turned out even better than I thought they would.”

“We talked about this, dear. You need to be careful with the pink.”

Aubrey rolls her eyes at me like she’s heard that phrase a thousand times before.

“I like pink.”

“You have to think about your reputation,”

Marceline says in an almost scolding tone.

“Pink doesn’t convey power. It doesn’t demonstrate professionalism or trustworthiness or strength.”

“Mom! This is my wedding, not a work event. Seriously?”

“Our clients will be here. Our partners, too. I thought we agreed that your wedding would be the start of a new era for you. One of maturity and respectability. Pink is a beautiful color, but you have to think about how people will perceive you. Our potential clients don’t want a sweet girl who loves frills and champagne; they want a fierce woman who’ll fight for them and take their problems seriously.”

Aubrey crosses her arms.

“I am a fierce woman. I do fight for my clients. And of course I take their problems seriously.”

“Your father and I know that,”

Marceline says as she lays a hand on Aubrey’s shoulder.

“But that’s not what people think when they look at you and all they see is pink, pink, and more pink.”

“Well, it’s too late now.”

Aubrey shrugs, and her mother’s hand falls.

“I guess my new era starts after Ludo and I get back from our honeymoon.”

With a sigh, Marceline steps back.

“Just remember—there’s a lot riding on this marriage. More than just reputation.”

“Act happy and in love, but not like I have a schoolgirl crush. I know, Mom.”

Annoyance flickers over Marceline’s features, but she decides not to push things anymore.

“I’ll leave you girls to chatting and getting ready. Remember, the photographer shows up in an hour and a half. Trust me, time flies on your wedding day. I’ll be here to help keep things on schedule, but try to be aware. Photos alone take forever.”

Aubrey’s eyes soften, and she gives her mom a genuine smile.

“Thanks. I have a few reminders set on my phone to help.”

“Good. I’m going to find your grandmother and aunts and make sure they’re comfortable. Oh, and that they know our schedule. We need to make sure everyone is on the same page.”

Once Marceline is gone, Aubrey visibly relaxes. I set my bag on the floor and hang my dress on an empty rack in the corner.

“I know it’s because she loves me,”

Aubrey says quietly, “but I’ve never wanted to run away more. I just want to be able to live without all this pressure.”

“I think the flowers look nice,”

I tell her as I pull her into another hug. It looks like she needs it.

“And just think of it this way. In twenty-four hours, you’ll be nowhere near here, and your new life will be in your hands. No more pressure, no more expectations.”

“And as much pink as I want,”

she mutters bitterly. Then she shakes her head and focuses on me.

“How are you feeling? Nervous?”

“Incredibly. But I can do this. I know I can.”

I don’t have any other choice.

“Well, how about I give you a tour before the others arrive?”

She loops her arm through mine.

“The least I can do is get you familiar with the place.”

We meander through the ballroom, and she points in a direction that apparently leads to the greenhouse. If I’m remembering correctly, the stairs that I’m supposed to avoid are in that direction as well.

“The stairs we’ll use to get to and from my room are in the foyer,”

Aubrey tells me as we meander through the house.

Right. I remember passing them. They were hard to miss, considering how big they were.

Back in the foyer, we pass the front door and take the stairs on the left. They’re much larger than they need to be, but that seems to be the case for the whole mansion. It was obviously made to impress. Between the marble staircase and pillars and the amount of dark woodwork with ornate designs carved in, I’m sure it took a fortune to build this place.

Upstairs, we follow the main hallway for a minute before turning off to one that leads us toward the bedrooms. It’s the same path I’ll be taking by myself later tonight. As we get closer, a door opens, and Ludo slams it before marching toward us.

“Aubrey,”

he snaps as he holds up a thin strip of pink fabric.

“What the fuck is this?”

“Your tie,”

Aubrey replies with mock confusion.

“Have you never seen one before?”

“It’s pink,”

Ludo says with disgust.

“It’s going to hurt my image.”

“What image?”

Aubrey asks brightly while she bats her eyelashes.

“The one in which you’re deeply in love with your wife and would do anything for her, including letting her have the wedding of her dreams?”

“I’m not wearing a pink tie,”

he grouses.

“Fine. I suppose you could wear a white one.”

“I’ll be wearing a black tie,”

he snaps, “with a black shirt, black pants, and a black suit jacket.”

Aubrey rolls her eyes.

“At least you’re not insisting on that stupid red jacket of yours.”

“Stupid?! It’s premium leather. I paid over six thousand dollars for it.”

Aubrey winks at me.

“Sounds like a waste of money, but whatever. Wear black, I don’t care. But you’d better look happy when you see me walking down the aisle. I expect tears of joy.”

“Likewise,”

Ludo drawls before spinning on his heel and marching off.

Once he’s far enough away that he can’t hear, Aubrey laughs.

“I knew he wouldn’t wear it when I bought it, but I just had to see his reaction. God, that was priceless.”

In her room, Aubrey shuts the door behind us. Nothing in here really reminds me of her. The bedspread is navy blue, the wood paneling is beautiful but too dark, and the only bright things in here are the balcony doors and her clothes.

“I know,”

she says with a sigh.

“But I figured there’s no point in redecorating when I’m going to be gone so soon.”

“Fair.”

Quietly, Aubrey opens the drawer of her nightstand.

“This is where the makeup bag is. Everything is already inside.”

Moving to the doors that lead to her balcony, she gestures to the tree outside.

“And for later tonight, I’m getting out of the house through here.”

“Can you make that climb?” I ask.

“In my sleep.”

She opens the bottom drawer of her dresser.

“We’re going to need some kind of signal. I don’t want to sneak out until I know Ludo has gone to bed, and I can’t call or message one of you. There can’t be any trace of communication between us.”

“Right. What’re you thinking?”

Aubrey pulls out a long red scarf from the drawer.

“Ludo gave this to me soon after we solidified our engagement.”

I frown. We haven’t known each other long, but I’ve never seen Aubrey wear anything red. And looking into her open closet right now, most of her clothes are exactly what I’d expect—pastels.

“That’s about the face I made,”

Aubrey says.

“He could’ve spent two seconds asking about what colors I preferred, but no. He had to go with his color. It’s the perfect representation of our relationship. Might as well be instrumental in its ruination.”

A smile tugs at my lips.

“Poetic justice at its finest.”

Aubrey nods.

“I’ll hang it from my balcony when I’m ready to go. The guys have a distraction planned to clear the yard, right? There will be four men watching the perimeter paired off together. The distraction will occupy at least two of them?”

“Correct.”

We’ve been over most of this, but I’m glad Aubrey and I are going through it again. There’s no room for mistakes tonight.

She releases a long, slow exhale before placing the scarf on her dresser.

“I can’t believe we’re almost there. I’m so close, Wren.”

Clasping our hands together, I squeeze gently. This might be the last moment Aubrey and I share alone, so I want to make the most of it.

“I’m happy for you. Tonight is going to go perfectly, and you’ll get everything you want.”

Aubrey nods, and some of the hope glistening in her eyes transfers to me.

“We all will. That’s the deal.”

I smile in agreement.

“Aubrey,”

Marceline calls through the door as she knocks.

“Some of the other bridesmaids are here. It’s time to start getting ready.”

“Be right there,”

Aubrey calls before whispering to me, “Ready to turn Ludo’s world upside down?”

I square my shoulders. We’ve planned, we’ve prepared, and now it’s time to finish this. So I truly mean it when I whisper back, “Oh, I’m so ready.”