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Once Ludo steps into the foyer followed by Axel, Huxley tries to run. And bytry,I mean he’s barely able to take half a step in the direction of the front door. Rhett and I have too strong a hold on him.
Huxley stumbles and falls to his knees when Rhett shoves him forward. “Holloway, I didn’t kidnap your wife. I had nothing to do with this!”
“We couldn’t find Aubrey anywhere,” Elliot says, “and as you can see, he’s claiming that he had nothing to do with her disappearance.”
“Well, he’s telling the truth, isn’t he?” Ludo’s expression is almost indifferent as he pulls out his gun, aims it at Huxley’s head, and shoots.
Wait, what?
My ears are still ringing from the gunshot as a handful of men walk in. One of them shoves Andrew into the room, and Rhett goes completely still beside me.
Ludo gives us a vicious smirk. “I know it was you.”
Shit.
Chapter twenty-three
Rhett
“Ihavetoadmit,you three had me fooled.” Ludo’s voice is twisted with sick amusement. “But, I suppose, I had you fooled as well.”
Panic slides through my veins. Based on what Elliot told us, Ludo sounded desperate to get Aubrey back. It made perfect sense. He couldn’t let it get out that his wife was taken from right under his nose. It didn’t even cross my mind that he could’ve been setting us up.
My hand twitches at my side. We’re surrounded. There’s no way we can fight our way out of here and survive. Even if we did, we can’t leave Andrew and Benny behind. Not now.
“I’d like you to know, Brooks, that your brother sold you out. Your own flesh and blood.”
Hearing that is like a stab to the gut, but I keep my eyes fixed on Ludo. He still doesn’t know that we ran into Andrew in Florida when he should’ve been in his room. If Ludo finds out, it might be the last straw before he decides he’s done with Andrew. Betrayal or not, I can’t stand to see any harm come to him.
“Brother?” I croak. “I only had a little sister.”
Ludo’s smile is smug and cruel, and for the first time, I realize I may never get a chance to wipe it off his face. “That’s what you thought. But as it turns out, your father had two more sons after you.” Ludo gestures for Andrew to step forward.
When our gazes meet, guilt washes over Andrew’s face, but it’s gone in a split second. I survey the rest of the room but don’t find who I’m looking for.
Where’s Benny? What’s Ludo done to him?
“How the hell do you know this?” I demand.
“I knew I’d need leverage on you three soon, and after Wren’s kidnapping, she’s barely left your sight. I wasn’t ready to take her at Jordan’s, so I resolved to find someone else to use.” Holloway’s eyes slide to Oliver. “I thought about your family, but there’s something about threatening a child that makes people bend to your will so much easier.”
“Motherfucker,” Oliver mutters under his breath.
“Why do you need leverage?” Elliot asks. His voice is calm, but underneath that cool exterior, I know he has to be panicking.
“You’ll find out soon.” Ludo nods to a few of his men, who advance toward us. “Just know that if you tryanything,I’ll kill both your brothers without a moment’s hesitation.”
As the weight of the situation settles over us, we move closer to each other. It won’t do any good, but I’m not sure any of us do it consciously.
“Ell,” Oliver whispers just as my fingers brush against his.
Don’t fight. Please, for the love of god, don’t fight.
“I’m sorry,” Elliot says to us as two men grab him. He doesn’t resist. “I should’ve—”
“Shut up,” Ludo snaps. “Unless you’re planning on telling me where Aubrey is—or where you’re keeping my hard drive—I don’t want to hear a word from you.”
“Aubrey already sold the drive,” Elliot says, “and she didn’t tell us where she was going in case something like this happened.”
