Page 51 of Addicted

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I took a quick shower and got dressed, throwing on a pair of leggings and an oversized hoodie.

My body was still humming from what Stone had just done to me, but I tried to push it out of my mind. Ish was coming. That’s all that mattered right now.

I went back downstairs and paced the living room, too anxious to sit still. I kept glancing at the window, waiting to see headlights pull up.

Stone was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone, completely unbothered. How the fuck was he so calm all the time?

Finally, after what felt like forever, I saw an SUV pull up outside. My heart jumped into my throat. I watched as two of Stone’s men got out of the front seats. Then the back door opened, and Ishmael stepped out.

My little brother.

I didn’t even think. I just ran. I raced past Stone, who didn’t even look up from his phone, and yanked open the front door.

Ish was walking up the path, his face hard and closed off. He was trying to look tough. Trying to act like he wasn’t scared. But the second he saw me, his expression crumbled.

“Indie,” he breathed.

I pulled him inside and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him so tight I thought I might break him. Tears streamed down my face, and I didn’t even try to stop them.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d been missing him until he was right there in front of me.

“I’m so sorry,” Ish whispered into my shoulder. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry, Indie.”

“It’s okay,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “It’s okay, Ish. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

We stood there for a long moment, just holding each other. Then I pulled back and looked at him, my hands on his shoulders.

He looked okay. A little tired, maybe. A little stressed. But he was okay.

“Come on,” I said, wiping my eyes. “Let’s go sit down.”

I led him into the living room, and we sat on the couch opposite the one where Stone was. Ish glared at Stone, his jaw tight. Stone didn’t even look up from his phone.

Ish turned to me, his eyes searching my face. “What the fuck is going on?” he asked. “Did he hurt you?”

Stone finally looked up, his eyes locking on me. Waiting.

“No,” I said quickly. “He didn’t hurt me, Ish. I’m good.”

Ish didn’t look convinced.

“So what have you been doing for the past few weeks?” he asked. “You’ve been here?”

I nodded. “Yes, I’ve been here. With Stone.”

I didn’t elaborate. Didn’t know how to explain what the fuck was going on between me and Stone when I didn’t even understand it myself.

But Ish seemed to get the picture. His eyes widened slightly, and he looked back at Stone, then at me again.

“Why did them niggas make me pack my shit?” he asked. “Am I moving in here?”

I looked at Stone, waiting for him to explain. This was his plan, after all.

Stone set his phone down and leaned back on the couch, his arms spread across the back.

“Nah, you ain’t moving in here, lil’ nigga,” he said. “Y’all coming with me to my spot.”