Page 43 of These Wicked Desires

This time, Ellis scoffs. "Like I'd ever give you anything again. Sick bastard."

"Then we are at an impasse," Kennedy shrugs. "I'm sorry you've wasted your time."

Ellis says nothing. She motions to me, and I take the flash drive out of my pocket, holding it between my pointer and middle fingers.

"I think we have something that might change your mind," I say quietly, forcing the nausea down. This is it. The moment that could break Ellis.

"Camera footage, pulled from the security system at your house. Footage from my bedroom, containing every horrific thing Sam did to me." Her voice trembles slightly, but her shoulders remain straight. Pride courses through me. I never once doubted her strength, but she always surprises me. Just when I think she couldn't handle any more, she does.

Kennedy's eyes narrow. "And I suppose you will threaten to release that footage if I don't release Cade's family?" Neither of us respond, but our silence is answer enough. Kennedy barks a laugh. "I don't see how that will affect me at all. You have no proof I had anything to do with that. Go ahead and release it."

I give Kennedy a small smile, one I know doesn’t reach my eyes. "The footage might not affect you. But I'm sure Sam Morris won't be too happy to hear you've leaked it. Ruining his pristine reputation." I tsk and shake my head.

Kennedy's gaze shoots to me, suspicion and a tiny bit of fear shining through.

"Go ahead, check your email drafts." I nod toward his computer with a smug grin.

Kennedy pulls up his email and frowns. In his drafts is an email to all the news stations, tabloids, and gossip mills. An email with the footage ready to be shared with the public.

Before he can move the mouse an inch to delete it, I freeze his hand with my magic, giving it a little extra zap in the process.

"This isn't the only copy we have of this," Ellis says. "Even if you deleted that email, we'd get it out there. And I just know how pissed Sam will be when everyone finds out how much of a jackass he really is. And to think, it was all your fault the world found out ..."

Kennedy grinds his teeth together, muscles flexing in his frozen hand. "6428 Mercer Street. Room 3. 928834 is the code to the door."

Ellis smiles sweetly and nods her head. "I knew you'd see it our way."

I toss the flash drive on the desk and turn to follow Ellis, saying over my shoulder. “It’s blank, by the way. There is nothing on that drive.”

Kennedy’s growl makes me chuckle, and I follow Ellis into the hallway, pulling out my phone to delete the unsent message in Kennedy’s email before I release my magic.

"Did you get the address?" she asks, peering up at me.

I nod numbly. "Yeah."

She wraps her arms around my waist and lends me her strength as we return to the main floor.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" I ask as we walk through the lobby to the main doors. A curl has fallen forward and is hiding her eyes from me. A strand of my magic creeps out and tucks it behind her ear before I can stop it. "Can you please let Sterling take you back to his mom's?"

She slows, pulling me to a stop with her. "You don't want me to help you rescue them?" The hurt is evident in her voice, and it breaks me.

"It's not that I don't want your help." I take her face in my hands and rub my thumb along her cheeks. "There is just going to be a lot going on. I'll have not only your safety to worry about, but my mom and sister's as well. Not to mention, I'm sure they are going to be overwhelmed. It might be easier for them if it's just me and Kai."

She bites her bottom lip, scanning my face like she thinks I'm lying. "Okay," she says quietly. "I'll help Allie and Shari."

She tries to turn away but I stop her. "Hey. I can't wait for you to meet them. I just don't know how things are going to go or what state we'll find them in."

"I understand. Just please be careful."

I nod and send a quick text to Sterling, asking him to come pick up Ellis. And then we wait.

I stand outside the house—well, more like an apartment complex—and take deep breaths. Looking at the building, you'd never guess there was anything nefarious going on inside. It matches the rest of the buildings on the street. Lower income, could use some work, but normal. If I were to guess, there is a ton of spell work on the building to keep people away.

"Ready?" Kai asks, squeezing my hand.

I appreciate having him with me. I know he'll support me, protect my family, and make sure everything goes smoothly while I try my hardest to focus.

I exhale and nod. "Yeah. Let's do this."

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