Page 44 of These Wicked Desires

As we approach the front door, it opens, revealing a guard dressed in gray and black fatigues. He scowls at us, but lets us through. Kennedy must have notified him.

I throw a protective shield around me and Kai so we don't have to spend so much energy watching our backs. It will drain me quickly, though, so we have to move fast.

"What's the number?" Kai asks, looking around with a frown.

"Three."

We stop in front of a solid wooden door with an electronic keypad next to it. My finger trembles as I punch the code in.

Kai pushes through first, head swiveling back and forth, blocking my view with his body. He doesn't move until he determines there is nothing for me to see that will hurt me.

My heart beats a mile a minute as I step inside. It's a small apartment, the kitchen and living space one area. A door to the left probably leads to a bed and bathroom. It's sparsely furnished, dust on every surface, and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling.

A rattling cough sounds from the bedroom, and I take a step in that direction. Time seems to slow down, like I'm walking through waist deep mud but also speeding along on a moving walkway. It takes forever and no time at all to reach the entrance. The door has been removed, and I distantly realize the rest have as well.

Huddled on the bed, wrapped in a comforter is my sister. She hovers over my mother, who is bundled in so many blankets I can barely see her. Another rattling cough, and the figure under the blankets jerks with each one.

“Mom? Chloe?" Their names are mere whispers, but they sound loud in silence.

Chloe's head whips in my direction. Blue eyes widening in shock. "Cade?" Her voice is hoarse, like she's unused to talking. Or has done a lot of screaming.

Tears blur my vision of her, and it doesn't take long for them to fall down my cheeks. I shakily step into the room, each breath I take harsh and uneven. I've imagined this moment for so long, but I never actually thought it would happen. I'm in the same room as my mom and sister. I'm going to get them out of here.

"Are you guys okay?" I rasp.

She shakes her head. "Mom is really sick. They won't give us any medicine."

My heart sinks, but I fortify my resolve. I can fall apart later. Right now, I need to get them to Allie. "I'm getting you out of here," I say and walk to the bed. "Come on."

Chloe is skin and bones under my arm. I help her stand, trying to ignore the way her body trembles from cold and weakness.

"What about mom?" she asks, voice shaking.

"Kai, can you carry her?" I ask.

Kai is already scooping my mom into his arms, careful to keep her wrapped in the blankets. A breathy whimper, followed by more coughing, makes me grit my teeth.

"Got her," Kai says. "Let's go."

We hurry through to the front door as fast as Chloe can manage. I'm supporting her more than she's holding herself up, and we make slow progress.

The guard continues to scowl at us, and we brush past him and head for the Hummer. My chest is tight with my held breath, and I don't release it until Kai takes off down the street.

"Am I dreaming?" Chloe whispers.

I look behind me and my eyes fill with tears again. She looks so haggard. Her brown hair dull and matted. She looks around, her mouth trembling and hands clutched in front her. When was the last time she saw the outside world? 83 years ago? So much has changed since then, I can’t imagine how overwhelming this must be for her.

"Chloe," I say. "You're safe now. I'm taking you to a friend’s house. There is a nurse waiting, and she'll take care of you and mom."

"I'm not dreaming?" she repeats.

I shake my head, swallowing thickly. "You're not dreaming."

She covers her face and sobs. I resist climbing in the back seat to comfort her. It's been 83 years since we saw each other. So instead, I give her a small smile and turn back around.

We did it. We saved my family, and Ellis didn't have to release that footage. I exhale and Kai reaches over the center console to squeeze my thigh.

"Thank you, Kai."

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