Page 55 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)
Rhett
Where are they?
This morning, Benny and I are working on a simple jab-cross-hook combination. I taught it to him a couple days ago, but we had to go easy because we didn’t have the proper equipment. His form is much better than when we started, enough that I suspect he’s been practicing on his own.
I should be more proud, but I’m having trouble focusing. Oliver and Elliot always watch us from their windows. But this morning, their rooms seem empty—at least, as much as I can see into them, since they’re on the second floor.
Worry tinges my thoughts enough that I miss what Benny says to me. He has to shove me in the shoulder to get my attention again.
“Hey! I was talking to you.”
I shake my head, fighting the need to glance up at the windows again.
“Sorry. What?”
“I said that soon, your bodyguards will see me as a threat.”
Benny puts his fists up.
Ludo was happy to supply us with a pair of kids’ boxing gloves, as well as some training pads. I’m sure he views this as entirely harmless. At this level, it is. I’m probably fooling myself into thinking it could actually help Benny in the event that things go wrong here.
Still, I have to try.
Plastering on a smile, I say, “Considering they know who you are, I doubt that.”
We’re about to start up again when Axel steps out of the mansion. His lips are pressed into a thin line, and his shoulders are stiff as he walks toward us.
“Benny,”
he says, barely maintaining a calm tone, “head inside. Mia is waiting for you.”
“Five more minutes? Please, Mr. Axel?”
“No.”
Pulling a colorful package out of his pants pocket, Axel gives Benny an apologetic glance.
“Maybe we can give you extra time tonight.”
Benny’s disappointment fades as he snatches up the bag of sour gummies. With a grin, he throws his arms around Axel.
“You’re the best! Thank you.”
A startled expression settles over Axel’s face, and he clumsily pats Benny on the back. “S-sure.”
After he waves bye to me, Benny sprints into the house. The men who always escort me back to my room once we’re done step forward, but Axel waves them off.
“I’ll take him up. I need you two on trash duty.”
One of them groans.
“Come on, again? We just did it the other day.”
“Now,”
Axel snaps. I’ve seen him get firm with some of the men under his command, but this is another level. Now that Benny is gone, his mask is slipping.
The two men jump into action, scurrying away quickly. It makes me wonder what Ludo and Axel have done to instill such a level of fear into their men.
Once we’re alone, Axel grabs my arms and pulls me into the house. I’ve been perfectly compliant, so it doesn’t make sense, but I’m not about to piss him off more.
“We need to talk,”
he whispers when we’re in the empty hallway on the second floor.
“I already told you and Ludo, Aubrey sold the hard drive. We don’t know where it is.”
After shoving me into my room, Axel shuts the door behind us.
“That’s not what I’m talking about. Last night, I spoke to Elliot.”
“Where is he?”
I ask.
“He and Oliver always watch me and Benny from their windows, but they weren’t there this morning.”
Axel’s face grows even paler than it already is, but he shakes his head.
“I… I don’t know, nor is that the point of this conversation. I’m helping you three get out of here—as long as you help me.”
I laugh.
“Are you forgetting that mere weeks ago, you were trying to convince Ludo that we were the rat he was searching for?”
“Well, I didn’t know I could trust you back then,”
Axel bites out.
That gets me to stop. “What?”
“I’m the rat,”
he hisses out quietly.
“I need to get as far away from Ludo as possible. Elliot says you have a plan to take him down and kill him.”
My heart sinks. If Elliot told them that, then they must’ve hurt him badly—or done the same to Oliver.
“Where is he?”
I ask again.
“What have you done to them?”
“I haven’t done anything,”
Axel says.
“But let’s just say that we’re running out of time. If we’re going to get you to safety, we have to act fast.”
“Why did he tell you that? What did you do to him to get him to talk?”
“I told you,”
Axel hisses.
“I’m helping you. Elliot and I are working to get you all out of here.”
There’s no fucking way. I stare at Axel, trying to figure him out. Ludo already has us right where he wants us, so what’s he trying to pull?
“Do you want to end up dead?”
Axel snaps impatiently.
“No.”
“Then trust me. I’m your best option. Fuck, I’m your only option.”
I swallow. That, unfortunately, is true.
“The boys need to come with us, too. Andrew and Benny.”
“I know. Elliot and I already discussed it.”
“And what exactly do you want out of this?”
I ask as I narrow my eyes.
“My freedom,”
Axel replies, and desperation bleeds into his voice.
“I need out. I need Ludo dead, and I need no one to come looking for me when I’m gone.”
I’m not sure if I should believe him, but I’m also not sure I have much of a choice. I can’t do anything but follow along with whatever I’m forced to do.
“What do you need from me?”
“Nothing yet,”
Axel says.
“We’re not sure how we’re getting you out of here, just that we’re making a plan. I just wanted you to be aware.”
I watch him silently. Everything in me is screaming that I shouldn’t trust him, but what if he’s telling the truth? We have to try something.
“I understand you have no reason to believe me.”
He moves toward the door. If he stays in here for too long, it’ll look suspicious.
“Time will prove my intentions. For now, just stay ready.”
When he leaves, I lower myself onto the bed and place my head in my hands. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that we’re going to die. Of course I’ve been trying to find a way out, but I haven’t been able to.
But now? This could change everything.