Page 67 of Vicious Deception
“Sure,” Benny says, but he’s still looking at Rhett. “You’re not leaving me again? And I don’t have to go back to my dad’s house?”
“Not leaving, and you never have to see Richard again if you don’t want to,” Rhett tells him.
At that, Benny looks a little conflicted, but he nods. Once everyone has cleared out of the living room, Rhett holds out the plate to me. I grab it and reluctantly take a couple bites. He watches me for a minute before turning to Wren.
“Sweetheart.” In a single step, he’s right in front of her, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her.
She grabs onto him, her grip tight. When he pulls away, she doesn’t let him get far. “Are you okay?” Her gaze moves to Elliot, and then to me. “Are . . . are all of you okay?”
“We’re fine, princess,” I say, even though the little food I’ve managed to swallow is threatening to make a reappearance.
“Areyouokay?” Rhett asks her. “What happened after we got captured?”
“Ludo sent a team,” she says. “Finn and I fought them off. Well, we killed two of them, and we got some information out of the third before I killed him, too.”
My jaw drops as Rhett’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“You . . . youkilleda man?” Elliot asks, his voice a mix of the same wonder and disappointment that I’m feeling.
“Two,” Wren admits almost bashfully. “Finn told me exactly what to do for the first guy, and the second one was restrained.”
“Yeah, but you killed them.” Elliot’s shoulders sag.
Glancing between us, Wren nods. “That bothers you?”
“No, I just . . .” Rubbing at the back of his neck, Elliot lets out a heavy breath. “I guess I just thought that if it happened, we’d be there to see it.”
“Oh,” Wren says softly.
“We’re proud of you, princess.” Giving her my best smile, I set my plate down on the coffee table. I made it halfway through the sandwich, and there’s no way I can stomach more. “Just wish we could’ve seen it.”
She laughs then, and while it’s tired, it’s not hollow. “Words I never thought I’d hear from a romantic partner. Well, until a couple months ago.” Resting her head on Rhett’s chest, she adds, “I wouldn’t want it any other way, though. And I’m glad we get to—that we’re all . . . that we get to . . .”
At first, I think she’s managed to push back the tears, but then her face scrunches up, and she buries her face in Rhett’s chest. Both Elliot and I move in immediately, surrounding her while she clings to Rhett.
“I know it was scary,” Rhett murmurs.
“I wasterrified,”she sobs. “I kept asking myself what I’d do if you didn’t make it. If I’d be able to . . .” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. Guys, I’m so sorry.”
“What?” Rhett pulls back slightly, just enough that he can look at her, but she drops her gaze.
“Princess,” I say softly. “What’re you talking about?”
That only makes her cry harder. My heart sinks as I realize what she means. This whole time, she’s been blaming herself.
“This . . .” Rhett shakes his head. “Wren, why areyousorry?”
“You don’t think this was your fault, do you?” Elliot asks.
“Of course it was!”
“Wren.” Grasping her shoulders, Rhett shakes his head. “Absolutely not. Just—no.”
“If I’d paid closer attention, then . . .” Another sob forces its way out. “None of this—none of this would’ve—”
“No,” Rhett says quickly, his voice firm. “No, sweetheart, you couldn’t’ve known. This wasn’t your fault. Not in the slightest.”
“But you were captured because I was seen. Because I—”