She shrugs. “I fell asleep after your… visit… but then woke up early again.” She bites her lower lip. “I’m nervous.”
“You can always stay, if that’s what you’d prefer.” I don’t want her to stay, but I don’t want her to feel pressured into this. If she feels she has a choice, it will give her the illusion of control.
“No way. I’m going wherever you go.”
I offer her a reassuring smile. “Another twenty-four hours, and the Prophet will be out of your life for good.”
“I hope so. Is Daisy awake yet?”
I glance over my shoulder as though I half expect to find the girl lurking behind me. “I don’t think so. We let her sleep.”
“I’ll go and wake her up.”
She slips past me, pausing only to give me a quick kiss and squeeze my hand, and then she’s gone, leaving me with only memories of last night. What fucking incredible memories they are, too. Just the thought sends blood rushing to my cock, and I have to force myself to think of something else, so I don’t come in my pants at the mental image of Ophelia’s ass and pussy swallowing the candle and hairbrush.
On the bed, Roman tries to get his arm through his t-shirt, and he winces.
“Need some help?” I offer.
“Sure.”
I hold out the sleeve for him, and he manages to get his arm through it.
“Still in pain, huh?”
He blows out a breath. “Yeah, always feels worse first thing. I’ll loosen up after I move around a bit.”
I don’t mention how he’s now got to spend ten or more hours in a car. “Sure you’re up for this?” I check. “You could always get Ophelia to stay here with you.”
He shakes his head. “No fucking way. We stick together.”
“I figured you’d say that.”
He narrows his eyes. “Why the suggestion, then? Do you think we’re making a mistake by taking Ophelia with us?”
“I don’t think we’ve got much choice. We can’t leave her here, alone.”
“No, you’re right. We can’t.” He stares at me. “So… Why did you bring it up?”
I shrug. “I’d be happier for her to stay here if she was with someone, and you’re injured, so you and her staying makes sense, to a degree, so I put it out there. Gave you a choice. I’m glad you made the one you did, though. But I wouldn’t try to force you to go if you weren’t up to it.”
Am I worried we’re making a mistake? Could we be wrong about Daisy? Of course, it’s possible, but I also know with utmost certainty that none of us will function if we don’t have Ophelia by our sides. Having Roman stay with her would be a lesser evil than her staying behind alone, which isn’t happening, but I am relieved he said no to the offer.
I leave Roman to finish getting dressed. Downstairs, I find Ophelia has woken Daisy, and they’re both gathering theirbelongings. Malachi has made coffee, and he pours everyone a mug. We don’t have long to drink it, but we all need the hit of caffeine. The mood is tense, and when we speak, it’s in low, respectful tones.
There’s movement outside, followed by a brisk knock at the door. It’ll be the team my father sent. I’m still surprised my father has been so accommodating, but it’s a good fucking thing he has, or we’d be screwed. I’m not sure what we’d do—probably have to ask the Vipers or Devils for help again.
I open the door to find Felix standing there.
“We’re ready to move out, sir,” he says.
“Five minutes,” I tell him.
We’ll be leading the way in my truck, with the RV following. We can follow the Satnav for most of the journey, but once we get closer, we’re going to need to rely on Daisy. The idea of Daisy being in control doesn’t sit well with me, but we don’t have much choice. She’s the only one who can guide us to the exact location of the commune. There’s the possibility that Ophelia will start to recognize things when she gets closer, but she’s been away from the cult for some time now, and her memory won’t be as sharp as Daisy’s.
The others haul bags and supplies out to my old truck. While there are also supplies in the RV, they have the kind of high energy packet meals designed for camping, not the junk food required for road trips. Malachi walks past with his arms full of soda cans and potato chips—a meal of champions.
Everyone is out by the truck, but I realize someone is missing. Daisy. Shit. Where is the girl now? I glance back to the water tower just as she slips out of the front door. She’s pale, her head down, clutching her bag tightly. It’s understandable that she’s nervous. Perhaps, out of all of us, she’s the one who has the most to lose. Her entire family is in danger.
