Page 45 of These Wicked Desires

"Anytime."

Ellis

"Quit looking at your phone," Allie chides. "They'll get back when they get back."

I sigh and set my phone on the counter. "Sorry. I'm just not used to not being there when they’re in danger."

She gives me a sympathetic smile, her blue eyes filled with compassion. "Keep busy. It will take your mind off things."

I grumble under my breath, but fill another bucket with hot water. Before I can lift it and trudge up the stairs with it, a large hand reaches over my shoulder and grabs the handle.

"I can carry it," Cole says, lifting the bucket effortlessly.

I watch him carry it upstairs and turn back to Allie. "Now what? He took my job."

She opens her mouth, but a buzz sounds through the house. With a smile she gestures to the laundry room. "You can fold blankets."

We've been hustling all morning to make sure we have everything we could possibly need for Cade's family's arrival. Not knowing what condition they will be in, we are preparing for everything.

My stomach knots thinking of the worst possible scenarios and how they will affect Cade. I know Kai is with him and can comfort him if needed, but it still seems like I should be there too.

Snapping in front of my face draws me out of my head. "Earth to Ellis," Allie coos.

"Sorry." I shake my head and turn to the laundry room.

The blankets are warm and smell like a fresh breeze with a hint of pine. I bury my nose in them, inhaling the scent that somehow still clings to Sterling despite him having not lived here in ages. It soothes the nervous part of me, and my shoulders relax.

Allie and I sit on the couch and fold the blankets and sheets. She keeps one eye on me like she's making sure I don't fall apart or run out of the house and head straight for the city.

"I'm fine, Allie. You don't have to keep staring at me."

"I can't help it," she cracks a smile. "You're just so sexy."

"Watch it," Sterling growls, descending the stairs. "She's taken."

"And so are you, Allie" Connor chimes in behind him.

Despite their stern faces, their eyes are alight with humor. Sterling approaches me and leans down, brushing a kiss against my lips.

"Cade texted me just now," he says. "They’re on their way back with his mom and sister."

I gasp. "Really? Did he say anything else?"

"No. But they should be here in about forty minutes."

I release a breath and sink back into the couch. "I hope they’re okay. At least as okay as they can be." I move a pile of folded blankets to the laundry basket, and Sterling sits on the arm of the couch. "Have you ever met them?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "By the time we met Cade, they had already been held captive for a few years. He didn't start working for Kennedy until his dad died."

Given everything that’s about to happen and not knowing their wellbeing, I can't help but feel a tinge of nerves. Meeting Cade's mom and sister is a big deal, and we'll be meeting under extreme circumstances.

Sterling catches on to my change in mood, and I don't know if it's the bond, his wolf, or just him being able to read me, but he seems to know exactly where my thoughts traveled.

"They'll love you, Ellis. My mom fell in love with you the second she met you. And you managed to worm your way into Cole's heart pretty damn quickly. I have no doubt Cade’s family will be the same."

Sterling tucks a curl behind my ear and kisses me again. He lingers a second longer, despite Allie and Connor talking softly with each other at the opposite end of the couch.

The front door opening draws us apart, and Sterling hops up to help Shari carry grocery bags in.

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