Page 32 of Sinful Kingdom

Emmie sits down beside me and takes my hand while Stella lowers her arse to the table in front of me.

“We don’t know, Evie,” Emmie says. “But what we do know is that they all know what they’re doing and we have to trust them. I know it’s hard. We’re worried too. But they wouldn’t do anything to put Alex and Zay at more risk than they already are.”

“They’re going to get them back, and they’re going to destroy this human trafficking ring in the process,” Stella says confidently.

Jodie and Blakely join us with fresh coffees for everyone, and we spend the rest of the afternoon and evening sitting outside in the sun, all of us anxiously waiting for news.

Brianna joins us, completing our group. It’s a weird yet comforting feeling being surrounded by so many fierce women when growing up it was just me and Blake.

I’m in awe of each and every one of them. And I couldn’t wish for anyone better to have my back right now.

As the sun begins to sink behind the trees at the end of the garden, my eyes are so heavy that I can barely keep them open.

“You should go and get some rest,” Blakely says.

“I don’t want to miss anything if they come back.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Stella assures me. “But Blakely is right, you need to rest.“

I look around at all the glum, concerned faces around me.

“Promise you’ll come and wake me if anything happens.”

“We promise,” Gianna assures me.

“Come on,” Calli says. “I could do with a lie down too. That’s if you want company.”

‘Thank you,’ I mouth.

Together, we make our way through the quiet house and up the stairs. Calli follows me into Alex’s room.

“I can go to D’s room if you want to be alone,” she offers as I head for the bathroom.

“I’d rather not be, if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course.”

I duck into the bathroom, and when I emerge, I find her standing at Alex’s desk, looking at the photos I was studying earlier.

“They’re really something, huh?” I ask.

“You’ve no idea,” she laughs. “All six of them, they’re… everything.”

“You all are too. They’re lucky to have you.”

“We’re a bizarre little family, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

A yawn cuts off any response I might have to that comment. With a concerned look, Calli takes my hand and leads me to Alex’s bed.

“Rest. If anything happens, we’ll wake you.”

Curling up under the sheets, I bury my nose in the pillow, breathing in the faint scent of Alex that lingers.

“Have faith,” Calli whispers. “He’ll come back to you.”

* * *

The room is in darkness when I wake. Calli is still out cold next to me, her nap seemingly turned into a full night's sleep.

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