Page 39 of Devil Within

She knew what that meant. Just like she knew she probably wouldn’t survive it. If by some miracle she did, then her soul would be redeemed and she’d be able to be a fully functioning member of the Sect. And, apparently, forced to be her stepfather’s second bride. She glanced at Jade, who watched her with narrowed eyes. Blood coated his shirt from a wound she couldn’t see. He shook his head at her, but right now they didn’t have any option. They were outnumbered, and she couldn’t take the chance Lawrence wouldn’t kill Jade.

“Well?” Lawrence demanded.

“I agree,” she whispered.

“Very well,” Lawrence said. Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. He clicked his fingers, and they dragged Jade toward the van.”

“You said you’d let him go!” she yelled.

“And I will,” Lawrence replied. “Right now, he’s collateral for your obedience.”

All she could do was watch Jade be forced into the van, and then the side door shut and they took off. Lawrence grabbed her arm, squeezed until she winced, then dragged her to the car.

****

It took them eight hours to make it back to the compound. Lawrence had refused to stop for a bathroom break, so by the time they made it, she had to pee badly. Her mother waited on the porch and stared at her without any emotion whatsoever. Shiloh didn’t greet her as she marched into the communal house and headed directly to the bathroom.

After relieving her bladder and washing her hands, she stared at her reflection for a moment. She’d been happy in Cheyenne. Had finally found her forever home and a new family. Now, she’d never see it again. Lawrence wouldn’t allow her to leave, and he guaranteed that by holding Jade hostage.

When she left the bathroom, several cult members were there to greet her. She ignored them. Women were nothing but cattle, and she despised all of them. They led her through the house to the back deck where Lawrence waited. Her mother stood behind him, like she always did. Subservient in everything her husband did.

“I’m here,” Shiloh told Lawrence. “Let Jade go.”

He cocked his head. “He stays.”

“If he stays, I won’t do the penance by my own free will. How will you spin that to your brain-dead worshipers?”

She was happy to see a flash of annoyance in his beady eyes.

“Very well,” Lawrence snapped. “In fact, I’ll even allow you to say good-bye, then I’ll have Brother Malicai drive him back to Wyoming.”

“I want proof he survived,” she persisted.

Irritation curled his lip. “Of course.”

He curled his finger in a follow-me motion. Shiloh trailed after him, knowing this was it. The last time she’d see Jade. Stare into his beautiful green eyes and taste his lips. Was she strong enough to do this? The broken shards that had been slowly mending together were shattering once again, and she couldn’t understand how the world could go on.

How could time keep marching forward when all she wanted was for it to stop? She wished she could close her eyes and be back in Cheyenne. With Jade. With Vette and Kira. With the whole club. They might be dangerous men, but there were lines they wouldn’t cross. Ethics that her stepfather lacked.

Gathering her courage, she paused at the shed where Jade was tied up and bleeding from the gunshot. Lawrence gave her a warning look and then unlocked it before stepping back. Shiloh took a deep breath before entering. Jade rested on his knees, zip ties constraining his wrists. His head hung down. Blood coated the sides of his mouth where the rope cut into the tender flesh. Blood also ran from the bullet wound in his upper right arm. He looked weak and in pain, but as he lifted his head, his gaze took all of her in with one glance, then flickered over her shoulder. The door slammed behind her, and he shifted his gaze back to her.

She ran forward and quickly removed the rope.

“What’s happening?” he rasped.

She could hear the pain in his voice.

“You’re to be driven back to Wyoming,” she answered, swallowing down the lump in her throat. “You’re going home.”

“And you’re coming with me, Shiloh.”

She didn’t respond because her chin began to quiver.

“I’m not leaving you here!” he barked, causing her to jump. “This is the twenty-first God-damned century, and you’re an adult. You’re coming with me.”

How could she make him understand?

“Lawrence can make you have an accident,” she whispered.