Page 39 of These Wicked Desires

“That’s fine,” I say, nodding. “I get it. Kai and I can handle this.”

“But if something happens, call me. She is still my mate, and I’ll do whatever I have to to protect her.”

I nod again and glance at Kai. He’s staring at Ellis through the window again, eyes practically glowing. “Kai, are you okay?”

He doesn’t answer, but a soft growl rumbles in his chest. The tips of his fangs are visible, even with his mouth closed. The monster is riding him hard.

“Sterling, why don’t we go … somewhere else,” I say, tipping my head in Kai’s direction.

Sterling smirks and pushes to his feet. “Yeah, sure.”

Ellis

The porch door swings open and Cade and Sterling step out into the night.

“Hey, Allie? I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” I hang up before she even responds. The nerves that disappeared while I was talking to her come back in full force. “Is everything alright?” I press my hands to my stomach in an attempt to quell the tumbling.

Cade sits next to me on the swing while Sterling leans against the railing, arms crossed over his chest.

“I was able to get the footage,” Cade says quietly. “I downloaded it to a thumb drive, and deleted the original footage from the server it was stored on. We now have the only copy of it.”

For now. If Thomas doesn’t agree to release Cade’s family, then who knows how many copies of that footage will be created and saved to various devices. The thought makes me double over, and I swallow back the bile that burns up my throat.

“Ellis, it’s not too late to change your mind.” Cade rubs my back, and as much as I want to shy away from his touch, I force myself to sit still. “Just say the word and I’ll destroy that thumb drive so no one will ever see it.”

It’s so fucking tempting. But Cade’s mom and sister’s lives are at stake, and I don’t know any other way to get them back. I will shred myself into millions of pieces to keep Cade happy. To keep all of my guys happy. They have done nothing but ensure my safety and happiness. It’s the least I can do.

I take a deep breath and sit up, squaring my shoulders. “I’m not changing my mind.”

Cade’s eyes dart back and forth as he takes in my expression. Finally, he sighs. “I didn’t think you would.”

“Cade and I are going to talk to my mom about letting his family stay with her. We’ll be back shortly.” Sterling pushes away from the railing and leans down, grabbing my chin and kissing me. “I love you, kitten.”

“Can I come?” I ask. I’d love to get another chance to talk to Shari.

Cade shakes his head. “You need to stay here. Kai is … on edge.” He glances behind me through the window, and it takes all my self control to not look over my shoulder. Cade leans in to whisper in my ear, his breath making me shiver. “Help our boy calm down.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, he leaves with Sterling, taking Kai’s Hummer.

I watch until the taillights disappear down the mountain, but before I can stand up to head inside, the front door opens, swinging so hard on its hinges it bangs into the wall and rebounds. I jump and slap my hand over my chest, my heart thumping madly under my palm.

“Geez, Kai. You scared me!” I narrow my gaze at him, and a thrill runs through me, tempering the shock.

His eyes glitter like rubies as he stares at me. He’s so still, his supernatural otherness blatantly obvious. And being the sole focus of that intense gaze makes me squirm.

“Get inside,” he growls.

I know I shouldn’t. I know he’s on edge and the monster is rearing its head, but I can’t help myself. Besides, giving the monster something to focus on, other than what we’re going to do tomorrow, will be good. “Why?” My lips quirk in a small, teasing smile.

I didn’t think it was possible, but he stiffens further, every muscle tensing to the point of vibration. A rumbling growl echoes in his chest and he curls his top lip, revealing those dangerously sexy fangs. My core tightens in response and I swallow, causing Kai’s gaze to drop to my neck.

“Inside. Now.” His words are guttural as he grounds them out, and his eyes flash dangerously.

I cock my head to the side and cross my arms. “I don’t want to.” The sass is strong tonight, and no wonder. After deciding to use that footage, I need to reclaim a sense of ownership over my life.

Kai growls and takes a step toward me. His steps are measured and steadied, each one thumping on the wooden porch. My heart beats in time with them, increasing until he stops in front of me.

"That wasn't a suggestion, little bird," he says, voice low and shivering over my skin. "You can play the brat all you want, I have all the time in the world. It will only increase your punishment."

I tilt my head up to meet his burning red gaze and raise one eyebrow. Daring. Challenging. Pissing off the monster even more.

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