Page 120 of Vicious Deception

“I know, princess. I just don’t want to regret my decision.” He pauses before adding, “Either way.”

Humming in agreement, I rub the back of his hand with my thumb. I’m not in a position to tell him what to do—none of us are. He’ll make up his mind when he’s ready. The only thing I can do is make sure I’m there during the aftermath.

Chapter thirty-four

Oliver

Whenwegethome,the house is empty. Elliot texted the group chat to let me and Wren know that they took the boys on a hike. Not that many people venture into the woods behind the mansion, and it’s something to keep Benny occupied.

The alone time with Wren is nice. I’m restless after sitting on the bench for so long, so she hangs out with me while I work out. When I’m finished, we both head up to my room, and I get in the shower. She doesn’t come with me, but I like knowing she’s close by.

In the shower, I close my eyes as the hot water falls onto my skin. When I was locked up in Ludo’s mansion, the shower I had access to only had cold water. Plus, I couldn’t relax in there. I never knew when someone was going to come in and drag me downstairs into Ludo’s torture chamber.

I shudder, leaning forward and placing my hands on the shower wall. Elliot’s face flashes in my mind, his cheeks covered with tears. The memory morphs into Ludo’s grin as he . . .

“Stop,” I whisper.

I just want to forget.

Maybe Rhett is right. If I can see Ludo helpless and broken—if I can give myself a memory ofmetorturinghiminstead of the other way around, then maybe these thoughts will fade. I don’t think my psychologist would agree, but it’s worth a shot.

I hope, anyway.

Shutting off the water, I step out and wrap myself in my towel. The soft material against my skin helps bring me back to the present, and I take a few measured, controlled breaths to calm my mind.

“You’re okay,” I whisper.

When I step into my bedroom, Wren is curled up on my bed with a book in her hands. Her eyes immediately snap to mine before slowly taking in my bare chest and the towel knotted at my hips.

“What’re you reading?” I ask.

“I . . . wasn’t.” Bashfully, she sets the book on my nightstand. “Couldn’t focus.”

Stepping closer, I watch her as she continues taking me in. “What were you thinking about?”

“You. About . . . joining you.”

“Why didn’t you?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Didn’t want to deal with getting wet.”

With a chuckle, I say, “I definitely understand that.”

Again, her eyes travel lower, and she licks her lips.

“What’re you thinking about now?”

“You,” she whispers. “Just you.”

At some point, she got changed. It looks like she took her bra off because I can see her nipples peeking through her T-shirt.

“And what do you want, princess?”

She gives me a playful look. “I think that’s pretty obvious.”

“Then touch yourself,” I tell her, taking a single step forward. My voice is thick with desire as I undo my towel and let it drop to the floor. “Show me just how much you missed me.”

Slowly, she lifts her shirt above her head. I stifle a groan at the sight of her, watching as she sheds the rest of her clothes.

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