29. Killian
Itracked Millie around the small meeting room during the brief break.
As did others.
A familiar deadly calm, the sudden need for bloodshed, rose in my chest. Not that I could do anything about it. Most of the people in this room were innocent, only here hoping to strengthen their marriage, and were none the wiser about the dirty deeds that went on behind the fake mask of The Union of Blessed Souls.
A firm grip on my bicep jerked my attention away from Millie to the woman at my side. Fuck, how old was she? Platinum blonde hair, fair skin with freckles over her nose, and almost the same height as Millie, the girl didn’t look more than sixteen years old.
“What?” I barked, making her flinch. Swallowing down my annoyance at her hand on me, I forced my normal mask back in place. “Did you need something?”
Eyes wide, she gestured to the door that led out to the hallway. “There is a mandatory meeting for the leadership team, teachers, followers, and those interested in joining the church.”
With a clipped nod, I carefully extracted myself out of her light hold and strode to where Millie stood with the other wives attending the classes. Her eyes lit up as they followed me weaving through the chairs and other attendees.
How was I so damn lucky?
I didn’t allow myself to think this was an actual possibility, a life with her in it. Once we were out of the shithole cult, this assignment far behind us, we could start a life together. Where that would be, I didn’t give a fuck, as long as I was with her. If she wanted to keep her job at Harvard, I’d just tell Rhyan I needed to work remotely or maybe even transfer to the BSU team at Quantico.
We had time to figure it all out.
Together.
My fingers wrapped around the back of her neck, the possessive hold one expected of me by the leaders and teachers of this damn place. Tugging her close, I pressed my lips against her ear, feeling the eyes of the four women around us zeroing in on the small contact.
“There is a meeting in the main conference hall. Let’s go.” I deeply inhaled, allowing her soul-comforting scent to embed in my lungs before pulling back.
Using the hold, I guided her toward the door and out into the packed hallway. The noise level was higher than normal, and many faces I hadn’t seen before filled the space. Everyone moved in the same direction.
“How many people live in the compound?” I whispered under my breath. “This is a lot of fucking people.”
“Anywhere from seventy to one hundred and fifty. The main housing for members who want to live at the compound is located in the back of the property. Apartment-style setup, unlike our cushy cottage.”
I hummed, acknowledging her whispered response. This whole thing was so fucked up. I thought I had seen everything while working as an asset, but this place was just plain creepy. The bad guys pretending to be good and wholesome always made me angry and sick to my stomach.
Gary Paul preyed on those hoping for happiness in their lives, all for money.
Evil, greedy fucker.
Releasing a calming breath, I focused on the voices and whispers. Most talked excitedly about the upcoming announcement, speaking in hushed tones, guessing what it was all about.
Oh, I knew what it was about. After Gary Paul’s visit to the Cullers’ house, I had no doubt he called this mandatory meeting to tell his whole congregation, AKA cult followers, that he intended to marry Karigan the day after she turned eighteen.
Inside the large auditorium-style space, I continued forward while others darted down various rows to find an open seat. Millie tensed beneath my palm as I debated the best place to sit. I brushed calming strokes with my thumb along the column of her throat, hoping to reassure her that she was safe with me. Sitting in the front row wasn’t ideal, but we had to make sure Gary Paul saw us, so farther in the back was out.
Not that there were any available seats closer to the front. I swallowed down a surge of disgust at finding the first row filled with young women, each wearing a similar type of dress but in various colors.
What in the hell was that all about?
Movement down another aisle jerked my attention to the Simon fuck waving at me. He pointed at Millie, then gestured to a few rows behind him, where Georgiana and the other women sat, before motioning to an empty seat beside him.
“Fuck this day so hard,” I grumbled with a chin hitch and smirked at Simon. “You’ll be okay back there without me.”
Or Hunter, considering he left before class to deliver the files to an Atlanta-based agent. Charlie nor Rhyan could get here for the drop, so Rhyan called in a favor to the closest FBI office. Hopefully, everything would go smoothly, and he’d be back before anyone noticed he wasn’t with us.
“I know,” she whispered.
My heart gave a solid beat at that response. My Millie didn’t need me to hover or offer a protective bubble around her at all times. She lived ten years on her own without me. Sure, none of those years were deep inside a misogynistic cult, but still, she survived just the same on her own. With a supportive squeeze, I released my hold and gestured toward the women before stepping beside Simon and folding down into the chair he clearly saved for me.
I eyed the other men down the row, noticing they all wore similar suits to Simon’s, expensive and tailored to fit. Craning my neck, I glanced over my shoulder, seeking out Millie. She was easy to spot, the only pink-haired, bohemian-dressed woman in a sea of skirt suits. The bottom of their red-soled heels gleamed in the bright overhead light.
“Making sure she behaves?” Simon questioned, with a slight chuckle beside me. “Don’t worry. Georgiana will help keep her in line.” When I turned back around, I caught the confused look that flashed. “Where is that handler guy?”
Well, fuck.
Time to think fast.
“We had a rowdy night.” I shrugged and brushed some lint off my pants. “Apparently, I’m a little too enthusiastic, and the bastard can’t walk normally today.”
That frown deepened. “You fuck men—worse, the help?”
Whoa. Hunter should be offended that this asshole didn’t see him as a catch. Hunter was a hot guy, not as panty-melting as Charlie, but he still pulled looks from men and women wherever he went. I calmed the rage his repulsed tone stirred in my veins. But clearly, that was the wrong made-up story. I needed to redirect to pull myself out of the hole I dug.
