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Gripping the counter with both hands, I force myself to take deep, even breaths. Having to come here was bad enough already. Everything about this place reminds me of the events that led to Wren’s kidnapping. We almost lost her, and it all started because we took that job. It doesn’t matter that we found her and got her out safely. The terror on her face, the tears in her eyes . . . they’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.
As for Ludo, I wasn’t expecting to see his face today. His annoying, smug, stupidly punchable face. He’s ruined so much of our lives, and he’ll continue to until we finally kill him.
“Just a few more weeks,” I whisper to myself. The wedding is approaching quickly, and after that, we’ll have the evidence we need to destroy his reputation, close down his businesses on counts of money laundering and tax fraud, and god knows what else.
Once I’ve regained my composure, I straighten my shirt and exit the bathroom. Ludo and Axel don’t seem to be in the dining room anymore. My first assumption is that they must be in the back, but then I catch a glimpse of red in the garden. It’s too cold to sit out there, nor is anything in bloom yet.
There’s only one reason for them to be lingering outside. It’s the perfect place to have a private conversation.
My car is closer to the main entrance, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the scenic route—even if the garden is all brown and dusted in a thin layer of snow. I’m just getting some extra fresh air, that’s all.
I leave the restaurant through the garden door, making sure it closes without a sound. There’s a pathway that leads to the street, but I meander, taking in the barren bushes as I do.
Ludo and Axel aren’t in sight, thanks to a row of tall arborvitae bushes that they stepped around. They’re close enough together that they’re concealed from prying eyes, but it also means they have no idea I’m on the other side.
I step as close as I possibly can without rustling the bushes. Their conversation is just loud enough to be audible over the traffic not even thirty yards away.
“I want this dealt with before the wedding,” Ludo is saying, and the consistent sound of footsteps tells me he’s probably pacing. “We only have half the information we need. Huxley was behind Aubrey’s attempted kidnapping, buthow?Who could’ve possibly fed him our location?”
“What about Moore and his partners? Could they be rats?”
My shoulders tense at Axel’s accusation. The last thing we need is for Holloway to cast suspicion on us.
“No, that wouldn’t make much sense,” Ludo says.
“They were there when Aubrey was almost kidnapped.”
“And theysavedher,” Ludo snaps. “You’re smarter than this, Axel. I didn’t make you my most trusted man because of your good looks. Use your fucking brain.”
Axel’s voice stays perfectly level, like he’s used to putting up with Ludo’s bad moods. “It’s possible they staged it. It’s rather convenient that it happened in their penthouse instead of when they were out and about, don’t you think?”
“Then explain why Andrew had to steal a key card for Huxley’s men to even get up to the penthouse. Why would they have him do that when they could’ve just given him one?
“Not to mention, they don’t know who Andrew is. Wren met him briefly when Jordan captured her, but she was so scared that she didn’t recognize him. Even if she figured it out, she has no idea Andrew is with us now. I made sure he stayed out of sight while we were in Florida.”
“Do you think Wren is working separately from her partners?” Axel asks. “She’s a new addition to their relationship, correct? Maybe she infiltrated them to get close to you?”
“No. She’s too weak. Easy to manipulate, as well.”
I grit my teeth. Wren is far from weak. Maybe Ludo manipulated her when we were in Florida, maybe not. She had so much going on in her head when she jumped into that pool without thinking. It’s hard to get the full picture on why she did what she did.
“Wrenhasgotten pretty close to Aubrey lately,” Axel points out.
“Because unfortunately, everyone on this goddamn planet seems to be in love with my fiancée,” Ludo growls.
Axel sighs. “If you’re sure.”
“Keep your suspicion of them if you want. It won’t hurt anything. But I’ve tested the men, and they’ve earned my trust. Wren isn’t a threat.”
Relief billows through me. Not only is Ludo refusing to even consider that we betrayed him, but he’s also severely misjudging Wren. She may be sweet and caring, and she may still be early on in her training, but she’s strong as hell. And now, I’m realizing just how much of an advantage that gives us over Ludo.
“Do you have any suspicions, then?” Axel asks.
“I do,” Ludo says, and I lean forward so I don’t miss the next part. “There were only a few people who knew Aubrey and I were in Florida. I’ve already gone through the entire list, and it wasn’t any of them.”
“Then who?”
“I think it was Owen.”
