Page 48 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Oliver

When I wake up, light is pouring in through the windows, and Elliot is gone. My heart breaks all over again at the same time that relief fills me. However much I wish his body was still pressed against mine, climbing from window to window in broad daylight is like asking to get caught.

There’s a small bathroom attached to this room, so I shower to clean off the sweat that came with my night of shitty sleep and stress dreams. When I come back into the bedroom, there’s a plate with some food on it and a glass of water.

My anxiety was through the roof yesterday, but surprisingly, I’m not worried about Holloway poisoning our food. I doubt our betrayal hurt his feelings—don’t think he has any—but we wounded his pride. When he kills us, it’ll be in a much more dramatic way than killing us without us realizing.

That’d be too easy. Too merciful.

My window is still open some. I’m sure Elliot had trouble closing it considering he had to maintain his balance. The fresh air is nice, even if it serves to remind me that I can’t go outside.

I eat my breakfast in silence. It’s only a couple scrambled eggs that are completely cold by the time I dig into them, but I’m happy to have something to fill my stomach.

“Is there anything cool about you?”

My eyes dart to the window at the young voice drifting in. At the low, tired laugh that follows, I scramble to my feet. I’d know that laugh anywhere.

Rhett.

Rushing to the window, I peer outside. He’s in the backyard with a young boy, who I’m assuming is Benny. Two men follow behind them, close enough to overhear their conversation.

“I guess that depends,”

Rhett says.

“What do you think is cool?”

“Magic powers,”

Benny replies, “but you don’t have any of those.”

“What about fighting skills?”

Rhett asks.

“Like with swords? I want to learn how to fence like Inigo Montoya!”

“I don’t know much about fencing, although I like him, too.”

Rhett’s voice is smooth—calm. Happy isn’t the right descriptor, although I think a part of him is. He finally gets to be with Benny, after all.

“Then what do you know?”

Benny asks impatiently.

“How to fight with my hands.”

“Oh! Like wrestling? Drew did that in high school.”

“Sure. I can show you some basic moves if you’d like.”

“Will your bodyguards let you?”

Cautiously, Benny peers around Rhett to the men who’ve been trailing behind them.

“They won’t think I’m trying to hurt you?”

Bodyguards. So that’s what Ludo told him to dispel Benny’s suspicion about how Rhett is likely never alone.

“No,”

Rhett says, and the amusement in his tone makes my heart ache.

“I don’t think they’ll be too worried.”

“I’m gonna join the wrestling team once I’m old enough,”

Benny says.

“Drew has already taught me a couple things. Well, he’s tried. He gets mad really fast when I don’t do things right the first time.”

“Is that so?”

Rhett and Benny stop in the middle of the yard. It takes everything in me to not call out to them. Most likely, it’d only confuse Benny, which would piss Ludo off.

Look up, I think. Just look up and see me.

But Rhett doesn’t. His focus is entirely on his younger brother as he teaches Benny a few basic moves. It makes me smile even as the distance between us feels like it’s growing. I’m not surprised in the least that we’ve only been here for two days, and Rhett is already teaching Benny how to defend himself.

Sure, it may be bonding, and it may be what’s keeping Benny’s attention, but this is what Rhett does. Before we were captured, he was doing the same thing with Wren. It was the best he could do to make sure she could protect herself in case something happens.

I’m not sure how long I stand by the window watching the two of them. With the sun up, it’s getting warmer out, so the air isn’t carrying that same unpleasant chill as it did last night.

“Aw man, I almost had you!”

Benny cries happily.

“You did,”

Rhett says.

“Good job.”

I wonder if Ell is watching from the other room.

Moving to the wall, I gently tap on it. Within seconds, Elliot taps back. At least he’s awake.

When I return to the window, a woman in a sweater dress is cautiously crossing the lawn. Benny spots her first and waves.

“Miss Mia! This is my brother, Rhett. He’s teaching me how to fight!”

“And getting you all muddy, I see.”

There’s no judgment or irritation in her voice. If anything, she seems amused.

Her and Rhett exchange formalities. As Rhett normally does when he’s forced into an unexpected social situation, he averts his gaze as often as possible.

Yes. Yes! Now just look over here.

I risk a small wave, but Rhett doesn’t see. He’s studying the garden, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

“Do we have to do school today?”

Benny asks.

“I’d rather hang out with Rhett instead.”

“Yes,”

Mia says with a laugh.

“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you. Your schoolwork isn’t optional.”

“We can hang out some other time,”

Rhett says.

When Mia smiles at him, Rhett looks away. This time, he finally looks upward—and directly into my window. When our eyes meet, his face falls, and the pain in his eyes mirrors my own. His eyes flit to the window next to mine, and his brows furrow. Did he spot Elliot?

“Rhett?” Mia says.

“What?”

Rhett rips his gaze away from us.

“Sorry, got distracted.”

“Benny asked if you could teach him more after his schoolwork is done.”

“Uh… I think so. I have to check my… schedule. But I’ll do my best.”

That seems to be enough of an answer for Benny. For a split second, it looks like he’s going to hug his older brother, but then he decides against it. He follows Mia back inside, but not before sparing Rhett one last glance.

“I’ll get to see him again,”

Rhett asks the men who’re now flanking either side of him, “right?”

“That’s not for us to decide,”

one of them replies.

“Now move. You’re going back to your room.”

Huh. So is Rhett locked up like us, but he gets to come out to see Benny? It’s the perfect reminder of what’s at stake. I wonder if Ludo had them come out into the backyard so Ell and I get the same reminder, too.

Rhett has no choice but to cross the yard. It’s as painful as it was being torn from him the first time. He’s able to manage one more glance toward us, his expression holding an apology. I give him my best smile before he disappears inside.

Once he’s out of sight, the tears come back. With my back to the wall, I sink to the floor and bury my face in my knees.

I’m sorry too, Rhett. I wish I’d listened to you.