Page 60 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. Two (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #2)

Wren

I keep my head tucked down as I throw the last bag into the back of Finn’s SUV.

“That’s everything?”

“Yep. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

We pile into the car. It’s just me, Finn, and Meredith, and she takes the backseat. We left before Sparrow and Aubrey were up so we could make sure we had ample time to hit all of Ludo’s storage units. That was the last one, so it’s time to head back to the farmhouse.

As Finn pulls out of the parking lot, I breathe out a sigh of relief. I was worried we’d get caught, but all we had to do was act like we were supposed to be there, and no one stopped us. Hell, at most of the places, we didn’t even see anyone.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I pull it out, seeing a notification from Ava. I texted her and gave her my temporary number so I can give her updates. So far, everything I’ve told her is vague, but she’s been understanding.

Ava: Hey, your mom and Thomas stopped by the coffee shop today.

My stomach drops. What? Why are they in town? They never visit this often.

Frowning, I replay my last conversation with my mom in my head. We were fighting—over Thomas, of course—and then I hung up on her. She texted me a few times after that, but I ignored her. Since I left my phone at home, I have no idea how many times she’s tried to get in contact with me over the past couple weeks.

Wren: Did she say what she wanted?

Ava: She was looking for you. Said she was worried because you weren’t answering your phone.

I chew on my bottom lip. How long ago was that phone call? A few weeks? A month? Over a month? This isn’t the first time I’ve stopped talking to her, but I’ve never gone this long before.

Shit. Is she worried about me? I figured she’d just think I was extra mad at her.

Ava: I told them that you quit working here and that you moved in with your boyfriends, and that if you weren’t answering your phone, it’s because you don’t want to talk.

That makes me smile. Leave it to Ava to be as blunt as possible with them. She doesn’t know everything about my mom and stepdad, but she knows enough.

Wren: Thank you. I’m sorry you had to deal with them.

Ava: Are you doing okay?

Wren: Yeah. I’m hoping that everything will go back to semi-normal in a couple days.

Ava: Take your time, babe. We’ll catch up whenever you’re ready.

Smiling, I shut off my screen. I’m going to have to find some way to make the past couple months up to her. She’s been in the dark with barely any updates. Even now, she still doesn’t know what’s going on, and it’s not bugging her.

When we get back to the farmhouse, Sparrow and Aubrey are up. They help us unload all the cash, and we store it in a side room off the garage that we emptied out yesterday.

“How’d it go?”

Sparrow asks once we’re all inside the house.

“Fine,”

Finn says.

“You heard anything?”

“Nothing yet. You leaving again soon?”

Finn nods.

“Wren, Meredith, we’re leaving in an hour. I’m about to send the emails to King and Burbank.”

“Whoa, wait.”

Sparrow holds up a hand and glances at Aubrey.

“Raymond King?”

“The one and only. What’s it to you?”

“That’s the man who’s threatening my parents,”

Aubrey says.

“Wait, really?” I ask.

Aubrey nods.

“It’s one of the reasons why Ludo was such a good option for me to marry since they’re in business together.”

“Well…”

Finn shrugs.

“Two birds with one stone, then.”

Aubrey’s shoulders drop.

“Oh my god. My parents will be so relieved.”

“Be ready,”

Finn tells me and Meredith again before turning and walking back toward the house.

My stomach flips. It won’t be much longer after that I’ll be able to see the guys. As long as they get out of Ludo’s mansion safely, that is.

They will, I tell myself, trying to combat the anxiety that tightens around my heart. We’ll get them out.

“You look like you need to clear your head.”

Sparrow squeezes my shoulder.

“Let’s head outside for a bit.”

“Just don’t go far,”

Finn calls from where he’s already retreated into the dining room.

“You know we won’t, you worry wart,”

Sparrow replies, rolling her eyes.

Outside, we wander around the yard. Maggie runs ahead while we stop in front of a small garden tucked between the house and a shed. In between the dead leaves and the beginnings of new greenery sits a small tombstone. There are only a few words on it: In memory of Andromeda.

I stare at it for a moment, wondering if this is the woman Austin talked about—the one Finn lost. Or maybe it’s in memory of a pet or something since there’s no last name.

But when Sparrow sees it, her expression turns sad, and she shakes her head.

“Poor girl.”

“Who was she?” I ask.

With a sigh, Sparrow stares down at the tombstone.

“One of the only people Finn’s ever fully trusted. Or loved, for that matter, even if he tries to pretend he’s never loved anyone.”

“What happened?”

Aubrey asks softly.

“I can’t say.”

Sparrow shrugs.

“Not my place. Only that not saving her is Finn’s biggest regret.”

His biggest regret. I turn away, watching Maggie as I try to shove down my panic.

What if this doesn’t work?

What if not saving them is my biggest regret?

“Shit. That was poor timing on my part.”

Sparrow turns me around, clasps my shoulders, and stares into my eyes.

“They’ll be fine, Wren. This is a good plan.”

“As long as we can trust Axel,”

I say unsteadily.

“You wouldn’t be standing here if we couldn’t,”

she reminds me. She smiles, and the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, illuminating her face and making her deep brown skin glow.

“You four have a whole team of people behind you. No more worrying, okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Meredith watching me. When I turn to look at her, her expression is oddly peaceful.

“From what Oliver has told me, I knew I’d like you, but you’ve surpassed all my expectations.”

Meredith squeezes my shoulder reassuringly.

“I’ve never seen someone as dedicated to them as you.”

“And you guys are going to kick Ludo’s ass,”

Aubrey adds.

“Otherwise, I still have to pretend to be his wife.”

I shudder at the thought, exaggerating it to make her laugh.

Since she supposedly got back from her honeymoon, Aubrey has posted a few photos of herself around Ludo’s mansion. They’re photos she took during their engagement for this specific purpose. It seems to be working, considering everyone keeps congratulating her in the comments.

“I’m ready to come face to face with this bastard,”

Meredith says, her expression darkening.

“He’s taken enough away from us. I’ll be damned if I let him hurt my son.”

It takes everything in me to keep my smile from wavering. I haven’t told her about what Elliot said—that Ludo already has hurt Oliver. At this point, it’d just make her worry more, and I’m depending on her confidence that we’ll make it out of this okay.

Clasping my hand in hers, Aubrey squeezes gently.

“You’ll get your happily ever after, Wren. I know you will.”

I’ve never seen a love so deep. That’s what she said about me and the guys. We’re meant to be. Things can’t end here.

I squeeze her hand back and nod. With a glance at Meredith to steal some of her confidence, I square my shoulders. “We will.”