Page 125 of Vicious Deception

With a nod, Benny says, “She’s all alone. What if she thinks it’ll stay that way? That she’ll never see us again?”

“If we go back, then this is over,” Andrew tells him. “You’ll go back to living with her.”

For a second, Benny hesitates, but then he nods. “I don’t want her to be alone. But . . .” He backs away and looks up at Rhett. “We’ll still see you?”

“Absolutely,” Rhett says. “You’ll have to pretend you’ve never met me, though.”

“We can do that.” Andrew nudges Benny. “As long as you’re sure?”

“I am. She’s nicer by herself, and I don’t want her to keep missing us.”

“We can make it happen,” Oliver says. “I’m sure she’ll be relieved to see that you’re both okay.”

“When can we go home?” Benny asks.

“Just give us a week,” Rhett replies. “We already have a plan in place to get you back home.”

Chapter thirty-six

Rhett

Beforewegettheboys back to Corinne, I do my best to spend as much time with them as possible. It’ll be a while before I can show up and explain to Corinne who I am. If it’s too close to Richard’s death and the boys’ return, it could look suspicious.

I’ll miss them both—even Andrew. He’s come around to truly seeming remorseful about what he did, and I hope that continues. He has a lot of growing up to do, but thankfully, he has plenty of time to do it.

The day we say goodbye to the boys, we tie them up and leave them in an abandoned warehouse. All it takes is an anonymous tip to the authorities, and then the police come and get them out. We coached Andrew and Benny on what to say—and whatnotto say—for hours. They won’t let us down.

When we get home, the mansion feels empty. The boys were only here for two weeks, but now it feels like they’re just as much a part of this place as we are.

Night falls on us quicker than I expect, and I’m left feeling restless. There’s only one thing left to take care of now. One more thing, and then the future we’ve been dreaming of will be here.

Sammy’s murder will be avenged.

Everyone will be together.

We’ll be free.

It’s been long enough,a voice whispers in my head, not for the first time. But now, I think I finally agree with it. I’ve held us back for long enough. Holloway has been in an unimaginable amount of pain. He’s paid for what he’s done.

“It’s time,” I say.

Wren closes her book and looks up at me. She’s curled up on the couch with Oliver, reading while he strokes her hair. I’ve been standing by the window, watching raindrops trail down the window.

“You’re sure?” Elliot asks from where he’s lounging in an armchair. “You can’t take this back.”

When I nod, they all stand. Wren moves toward me and places her hands on my chest before pressing a tender kiss to my lips. As I brush my knuckles down her cheek, I inhale her sweet floral scent. Without her and Finn, I’m not sure where we’d be.

“I love you,” I whisper, brushing her hair out of her face.

Her smile is warm and bright. “I love you, too.”

Hand in hand, we head down to the basement. If it wasn’t for Wren touching me, I’m not sure I’d be able to process that this is real. That we’re finallyhere.

Oliver unlocks the door and pulls it open. Inside, Ludo looks like he’s barely moved since the last time I was down here.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough?” Ludo asks, his voice barely more than a whisper.

“Not quite.” Pulling a knife from my pocket, I flip it open, and Ludo’s eyes widen with fear.

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