She hums, and somehow, I can tell it’s in acknowledgement, not agreement. “Has your husband ever hurt you?”
My eyes scan the tent, looking anywhere but her face. “Any punishment I’ve endured has been the direct result of my misbehavior.”
“Is that a yes?”
I bring my gaze back to hers, anger flaring. “It’s none of your business.”
“You don’t have to lie, Mrs. Sinclair. We’ve received numerous reports of the abuse that takes place in marriages within the Brotherhood.”
“Abuse?” I stutter. “That’s preposterous.”
“So you’ve never endured any physiological, sexual, or physical abuse at the hands of your husband or another man?” She sounds like she already doesn’t believe me, and I haven’t even answered yet.
“I—” I swallow roughly, some less pleasant memories making their way to the forefront of my mind. “I’m not answering that.”
“Very well.” More scribbling. “Your bloodwork came back relatively normal—”
I cut her off. “You drew my blood? When?”
“When you were unconscious,” she responds calmly. “As I was saying, your bloodwork came back normal, though your iron is low and your cortisol levels are elevated.”
“Are you suggesting being kidnapped is making me stressed? Gee, who would’ve thought,” I deadpan, but she ignores me.
“Would you say you receive proper nutrition?”
“I don’t particularly care for red meat…” I trail off, remembering the countless times I’ve forced myself to finish the lamb or beef that Gabriel insisted I eat, only to throw it all up later.
“That’s okay. Poultry and fish also contain iron, as well as many vegetables and beans.”
I nod, though I’m not listening all that closely as she continues to discuss the importance of a proper diet.
“Do you exercise?” she asks.
“I take walks around our property sometimes.” Those short strolls have been my saving grace, especially when Gabriel’s gone on business trips. “The house can get lonely.”
“Walking is great.” She smiles at me. “Any strength training?”
I shake my head no. “Only men are permitted to lift weights.”
V purses her lips like she’s keeping herself from saying what she really wants to say before she snaps her notebook closed and looks up at me. “I think I have everything I need from you. You’re free to go.”
I look around. “Free to go where?”
She shrugs. “Anywhere you please. You can explore the camp or walk the shoreline, get to know the island.”
“Okay,” I say, though my feet stay firmly planted.
Another pitying smile. “Come on, let’s find you something to wear that fits a little better.”
Maverick
Present Day
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionablyintegrity."—DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Jesus Fucking Christ.
This woman doesn’t even realize how much mistreatment she’s endured. I stalk away from the tent, having listened to her and V’s conversation. Not because I’m an asshole—okay, maybe I’m a little bit of an asshole—but because we’ve never had a wife here before. The women who we’ve saved up until now have beenawareof the abuse they’ve suffered, have been completely relieved to escape New Athens.
