Page 37 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Oliver

We don’t have any issues getting Aubrey off the mansion’s property. Aubrey has already untied her scarf and stashed it back inside. Once we hear the sounds from the crash out front, Aubrey appears on her balcony, staying low. She doesn’t move for a minute, probably waiting for Ludo’s men to run to the front of the house.

My heart is in my throat as she starts climbing down the tree. Soon, she’s low enough that we can’t see her over the wall, and we move closer. The side yard isn’t very big, so Aubrey doesn’t have far to run.

“Be ready,”

Elliot says lowly.

“We don’t have a lot of time.”

I nod, not wanting to make any extra noise.

The wall is short enough that Elliot can jump up and grab the top of it. He hauls himself up and over to the other side. It only takes a few seconds before I hear a whispered conversation on the other side of the wall.

“On the count of three,”

Elliot says lowly before he counts.

Aubrey grunts, and her hands grasp the top of the wall as Elliot gives her one last push. Once she gets her legs over, I help her down.

Rhett’s voice comes through my earpiece.

“You’ve got two guys heading toward the back of the house. Is Aubrey in the clear yet?”

Shit.

“C’mon.”

I grab Aubrey’s hand and drag her to the car. She throws herself into the backseat before closing the door quietly. When I look back, Elliot has just made it over the wall. He runs to the car, and we both get in.

“Just got to the car,”

I tell Rhett.

“Heading back to the house now.”

“We’ll join you soon.”

Elliot starts the car and drives down the service road, heading away from Ludo’s mansion. We both keep checking behind us, but no one follows.

Aubrey laughs.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe I did it. Thank you guys so much.”

“Thank you,”

Elliot says.

“I barely had time to look through the hard drive, but it’s exactly what we need. Between the IRS and the FBI, Holloway’s businesses will be tied up for a long time.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it,”

Aubrey says.

“Wren and I are going to keep up some form of contact with each other.”

My heart warms. I like how much Wren and Aubrey have taken to each other. They both need the friendship that the other provides.

As we pull up to the safe house, I spot a dark gray sedan parked on the road. The driver’s side door opens when we pull into the driveway, and a plus size woman with deep brown skin gets out. She pulls all her locs over one shoulder before giving us a quick wave.

Aubrey squeals with excitement.

“That’s her!”

The moment we’re parked in the garage, Aubrey gets out of the car. I’m barely able to stop her from barreling down the driveway.

“You need to stay out of sight,”

I tell her.

“We all do.”

I usher her inside the house. After a minute, Elliot and Sparrow follow, shutting the door behind them.

“Where are the others?”

Sparrow asks as she glances around the room.

“On their way,”

Elliot says.

“Should be here any minute.”

Aubrey can’t seem to hold herself back any longer. She throws her arms around Sparrow and squeezes.

“I can’t believe I’m really doing this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You’re the one who made it happen.”

Sparrow’s brown eyes soften as she steps back and holds Aubrey at arm’s length.

“Although I stick by my original statement that leaving that bastard at the altar would’ve been much funnier.”

Aubrey snorts.

“I would’ve if I could’ve.”

The door opens, and a relieved “Oh, thank fuck,”

leaves my mouth before I can stop it. Rhett and Wren step through, and Rhett hits the button to close the garage doors so no one can spot our cars.

I didn’t realize how anxious I was until Wren wraps me up in her arms. I’ve been so focused on making sure Elliot was okay that my own emotions took a backseat. Now that we’re all safe—even if it’s only until we enact the rest of our plan—it feels like a fifty-pound weight has been lifted from my chest.

Subconsciously, I’m aware that I’m squeezing Wren too tightly, but I can’t bring myself to stop. Tears spring into my eyes, and I bury my face in her neck.

“Oliver,”

Wren chokes out.

“Can’t—can’t breathe.”

Blinking rapidly, I loosen my hold on her.

“I was worried about you.”

Sparrow glances at her phone.

“I’m sorry to break up the reunion, but Aubrey, we’ve got a flight to catch.”

Aubrey’s face falls.

“I guess this is it, huh?”

“Guess so,”

Wren mutters.

Gently, Rhett pulls me away from Wren so she can hug Aubrey. I lean into him, and when my head hits his chest, that familiar scent of cedar and sage soothes my soul.

“I’m gonna miss you,”

Wren says.

“Maybe we’ll be able to see each other someday,”

Aubrey says with a hopeful glance at Sparrow.

She frowns.

“Maybe. I trust these four to keep your identity and location a secret, but we still need to be careful. The fewer connections to your past life, the better.”

“Well, in case we never manage…”

Aubrey leans in and kisses Wren on the cheek.

“I know you’ll have a beautiful life.”

Turning, she looks at the rest of us.

“All of you. I’m happy you guys have each other.”

“You’ll write as soon as you can?”

Wren asks.

“As soon as I can.”

Reluctantly, Aubrey and Wren let go of each other.

“Keep your head down once we’re outside,”

Sparrow tells her as we head toward the front door.

“None of us were followed, but you can’t be too careful.”

With her hand on the doorknob, Aubrey turns toward us one last time. There are tears in her eyes as she whispers, “Thank you,”

and then she opens the door and steps outside.

“Owen was able to get out alive thanks to the heads up you gave us,”

Sparrow says as she moves to follow Aubrey.

“I may not have a man on the inside anymore, but I’m only a call away if you need anything. It’s time you three finished this.”

She catches herself with a smile and glances at Wren.

“Well, four now, I suppose.”

“We’ll be in touch,”

Elliot says, and then he closes the door behind her.

A tired silence fills the room. Wren sniffles quietly before wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket.

“You okay, love?”

“I didn’t want to say goodbye so quickly.”

Elliot’s eyes soften with sympathy, but before he can say anything, all our phones go off.

Finn: Made it out fine. I’ll let you know how much repairs cost when I get the bill.

Finn: Also, Axel is an ass.

“Glad he’s okay,”

I say, half to myself.

I felt bad leaving Finn to fend for himself, but we couldn’t pull this off any other way. If he’s followed for any reason, he can’t be seen with us. Otherwise, Holloway’s men could figure out that we worked together to get Aubrey out.

Elliot slides his phone into his back pocket before wrapping his arms around Wren.

“We did it.”

“That’s right. We’re one step closer.”

I grab Rhett’s hand and press my lips to his knuckles.

“And now it’s time to figure out how to save your brothers.”