“They want her back?” I can feel V’s inquisitive gaze on the side of my face, but I keep my eyes forward.
“Of course they want her back. She’s Gabriel’s wife. Having her at his side is a symbol of power to them.” My knuckles tighten on the wheel.
“What doesshewant?”
You’d think the calm water and soft drizzle would bring about a sense of peace upon hearing that question. Instead, my insides are a turbulent storm, all choppy waves and high winds. I barely even know this woman, and yet, the idea of parting with her makes me ill. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you should ask her.”
“Thanks for the suggestion, Doc.”
V puts a hand on my shoulder. “You deserve to be happy, Maverick.”
I look over at her, eyes slitted. “Speak plainly, Vera.”
“You’ve made it your life’s work to save as many people as you can, all the while letting your own happiness fall to the wayside.”
I shake my head. “I tried with Sam. You and I both know how that ended.”
“You and Sam found each other at a time when you both needed distraction. She needed to heal from her trauma, and you needed someone to lean on.”
I shake my head. “My priority is these people. It always will be.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t find someone to share your life with.”
“What kind of life could I offer her?” I snap. “An existence of uncertainty and instability? Pretty sure she’s accustomed to fluffy bath towels and high thread-count sheets.”
“Quit being an ass,” V scolds. “If you think she’s that shallow then you haven’t been paying attention.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Doc. She’s stubborn as hell. If she wants to go back, I’m not gonna stop her.”
“Her cortisol levels were through the roof, Mav. It’s no wonder she hasn’t gotten pregnant—her body has literally been in survival mode for more than a decade.”
“Isn’t that typical of everyone we rescue from New Athens?” I grumble.
“The difference is”—V leans in and speaks low—“Delilah thinks her life is normal. She’s been in New Athens for so long, from such a young age, she doesn’t even see how the things she’s suffered are problematic. She denied any kind of abuse.”
Jesus Christ.
My throat feels tight. “What if it breaks her?”
“She’s strong. Will it be a lot to process? Of course. But we can show her what a life of freedom looks like, teach her what actually happened and how the Brotherhood rose to power.”
“And if she still wants to go back?” My jaw clenches at the idea.
V gives me a sad smile. “Then you let her go.”
Delilah
Present Day
“Only a husband is permitted to use his wife’s given name. Wives will address their husbands as ‘lord’ or ‘sir’.”—LAWS OF MARRIAGE, N.A.L. 5 § 4
My body feels heavy, the adrenaline that had flooded my system during the call with Gabriel long gone. I sit on the deck of the ferry, feeling responsible for uprooting the lives of the people here. If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have to leave. I already don’t have many friends here, and I can’t imagine this will gain me any favor.
I replay the call with Gabriel in my head. There have been times in our marriage when I’ve questioned if my husband cares for me at all. I’m not an idiot, I know he doesn’t love me the way I love him. But seeing him so…unkemptproves that he’s been affected by my absence. And he seemed genuinely relieved when I said I’m unharmed. That has to count for something, right? Regardless of how he feels or doesn’t feel, he’s my husband. I have to listen to him, and he told me to come home.
The other part of our conversation I can’t stop going over makes its way to the forefront of my mind.Gabriel and Maverick were friends.The thought alone is ridiculous. How were these two men—whose beliefs couldn’t be more opposing—everfriends? Gabriel said they were “best friends for twelve years”, but he clearly didn’t mean thelasttwelve years. So, what happened? I’m sure Maverick would tell me if I asked, but I don’t particularly want to talk to him when the entire camp can see—and probably hear—our interaction. My status here is already questioned at best and detested at worst. No need to add to that by talking to the leader of the Rebels like he owes me his time over the other more pressing matters I’m sure he’s dealing with.