“No. My wife likes to be watched. The bastard’s dick is rubbed raw from how much hand action it saw while he watched me fuck her.”
My stomach rolled at the interest that now gleamed in Simon’s gaze. “Oh, really? Likes being watched… interesting.” The soft chuckle that sounded as he turned to stare up at the women had my muscles stiffening. “I might have to join in. I, too, enjoy watching, though I prefer to not waste a good orgasm on my hand, if you know what I mean.”
My forced smirk stayed in place. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
“How about?—”
Before he could finish the thought, the lights dimmed above us while the ones around the main stage brightened, which was good because if he asked what I assumed he was going to, I would’ve cut out his tongue. Deafening applause erupted from those sitting around the auditorium as Pastor Paul walked onto the stage.
The bastard’s wide, all-white-teeth smile as he waved and faked graciousness by bowing to the crowd was full of malice and superiority. He no doubt got off on his adoring fans who sat here and those who watched him online, all viewing him as a god.
“Thank you so much for gathering so quickly, my beautiful followers,” Pastor Paul said, once the noise died down. “You being here, surrounding me with your light, energizes me beyond measure.” Again, he did that fake-ass half bow. “I won’t take up much of your time. I know you all are working hard to spread the light to others with the classes here and facilitating the many meetings online.” My stomach soured remembering just how far this bastard’s reach was, not only in the US but globally. “I couldn’t wait another moment to share some exciting news with all of you. After many vision-fueling sessions…” Eww. Just fucking eww. “The vision that will change the course of this church has become clear.”
Turning from the crowd, he looked offstage and extended a hand. One careful step at a time, Karigan made her way onto the stage, grasping Paul’s outstretched hand. Somehow, his smile was even wider when he turned back to the audience.
“The vision that was delivered from above showed that this beautiful woman would be my wife and bear the future heir to this church.” Whispers erupted around me, along with frantic, excited clapping. “I know what you’re thinking because I thought it, too. There is a blessed hand in this vision since Kari came to me as my ward after her parents’ death. And now she will give me the future of this church.” Punctuating the statement, he raised their combined hands high in the air. “We will stay for a while to chat with those who would like to congratulate myself and Kari on our future union. Blessings and light to all.”
The lights around the meeting space brightened above us, a signal that the announcement was done. Time to move on to our next activity or move forward to where he and Karigan stood.
“I heard the announcement doesn’t come as a surprise to you,” Simon said as we stood. “Davis mentioned this morning in a meeting that you were at his home when the pastor came by to tell him of the good news.” I nodded, not trusting myself to speak because what I really wanted to say about this fucked-up place might spill out. “Tonight, Pastor is having a small leadership gathering, a celebration of sorts for their engagement, and I was told to extend a rare invite to you and your wife.” My brows flew up my forehead. “I was surprised, too, since you’re not one of us just yet, but Pastor has faith in you.” And the fake bank account that he wants to raid, and business connections to use for his own gain. “He wants you to see how enlightening the meetings can be if you join the leadership team and move close by.”
I nodded along while going against the flow of idiots headed up front toward Karigan and Paul.
“And her handler’s current… predicament works out well since he is not on the invite list.”
My steps faltered, head whipping to glare at Simon. “Why not?”
The slow smile that spread made my fingers itch to wrap around the fucker’s throat and squeeze until I heard a distinctive snap.
“He’s not the one Pastor Paul sees as a beneficial addition, only you and, of course, your wife by proxy. See, everyone who joins must be married to a woman that others also find appealing. Her handler,” Fucker didn’t even know Hunter’s fake identity’s name, “clearly can’t afford the sizable donation required to join but also doesn’t have a female partner to bring with him.”
My nod was clipped, neck snapping with the sharp movement.
“Right,” I ground out. “Just let us know when, and we will be at the celebration.”
“I almost forgot.” He paused, hand landing on my shoulder. “Make sure your wife wears something more appropriate. Skirts are required for the women, just classier than the ones she tends to wear. If she doesn’t have anything, I’m sure Georgiana could lend her an outfit. And one more thing.” I glared at the contact before shifting it to Simon. “This is just a preview for you, the benefits of being on the leadership team. You can actively participate only after you’ve made the life-altering choice to follow Pastor Paul’s enlightened path, have taken all the classes to absorb our truths, and, of course, donated to the church. Tonight might be a little”—he smirked—“wilder than the normal leadership meetings, but you will get the idea of what we do to support Pastor Paul’s visions and enlightenment.”
Teeth clenched, I stormed through the crowd, shoving people out of my way if they didn’t veer around me on their own. Finally at the cluster of women, I grabbed Millie’s shoulder in a tight hold and spun her to face me. Those dark eyes scanned my face, brows furrowing, no doubt seeing the anger and stress there.
“Let’s go,” I hissed and pulled her away from the women. Georgiana called out to me, but I ignored her and stepped back into the wide aisle. “We need to say congratulations to the happy couple, wife.”
Millie nodded, fully understanding the amazing opportunity we were just afforded. While I spoke with Pastor Douche, hopefully, she could get Karigan aside to conduct a quick mental health evaluation and decode the lies and possible brainwashing that she’s been subject to. I relaxed a fraction at finding a large crowd around Pastor Paul while a couple of young women clustered around Karigan.
With a quick squeeze, I dropped my hold and moved toward Gary Paul while Millie weaved her way toward her target.
Good girl.
Now it was on me to keep the manipulating bastard distracted while Millie evaluated Karigan, putting us one step closer to ending this assignment and getting out of this hell hole.
And off to start our real lives. Together.