14
Donatella
“‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’Good people, that comes from Romans 8:28.”
Donna looked around at the rest of the congregation and wondered if anyone else was bored as all fuck and tired of listening to Bobby Lee’s long ass sermon. After sitting on a hard ass bench for at least three hours, she was on the verge of faking a seizure.
Kelly reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s almost over,” he whispered in her ear. “It has to be because I’m about ready to blow my fucking brains out.”
Donna chuckled softly. “Dudelovesto hear his own voice.”
“No shit. So, I think I may have located the armory.”
She turned to see if he was serious. “Yeah?” she asked with raised brows.
Donna felt a rush of excitement. The sooner they got something on the preacher, the sooner she could return to her life.
“Yeah. I think they keep the weapons in that red barn behind the main house. Yesterday, Harry Barber asked me to take a ride to Joliet with him and a few of the fellas.”
Harry Barber was Robert Lee Khal’s righthand man. The Feds suspected that he was the man in charge of the buying and selling of illegal firearms. So, if he was taking Kelly on a run, that meant he was gaining their trust.
Donna was making progress as well since she’d been living in the main house with the rest of Bobby Lee’s future wives. In the commune, everyone had a job to do. Her job was working on the membership committee. With that came sorting and keeping account of charitable donations. She’d also been assigned to help out with the Glory Gala, a formal ball created to court the wealthy. To Bobby Lee, absolutely everything was about money. He made that very clear during one of his sermons where he successfully preached his members into turning over their income for the good of the family. Most of the congregation had outside jobs. They would work eight-hour days just to return to the commune and work more. Some even sold their homes, moved into the commune, and handed the money from the sale right over to the church aka Robert Lee Khal.
The sound of eager applauding alerted Donna that the self-observed, so-called holy man had finally shut the fuck up. When she smiled and started clapping frantically, it wasn’t a performance. She was genuinely ecstatic that the service was finally reaching its end.
Joining the rest of the sheep, she stood and shouted praises to the lord. Donna looked around and noticed that although they were verbally praising God, they were actually worshipping Robert Lee Khal.
Kelly grabbed her hand as they moved around the church, engaging in brief conversations with the parishioners. Donna was amazed at how many seemingly educated and successful people allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the false prophet. She was mesmerized listening to one woman speak about how miserable she’d been as a partner in a law firm before she joined The Blood of The Chosen until she was tapped on the shoulder.
“Sister Kateri,” a feminine voice came from behind.
Donna smiled when she turned around and saw Clara, a striking, seemingly sweet woman who might have been in her late forties. According to Vera, she had been a member for twenty-five years.
“What’s up, Miss Clara?” She shared a smile of her own.
“The prophet would like to see you.” Her voice was gentle and soothing. “He’d like for you to meet him by the pond.
“Okay. Thank you, Miss Clara.”
She nodded and walked away. Donna turned back to Kelly who was eyeing her curiously. She placed her hand on his shoulder and addressed the small circle of folks who were obviously oblivious to the fact that they were in a cult.
“I’ve been summoned. I’ll see you guys later.”
After the goodbyes, Donna stood on her toes and kissed Kelly on the lips. “Sweetheart, I’ll be back.”
It was important for them to keep up the appearance of being a happy couple. Although a few of the members knew she had been moved to new and better sleeping quarters, and that she’d been chosen to be one of the prophet’s many wives, she was still playing the role of a woman reluctant to leave her man.
“Alright, babe. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Donna nodded and walked away.
“You two make a beautiful couple,” she heard a woman say as she walked away. The comment was ridiculous, especially since everyone knew she was set to marry Bobby Lee soon.
She maneuvered through the crowd and walked out into the warm sun. Even though it was late afternoon, it was still hot out.
She walked over rocks and through grass, passing three brick buildings that had been converted to sleeping quarters for the members. Since everyone had attended church services, the compound, which was normally covered with people working the grounds either building or tending the land, was unusually peaceful.
Since joining the Blood of The Chosen, Donna barely had any time to herself. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she was always surrounded by other members. She was never alone. So, she walked slow, appreciating every second of serenity.
