“Got a text saying that she hasn’t woken up yet, but she had a good night and that her stats are improving.I also had Riot and Rocky go to get you a replacement phone since yours is at the bottom of the lake.”
“Thank you?—”
The door bangs against the wall, and my boy comes barreling in with a cape and mask on.
“Daddy, Ms.Sutton!”
“Hey buddy,” Sutton greets him, bending down, and I watch her flinch when he throws himself at her for a hug.
“Wanna play LEGOS?”he asks.
I’m about to decline for her, but she says, “Of course, I’d love to, but I only have thirty minutes.Wanna see who can build the tallest tower that doesn’t fall over?”
“Yeah!”
If I wasn’t already falling for this woman, this would be the moment I did.The way she cares for Zane and how much he loves her back just sealed her fate to me.If she thinks she can leave, she’s got another thing coming.I’ll level that entire fucking cult before I let them take her from me.
It’s been five days since the attack that sent us crashing over the bridge.Tomorrow Raegan gets to go home from the hospital.I’ve been by there almost every day before work, visiting and making sure she has everything she needs even though Stone insists that he’s got it.
“Shepherd Walter requires your presence on the back porch,” Karen snips from the doorway of my room.
I’m almost ready to leave for work, putting on my dreaded long skirt and white shirt.I’ve been snooping through some of Papa’s files in his office and found Mama’s passport, which means she’s stateside and not out of the country.I’m close to locating her, and then I’m out of here.There are only a handful of places Papa could’ve sent her.
Checking to make sure I’m presentable, I head down and out to the backyard.A fleet of black SUVs line the driveway.Papa is standing there speaking with a group of men.He’s wearing his normal slacks and white button down shirt.His face is hard as he listens to the older man with a dark tan in a white suit and matching hat.The man’s eyes are shielded with black shades, and when he speaks with his hands, I see gold rings on his pinkie fingers.There are multiple men in black suits that stand to the side of the man not looking at him or Papa but at the surroundings.We don’t get a lot of visitors here on the farm so seeing all this activity makes me nervous.My body is sore from the crash, so I try to stay out of everyone’s way to not draw attention to myself.
I wait a few feet away from the men, not wanting to listen to their conversation, but the older man notices me and stops talking.Papa turns and looks over in my direction.
“She’s a very pretty girl,” the older man says with a thick accent.It sounds like it could be from Colombia where I was shipped off to on my mission trip.
“I’m sorry to hear of your loss, but wewillmake this union happen and seal our families somehow, Juan José,” Papa remarks then turns to Jared, his righthand man.“Show our guests the farm and the set up.”Jared dutifully nods and the men follow behind him.
I wait for all the men to leave before approaching Papa.
“You wanted to see me, Papa?”I ask standing straight with my hands twined together in front of me.
“You bring disgrace to my name,” he seethes and snaps his head towards me when the guests are far enough away.“I thought you listened to my warning about staying away from that Jezebel.You’ve been fraternizing with unsavory people that could bring harm to The Fellowship.”
“Papa, I’ve been working?—”
He slashes his hand through the air, cutting me off.
“Do you find me a fool, girl?”he questions.
“No, Papa,” I declare.
“I know about the crash and bridge.I know you were in the hospital almost a week ago,” he grits.“I thought your mission trip was going to shape you into being a devoted member to The Fellowship, but your actions are proving me wrong, girl.Your wayward mother was too soft on you growing up, so if you can’t follow the rules, I’ll punish them into you.”
“Papa, I can explain,” I plead, scrambling to find the right words to get out of this.I’m so close to finding Mama and fleeing that I can taste it.
“You need to be reminded of what your place is here,” he says and waves his hand at someone behind me.
I feel strong hands lock onto my arms as I’m forced to turn around and shoved down on my knees to the dirt.I look up and see two of Papa’s men holding me down while all of Papa’s wives and other women stand several feet away.Judy is amongst them, looking so distressed.
“Hand me the switch,” I hear Papa say from behind.
“Papa, no!”I shout, knowing what he means.“Please!”
My shirt bunches in the back and then a tearing sound fills the air.My shirt rips in the back, exposing my bare skin.
