Page 123 of Vicious Deception

There’s a possibility it’ll backfire, but I’m willing to risk my chances. Even if I panic, I’ll at least have the memory of him sitting in that cell, a mere shadow of his former self.

“All right,” Elliot says as he glances in the direction of the living room. “The boys are occupied enough. You want to go right now?”

“Yes.” My hand slides into Wren’s. “With all three of you, preferably.”

“Of course,” she says.

We quietly head downstairs, and I keep Wren’s hand firmly in mine. I truly think this will help, but I’ve been known to make reckless mistakes before.

When Rhett opens the door to Ludo’s cell, I brace myself for the worst. One look at him, and I’m afraid I’ll dissolve into tears. But that doesn’t happen.

Holloway’s face is cut and bruised, and he’s curled up in the corner of his cell as much as he can be. Both his legs are swollen and stretched out at awkward angles. At some point, Rhett or Ell released him from his restraints, but it doesn’t matter. He’s not going anywhere.

It smells in here, which only adds to the picture. Ludo isn’t just helpless—he’s mangled beyond recognition. It’s hard to believe he’s alive except for his ragged breathing and the frantic look in his eyes.

I knew Rhett broke his legs, along with the other things he and Ell have done to him, but . . .damn.

I don’t have to look at the way Holloway’s face is scrunched up to know he’s in a lot of pain. He’s shaking, and the blood and bruises all over his body are evidence enough.

Ludo doesn’t speak. I wonder if it hurts him to do so, considering he probably has multiple broken ribs. When Elliot crouches down next to him with a bottle of water, he flinches.

“Drink,” Elliot tells him.

But Ludo doesn’t take the bottle. When Elliot opens the cap and holds it to his lips, Holloway doesn’t open his mouth. Elliot applies pressure to Ludo’s leg, which makes him wail in agony. It’s a good thing we closed the door because the boysdefinitelywould’ve heard.

“Drink.”Elliot tips the bottle and pours the water into Ludo’s mouth.

I don’t think anyone’s fed him, and we don’t want him to die of dehydration. Elliot gives him around half the bottle before standing.

“What do you want to do?” Rhett asks.

“Nothing,” I say.

Rhett, Ell, and Wren watch me as I stare down at Ludo. He used to hold his head so high, his posture set with confidence and his expression smug. Now, his eyes are blank. The only thing in them is a hopeless longing for the release of death.

“You’re sure?” Rhett asks.

I raise my eyes to meet Rhett’s gaze. “Did you hurt him for me?”

“Of course I did.” He sounds almost insulted that I feel the need to ask.

Next, I turn to Elliot. “Did you?”

He nods wordlessly. “I have, and I’m not done yet.”

“Then that’s enough for me.” I close the distance between me and Elliot and take his hands in mine. My voice softens as I stare into his eyes, wishing I could take away his guilt. “Let it be enough.”

It’s not your fault,I want to tell him. But he’ll never believe that. The best he can do is try to make up for it, and the best I can do in return is let him know that I see what he’s doing.

“I don’t need to hurt him,” I say. “Not when you’re doing it for me.”

It wasn’t my original plan. On my way down here, I had every intention of putting Ludo through hell. But then I saw him, and I realized I didn’t need to. I have Rhett and Ell here. They’re both already making sure he pays for what he did to me.

“He doesn’t deserve any more of my time,” I say, moving toward the cell door. I feel oddly light—a far stretch from the panic I thought would be coursing through me. “And I deserve better than to waste my energy on him.”

Chapter thirty-five

Elliot

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