“Then why put me into the underground again?” I asked, my throat tight. “You know what that place did to me.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” he murmured, reaching out to trace his fingers along my lips. “I would so like to keep you.”
“You’re still crazy,” I whispered.
He chuckled softly as he cradled my face. “I am.”
“What about Cole and Enzo? Please don’t hurt them.”
“I will not harm them. I will give them a few days to think about what they want out of life. That is all.”
“Really?” The tension in my body lessened. “Why?”
“Because you asked me,” he said gently. “I owe you for being the bright spot in my rather grim childhood. Plus, my sister has kindly asked me to be on my best behavior. She can be a real pain in my ass.”
I swallowed. “So… Cole and Enzo…”
“Will be fine. They’re in very cozy rooms. Beds. Blankets. Bathroom. Food. Water. All the things they need. I will not harm them. I can show you if you’d like.”
I nodded. “Please.”
Church stood and nodded for me to follow him, so I did, drying my eyes as I went.
He stalked from the room, leading me to the elevator, where we got in and began the descent into madness.
When we reached the floor he intended, the doors swung open, and we stepped out.
Despite my hatred of the place, I had to admit he’d done a lot to it. It had fresh paint and was clean. I couldn’t hear any screams, so that was a plus.
Men who worked the underground for him bowed their heads as he passed by. He truly was royalty around here.
“How many prisoners do you have here these days?” I asked.
“Currently, we are housing one hundred and eighty-eight,” he said. “It’ll be less tomorrow. I prefer not to kill on Sundays. It’s a holy day.”
I said nothing as we walked, knowing the man was insane. It seemed unbelievable that he was Rosalie’s brother, but they looked an awful lot alike to deny it.
We stopped outside a room, and Church slid back a small peephole and gestured for me to look inside.
“No talking. Let him think,” Church said.
I decided to follow the rules and looked inside to find Enzo sleeping in bed. The room was tidy. Small. But Church had been telling the truth. It really wasn’t like the underground I remembered.
I backed away, and Church raised his brows at me.
“Satisfied?”
“I want to see Cole.”
He gestured for me to follow, and I did. We walked down the hall and rounded a corner before stopping outside another door. I checked the peephole to see a sight that broke my heart.
Cole was on his knees, praying, his lips moving and tears running down his cheeks. His room was the same as Enzo’s.
I didn’t need to hear him to know he was praying for Rosalie and Ellis. To get back to them.
I slowly backed away and stared at Church.
“You use psychological torture really well,” I said.
