Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
His eyes flash, cold and calculating. “And what do you think that is?”
I don’t hesitate. I know exactly what he wants. “You want the club destroyed.”
The words hang between us, a dark truth that I can't deny.
His eyes narrow. “And why, dare I ask, do you think that?”
“Don’t play with me, Father. You and I both know they won’t stop until they destroy you and this pathetic fucking cult you have created. I promise you that.”
He doesn’t say a word, the silence hangs for so long I wonder if he will deny my truth.
“You are correct. I know they will never stop until we are all ruined. I can’t have that, so I will agree to your terms, but in return, I want information that can bring them down. Entrances. Routines. Security. Everything. If you do not give that to me, I will ensure Lily never sees the light of another day.”
His demand sends a chill up my spine, but I hold his gaze, refusing to show fear.
“You’re a monster, you know that?” I mutter. “For someone who claims to follow God, you are an insult. Letting a child suffer is far from holy, Father.”
He flashes his teeth, a threat. “Do we have a deal, or not?”
“Not until I have seen her. Not until I have seen with my own eyes that she gets food, water, bedding, and medical treatment. When I see that, we have a deal.”
“You demand a lot of me, daughter.”
“Do you want my help or not? I’m happy to let the club come in here and destroy you.”
My father tips his head to the side. “Then your child dies.”
I wave the gun. “I’m not here to play. Make the choice, or I can leave and let them do what they need. Not until I put a bullet through you, first. Of course.”
I smile.
He hesitates.
Yes. There it is.
He is uncertain.
It feels so fucking good.
“Very well, Nia. I will give you what you want. You can see the child now, and I will order her to be fully taken care of. When I have what I want, you and she will be free.”
“Swear it?” I demand. “On the Lord himself.”
His lips curl. “I swear it on the Holy Savior himself.”
A cold, hard promise, but a promise nonetheless.
“Take me to her.”
He nods.
A deal has been made.
I'M LED THROUGH THE compound, my heart pounding with each step, the gun a heavy presence in my hand. I see familiar faces, but I don't flinch. They think they know me, but they don't. Not anymore. I am determined, and I am not going to let anything get in my way. My father walks ahead, the picture of calm and control, but I see the tension in the set of his shoulders. He knows I mean business. He knows I'm serious.
I love that right now, he doesn’t know what I’ll do.
Right now, he doesn’t have the upper hand.
Nothing could make me happier.
We reach the tent where they keep the sick, and I hesitate outside, fear clawing at my insides. What if they’re too late? What if I’ve done all this for nothing? I shake the thoughts away. I can’t afford to think like that. She has to be okay, she has to be fighting like I know she can.
They push the flap open, and I step inside, my heart in my throat.
The smell of sickness and dirt hits me first, and I reel back, trying not to let it show. The tent is dim, and a few people lay in the sick bays, and then I see her. Lily. My heart breaks. She’s curled up on a thin mattress, her skin pale and her small body shaking with each breath.
"Lily," I whisper, rushing over and coming to a stop beside her, reaching out and putting my hand on her clammy cheek.
It kills me to see her like this.
I can’t help but blame myself.
Maybe I should have just come back...
Her eyes flutter open, and even in the low light, I see how hollow they are. "Nia?" she croaks.
"It’s me," I force a smile to my face, keeping the gun down by my side so she can’t see it. "I’m here. You’re going to be okay. I’ll make sure you get some medicine."
"Are you going to leave again?"
It kills me to know that my absence is causing this kind of pain.
"Listen to me, honey," I say, leaning down so only she can hear me. "I’m going to come back, and when I do, I’m going to take you from here and we are going to live in a great house together, you can go to school, make friends and we will be happy. I promise."
Her little eyes widen. "I’ll have my own room and toys?"
"Everything you could ever imagine. I just need you to be strong for me now. Keep fighting, honey. I promise you I’m going to get us out of here."