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Popping straight back up, I say sarcastically, “Is that really any way to greet an old friend?”
Rylie’s eyes widen as she recognises me, “Shit, shit, shit.” She curses as the second plate she was in the process of throwing leaves her hand before she can stop it, and I duck again.
“I’m going to let that one slide,” I reply with a massive grin which she returns; taking a momentary glance around the room, I see the chair that she was tied to and raise my eyebrow as I make my way over to her, “please tell me that you did not escape and decide to stick around just so that you could beat his ass?”
Rylie’s smirk is dangerous as she shrugs, “Of course I fucking did. I assume you found out who did a piss poor fucking job of kidnapping me?”
I nod and then pull her into my arms for a brief hug, like Ever she’s not that big on physical contact; actually, I think they’d get on amazingly if they ever met. However, that’s unlikely to happen since they run in completely different circles, and Ever’s life is complicated enough; I don’t want to add to it by pulling her further into my world. When I step back, I reply, “Yeah, we’ve got him. Not the most competent of kidnappers, is he?”
Rylie rolls her eyes, “You have no fucking idea. Did he tell you why he stole the information?”
I nod and quickly explain to her why he did it, knowing that the guys are probably starting to go slightly crazy outside, not knowing what is going on in here.
Instantly Rylie’s fire retreats to a simmer as her shoulders droop, and she sighs heavily, “For fuck sake, if he’d just fucking told me that, then I would have been able to help him. I’m still going to try, but I’m going to have to get to my mom before she gets to Freddy.”
“I was hoping you were going to say that we’ve already explained as best we can, so she is already thinking about it. Hopefully, you’ll be able to convince her too.” I reply, and she smiles, although it looks tired, which is completely understandable, but to me, this seems like bone deep wariness, “Are you okay? Seriously?”
Rylie sighs and leans back against the table that she was throwing plates at me from, “Surprisingly, this whole thing didn’t bring up any past memories from the other kidnapping, where I met you, although that’s most likely because Freddy is completely incompetent and not once did I actually feel threatened.”
I smirk at her explanation and then add, “But?”
Her lips twitch as she replies, “But I am exhausted of living like this.”
I frown, “Have you told your mom?” she shakes her head, so I add, “Well, maybe you should. She can’t do anything about it if she doesn’t know that you’re struggling with it.”
She tilts her head slightly as she looks at me, “You know that’s actually quite smart.”
“I have my moments,” I reply, and then add, “come on, we better get out there. One, your mom is probably going nuts at this point, and two, my men are out there and most likely seconds from barging in here to see if I’m alright.”
She stands up, her smile becoming teasing, “Your men?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve got myself a harem now,” I reply, without hesitation and knowing that there’s going to be no judgment from her.
Rylie bursts into shocked laughter, “Good on you. If anyone can handle juggling several men, it’s going to be you.”
As we walk across the tiny room, I reply, “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Good, I meant it as one,” she replies as we push out of the door and face some very anxious-looking men. Rylie mutters out of the side of her mouth, “Damn girl, you did good.”
I burst out laughing, and the guys instantly relax, all smiling at me.
“I know,” I reply.
“Rylie, I’m so fucking sorry everything just fucking snowballed,” Fredrick starts, and Rylie immediately cuts him off.
“I fucking know, and I’m going to try and help you, but I need you to let me talk to my mother before you start rambling, got it?” she demands, that fire that I’ve always admired lacing her voice.
He nods rapidly in reply, his eyes wide as my men look at her, impressed.
Chapter Fifteen
“Good, we better get back to Mom then. She doesn’t like to be kept waiting, and I’m assuming that she knows that you came to get me?” Rylie asks.
“Yeah, she knows,” Ace replies and then adds, “I’m afraid it might be a little bit cramped in the SUV on the way back to the house. Fortunately, it’s only a short drive.”
Rylie shrugs and jokes, “Being in a confined space with five gorgeous men and a gorgeous woman sounds like something from one of my dreams; I think I can handle it. Even if Fredrick’s there.”
“Oh ouch, man,” Mal chuckles as he looks at a frowning Fredrick.
