Page 51 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Rhett

From my first meeting with Benny and on, I eat all my meals with him in the dining room. Andrew is always there for breakfast, but he’s usually busy during lunch and supper. Occasionally, Ludo dines with us as well. He never seems to enjoy Benny’s company, but I think he wants to check in on how well his plan is working.

As far as I can tell, Benny still fully believes that I’m a guest here, not a prisoner. My bedroom is a couple doors down from his, and he’s seen me coming and going on occasion for meals. From his perspective, I’m able to roam the mansion as freely as he’s able to.

I don’t let myself slip into that line of thinking. My “bodyguards”

are a constant reminder of my true place here, as well as the glimpses I’m able to get of Oliver and Elliot.

In the evenings, Benny and I usually end up outside together. Sometimes we play a variety of games—catch, hide and seek, things like that. Usually, though, he’s interested in learning how to fight.

I think training with me makes him feel like a warrior in one of his books. I’m happy to teach him. These skills might come in handy whenever we manage to break out of here.

Hopefully not, I remind myself. I’d prefer for there to be no risk to Benny’s safety on our way out.

The more time that passes, though, the more I’m wondering if we’ll even get the opportunity. Since I’m under constant watch, I have to play it safe. None of Ludo’s men will engage in conversation with me, so it’s not like I can find someone who’d be willing to help me.

I’ve also noticed that Andrew has been avoiding me. Whether it’s due to his orders or because he still feels guilty, I’m not sure. But the only times we’re ever in the same room are when he’s with his partner or when Holloway is present.

Well, except this evening, anyway. I sat down to a plateful of mac and cheese—Benny’s request, apparently—and when my youngest brother came in, he was dragging Andrew with him.

Now, Benny is on his second helping of pasta, and Andrew is picking at his food while sending me nervous side glances. I’m about to ask what’s bothering him when Benny speaks up, his mouth full.

“You said you’d tell me about Dad.”

My stomach drops. Oh.

“Benny, I don’t—”

“You promised you’d tell me.”

He’s watching me intently, and the determination on his features is yet another thing that reminds me of Sammy.

“You’re right,”

I say on a sigh.

“I did. What do you want to know?”

“Why don’t you two talk anymore? And why do you only call him Richard instead of Dad?”

Shifting uncomfortably, Andrew cuts in.

“Maybe that’s personal. You’re being rude.”

But Benny ignores him and continues staring at me expectantly.

“When I was your age,”

I start, “Richard was… abusive. I’m not sure how he’s treated you both, but it doesn’t sound like he’s changed.”

“He’s been a piece of shit my whole life,”

Andrew says.

“I don’t think he has a kind bone in his body.”

“My mom died when I was young. Some… other things happened, and Richard got worse. He was already cruel, so at that point, I was done. I knew I deserved better, and I didn’t want to be around him anymore.

“Little did I know, that’s exactly what he wanted. By then, both of you had already been born. When I moved out, it gave him the opportunity to fully move on—to only have one family to focus on. The one he wanted.”

Guilt passes over Andrew’s face. At being the preferred son? At realizing how hard things were for me compared to him?

“What other things happened?”

Benny asks.

“There was… well, you see, he…”

Shit. I’m not sure this is the best time to talk about Sammy. That conversation should happen later, when I can be fully honest with them both.

“You mentioned we had a sister,”

Andrew says.

“What happened to her?”

Shit.

“She was killed.”

“What?”

Benny’s voice is louder than I’d prefer.

“Who killed her?”

“I don’t know. The police never figured it out.”

It’s a lie, but it’s what the authorities told us instead of the truth—that they’d been paid off to keep quiet.

Besides, I can’t tell Benny and Andrew that Holloway killed our sister. I’m not sure Andrew would believe me, and it would only scare Benny. And with Ludo’s men in here, it’d reveal things I’m not sure I want to yet.

“It was a wrong place, wrong time kind of situation,”

I say, which is true.

“She managed to slip away from school one day, and on her way home, she was shot.”

“How old was she?”

Andrew asks.

“Younger than Benny.”

Silence fills the room. They both stare at me, not even moving. It’s a lot—finding out you have two secret siblings, only to realize you’ll never get to meet one of them.

“Her name was Samantha,”

I say thickly.

“She liked playing dress up, she was allergic to strawberries, and she wanted to be a ballet dancer when she grew up.”

“And she’s… dead?”

Benny asks.

I nod.

“Has been for ten years.”

“That’s not fair!”

His hands ball into fists on the table.

“She shouldn’t’ve been killed!”

“I know.”

As much as I want to brush past this so we don’t have to keep talking about Sammy, I don’t try to change the subject. That wouldn’t be fair to either of them. She’s their sister. If they have questions, they deserve answers.

“Getting upset about it isn’t going to do any good,”

Andrew tells Benny.

“It happened when you were a toddler. Just—”

“Don’t,”

I say, cutting Andrew a sharp glare.

“He’s allowed to be angry. He’s allowed to feel whatever he wants.”

“Why didn’t Dad have you guys move in with us?”

Benny asks angrily.

“We could’ve protected her.”

“Because he didn’t want us,”

I tell him gently.

“I was an accident—one that kept Richard from pursuing the career he wanted for years. I think my parents had Sammy as a way to try to fix their marriage, but it was too late. Richard was already checked out.

“After my mom died, Richard was hardly ever home. I thought he was spending all his time at bars or the like, but now I know he was with you guys.”

Benny’s eyes are shining as he says quietly, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,”

I tell him.

“Besides, he didn’t treat us well. Maybe it was for the best that he wasn’t home much.”

“I guess,”

Benny mumbles.

“I’m just glad we’ve found each other now,”

I say with a smile.

His composure brightens.

“And Mr. Holloway will help us find a way to stay together. I can live with Andrew, and you can visit us!”

As I nod, I force my smile to stay on my face.

“Yeah. Absolutely.”

Benny goes on, but my mind stays stuck on one thought. We’ll find a way to get out of here, and we’ll make sure Benny doesn’t have to live with Richard again—but it won’t be because of Ludo’s help.