Page 42 of These Wicked Desires

The buildings look the same to me. Gray. Tall. Imposing. Suffocating. I never realized how much I hate the city until now. After spending so much time on the mountain, I'm not sure I could return to city life. It's too hectic. Too fast. It's too easy to lose sight of the important things in the hustle and bustle.

"Wow," Kai says, tugging his hat lower over his eyes. "I don't miss this." A car pulls in front of the Hummer, causing Kai to slam on the brakes and lay on the horn. "Motherfucker! I'm driving a fucking tank! I'll destroy you in your fancy sports car."

"Road rage much?" Ellis mutters.

"I think I hate the city," Kai says, ignoring Ellis's barb.

I snort. "I was just thinking that."

"I don't mind it," Ellis says, looking out the window. "At least for short periods of time."

I clear my throat and turn to face Ellis. "I was thinking, when all of this is over, we could have the cabin renovated. Update it, add on some rooms. As long as it’s okay with Sterling. It’s on pack lands so he’d be set. Kai can commute to work, it’s not that bad of a drive. We could all live there ... if you wanted.”

Ellis's eyes light up and she sucks in a hopeful breath. "Really?"

I nod and smile. "Yeah. Obviously we’d have to clear all of that with Sterling, since it’s technically his family’s."

"I would love that," she breathes, her fingers tightening around mine.

By the time we pull up to the Kennedy building, silence has once again settled heavily atop us. Oppressive, almost, in the way it makes it difficult to breathe. The severity of what we're doing, the impact this could have on Ellis, hangs thick in the air.

Kai pulls the Hummer to the side of the road and cuts the engine. "Okay, I’ll wait in the car. You know what to do if you need help."

Before Ellis can climb out, Kai reaches back and grabs her wrist, tugging her between the front seats. "Be careful, Ellis. Try to keep your powers hidden, but if you or Cade end up in trouble, don't hesitate to use them to save yourselves."

"I won't." she promises. With a quick kiss for Kai, she hops out of the Hummer, and I follow her.

"Nervous?" I ask, taking her hand and climbing the steps.

"Actually, I'm not. I'm looking forward to bossing him around for once."

I chuckle. "That's my girl."

We push into the lobby of the Kennedy building and turn toward the elevators. My fingers shake as I press the button for the top floor, and Ellis squeezes my hand tighter. The ride to the top seems like it takes forever and no time at all. My foot taps restlessly on the marble floor until the door opens and the elevator dings.

"Here we go," she mutters, dragging me out and into the hallway.

The elevator opens into a small lobby with a secretary and a few chairs in a waiting room. The secretary sits behind a large desk and smiles. Before she can say anything, Ellis storms past and heads straight for Kennedy's office, ignoring the woman's protests.

I'm amazed at Ellis's determination. I see no fear, no worry, no trepidation on her face. Her shoulders are pulled back and her chin is lifted. I wouldn't be surprised to find her eyes shining with her golden fire.

Her courage and strength when it comes to her Shields is heartwarming.

She knocks three times on the office door, then shoves it open. Inside, Thomas Kennedy sits at his desk, reigning over the room like a corrupt king. His eyes widen and he jerks back as Ellis and I enter.

"Hello father," Ellis says, voice thick with sarcasm. "I hope you're doing well."

"What are you doing here? Why did my secretary let you in?" He pushes up from the desk, but Ellis stops him.

"Sit down." Her tone is firm and unyielding, and a pulse of something—magic maybe—makes her words even more powerful.

I blink at the ferocity of her tone. A fucking lioness indeed.

Kennedy gapes for a moment, then smiles. It's twisted and dark, but he sits with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning back in his chair. With a raised brow, he asks, "What can I do for you today?"

"You can release Cade's mom and sister," Ellis says. She widens her feet like she’s preparing for a fight and I have to bite back a smile.

Kennedy snorts. "Sure. What are you going to give me in return?"

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