“If my-”
Shaking my head, I rephrase what I was going to say for my own sanity.
“If Jedediah found my number in Abby’s possession, it would be bad for her. Staying in contact with the ungodly means punishment—severe punishment. Probably the paddle with the nails.”
“What makes him able to determine if someone is ungodly?” Carter asks with an edge to his voice.
I look into his dark eyes and spot the anger for Jedediah that mirrors my own.
“Anyone who does not follow his words or doesn’t believe he is the Prophet is ungodly. Jedediah enjoys the power. It’s not about God, but hurting and controlling people. He gets off on it. The louder we cry, the more thrilling it is for him.”
Carter balls his hands into fists as I feel the anger radiating from his body like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.
“He needs to fucking die. Now.”
I’m surprised when Knox doesn’t agree with him completely.
He shakes his head and says, “Not until after Killian’s fight. Until then, we stay here, where it’s safe.”
My gaze moves between the two of them as they have one of those silent conversations that usually doesn’t bother me, but it does now. It infuriates me.
“Why is a stupid fight more important than the children? Nothing matters more than avenging my past and protecting thechildren. Abigail is pregnant, and I promised her the baby she’s carrying will never be harmed by my-his cult.”
Knox touches my face, trying to calm me down as he speaks tenderly.
“Tesoro, we will do everything you need, but this has to come first. Kill got you out, but that did not come without a cost.”
I hadn’t even thought about how or why he got me out.
“What was the cost? I’ll pay it back as soon as I can. I certainly don’t want to owe Killian a debt.”
Knox shakes his head at Carter.
“No. We agreed, and we don’t break our promises. Even when he has done the unfathomable. If she wants to know more, it has to come from him. It’s the only way.”
I get up and place my hands on my hips and narrow my gaze at him.
“Is this a game to you? Or maybe you are in cahoots with Killian? Tell me the truth or I’ll leave right now. Did you three plan everything out?”
I feel crazy for questioning Carter and Knox, but I can’t understand why they seem to be defending him after trying to fucking have me killed.
Carter’s eyes widen with surprise as he holds his hands up.
“You think I was part of some plan to lose you? Absofuckinglutely not, Little Heathen. I know you’re upset, but you cannot possibly believe that. If I knew that bullet was coming for you, I would’ve stepped in front of it. No second guessing—I would’ve died to save you. Killian acted alone. We had no knowledge of the fucking phone call he placed.”
I look at Knox, and he nods as he clears his throat, his voice thick with emotion.
“Tesoro, had we known, we would have taken you somewhere far away.”
I fall to my knees as the devastation consumes me. Not only did Killian fracture my trust in him, but now I’m questioning his brothers who have only been good to me. They’ve never given me a reason to doubt them.
“I-Im sorry.” I say while the tears run down my face. Carter leans forward and catches the moisture on his tongue.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing. When someone betrays you the way Killian did, it’s understandable for you to question other people you have trusted. We understand.”
I glance at Knox and he echoes his brother's words.
“You had the rug pulled out from under you. Maybe you didn’t trust him like you did Carter and I, but you never saw it coming. Neither did we. And I’d probably be concerned had you not questioned us as well, but I promise you, Tesoro—we’d never do anything to harm you.”
