Page 119 of Vicious Deception

“You guys haven’t talked about it?”

“We have, a bit. There’s been alotto go over, and we’re still wrapping up some things. Conversations about the future will come when we’re ready.”

“Fair enough.” Ava pauses, watching me carefully for a second. “So you think this is it? You think they’re it?”

“Iknowthey’re it,” I whisper, and this time, the tears in my eyes aren’t from pain or sadness. “I love them all so much, Ava.”

“Then I’m happy for you.” She smiles, and while her tone is teasing, I know she means what she’s saying. “But if you get kidnapped again, I’m killing them.”

“It won’t happen again, trust me. There’s a reason I’m not here alone. They’ve been protective from day one, and I don’t think that’s going to change—ever.”

“That’s sweet,” Ava says, pressing a hand over her heart. “I’m glad you found them, Wren.”

We keep chatting, only stopping when Ava’s stomach growls and we realize we’ve been sitting here for hours. After one last hug, we go our separate ways, promising to get together soon. I feel better now that I’ve explained things to her as much as I can.

On the way home, I hold one of Oliver’s hands while he uses the other to steer. Piece by piece, everything seems to be falling into place. The guys’ revenge plans are coming to fruition, I’ve dealt with Patricia and Thomas, and now Richard is dead. Once we get the boys back to Corinne, there’s only one big thing left to do.

I sneak a glance at Oliver when he makes a turn. However much I agree with Rhett, I don’t want to force him to see Ludo one last time if he doesn’t want to. But at the same time, I think it’ll help. When Elliot told me what Holloway did to Oliver, it broke my heart. I can’t even imagine what he went through, so I know I wouldn’t want to relive it.

No matter what, though, we’ll be there for him. I won’t judge him if he decides not to see Ludo again. I’ll never know what he went through, and I’ll never fully understand his thoughts and feelings.

All I can do is support him as he tries to move on. It’s what he’s done for me, and it’s what all three guys willcontinuedoing for me.

“You’re worried about me,” Oliver says, and I realize I’m staring at him.

“Maybe a little,” I admit.

“Ell told you what happened?”

“Yeah.”

“So you . . . understand why I don’t want to go down there?”

“I do,” I say softly, only hesitating for a split second.

“But you agree with Rhett.”

“I’m not sure. The best comparison I have is my fear of water. But . . . well, it’s different. I can’t avoid water forever. After a bit, though, you’ll never have to worry about seeing Ludo again.”

“Except in my head,” he mutters.

I nod. The same is true for me. Thomas, Tyler, Jordan—hell, even Adam. They all flit through my head daily, leaving me unsettled. Finding a distraction has been easy these days, and I’m sure the memories will fade eventually. For now, though, they’re potent enough that they keep me up at night sometimes.

“I’m still thinking about what he said,” Oliver tells me. “I just . . . I want to be sure.”

“I understand that. I think waiting until you know is smart.”

Blowing out a breath, he says, “I feel like it could be a good idea for me to see him all broken and beat up. But at the same time, what happens if I go down there and freak out? How pathetic would that be, to be terrified of a man who’s in so much pain that he can’t even move?”

“It wouldn’t be pathetic,” I tell him gently.

He sighs. “I know that. I guess I just don’tfeelit. And the last thing I want to do is give him the satisfaction of seeing me scared of him.”

“Areyou scared of him?”

“I don’t think so. But . . . I don’t know. I don’t think I will until I see him. And by then, it’d be too late.”

“I won’t judge you if you don’t go down,” I say.

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