Page 106 of Vicious Deception

But Rhett shakes his head, his expression set. His mind is made up.

I grab his arm when he moves to stand, holding on as tightly as I can. “No! Rhett, I’m begging you. I don’t want to be the reason you do something you end up regretting.”

“Protecting you willneverbe something I regret.” He says it so fiercely, a direct contrast to how he lowers himself back to the floor and caresses my face. “Just stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

This time, he slips away before I can grab him again. I get up as quickly as I can. Now that I’ve had a couple minutes awake, I’m not nearly as unsteady on my feet. My head still hurts like a bitch, but I’m not dizzy or anything.

I dash for the door, only realizing once I’m out in the hallway that I’m not fully clothed. With a groan, I turn back, grabbing some pants from my dresser. As I do, I notice what’s on top.

What Rhett was holding wasn’t a weapon, and it isn’t big at all. It’s a plate, holding a few slices of bread and a steaming bowl of soup. My heart melts at the gesture, but I barely have time to think about it.

“Rhett,” I call as I run through the house. “Rhett, wait!”

But he’s already too far ahead. I have to take the stairs at a normal pace, too afraid I’ll lose my balance and fall down them. By the time I’m at the door to the second basement, my heart is pounding rapidly.

I throw the door open, and my stomach drops when I don’t see Rhett. As I descend, I look around, but he isn’t down here. The light is on, though, which means he’s already in the cell.

Even though I know he won’t hear, I pound on the door. “Rhett! Rhett, don’t!”

After a few seconds, the door swings open, and I’m immediately hit by the sound of screams. I stumble backward, staring at Rhett as he steps out of the cell and shuts the door. Immediately, the screams stop, silenced completely by the soundproofing inside.

Screams. Ludo is alive. Thank fuck, he’s alive.

Rhett is holding a sledgehammer in one hand. As he takes me in, his hard expression softens.

“What did you do?” I whisper.

“He’ll never walk again.” He drops the sledgehammer to the floor before wrapping me up in his arms. “You’re safe. I promise, sweetheart.”

“I thought you were going to kill him,” I breathe out.

“I was. Didn’t come up with this idea until I was halfway down the stairs.”

My arms tighten around him, my fingers fisting his shirt. “I’m glad you didn’t. You deserve this. But . . .” Tilting my head up, I meet his gaze, butterflies coming to life in my stomach. “Thank you.”

With an almost imperceptible smile, Rhett dips his head down. His lips meet mine in a kiss that’s startlingly sweet considering he just broke a man’s legs.

For you,my mind whispers.He did it for you.

“Is everything okay?” Benny shouts from the top of the stairs.

Shit.In my desperation to get to Rhett, I forgot to close the door.

Footsteps pound as Benny runs down the steps, quickly followed by Elliot, Oliver, and then Andrew.

“Wow,” Benny says, his gaze zeroing in on the door that leads to Ludo’s cell. “What’s in there?”

“Nothing,” Rhett replies smoothly, turning to face everyone while keeping an arm around me.

Benny eyes the door. “I thought I heard someone screaming.”

At that, Rhett hesitates. What’re his choices? Gaslight his brother, lie, or tell the truth. None of those are anything near the way Rhett wants to treat Andrew and Benny.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says.

“Moresecrets?”Benny crosses his arms. “You still haven’t told me why you were a prisoner! And I don’t understand because Mr. Holloway and Mr. Axel arenice.And then there’s the package, and then—”

“Package?” I ask.

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