28. Ledger
Ledger
“How is she not done yet?” Anani groaned.
I could see her through the window of Clara’s Crafts, Anani sitting next to me in the car as rain poured down.
Inside the small shop, our little mate was gracing the area with her charm.
She had on these cute white jean overalls with a bright shirt and gym shoes.
It should’ve been goofy-looking, but somehow she looked stunning.
I could see paint splattering her skin as she worked with a group of little kids.
“Seeing her with kids is killing me,” I muttered.
“Right?” Anani groaned. “I can just fucking imagine her dancing around our kitchen one day with our kids.”
“Dude,” I muttered, “stop.”
“You know we haven’t had a boring day since Maya came into our life,” Anani mused, trying to be lighthearted about the recent shit show. “You think it’ll always be like this?”
I shrugged. “Maybe?”
Both of us froze as a dark truck pulled up next to us, the driver’s side door painted with a large cross. My eyes narrowed, taking note of the Louisiana license plate reflected in the shop windows. With one look to my brother, both of us were out of the car, my eyes narrowing on the driver’s seat.
Maya looked up as the two of us entered the shop, giving us an affectionate smile. “Hey guys. You’re here early.”
“Just missed you,” Anani stated as I kissed her forehead.
“Is that your husband?” a little girl chirped. “My mom just got a new husband.”
“Nice,” I muttered as the door chimed, admitting another customer.
Maya started to greet the newcomer, but before the words were completely out of her mouth, the color drained from her face. I frowned and turned to find a tall, pale man standing in the doorway, dressed in all black with a dark hat.
“Can we help you?” Clara asked, looking defensive because of Maya’s reaction.
“Maya?” the man asked, his voice thick with anger. He took off his hat, revealing white-blonde hair and blue eyes.
Maya’s eyes went massive, her breathing quickening. “Pastor Malcolm?”
Wait, what?
“Clara?” I turned to look at her. She nodded, ushering the children into the back room to protect them from whoever the fuck this was. I pulled Maya into me as Anani stepped forward, angling himself between Maya and the man.
“Who the hell are you?” my brother bit out.
“I’m her father.” He smirked. “Her father, who had no idea where she was until he turned on the television. Come on, girl. Back to Louisiana with you.”
Maya shook her head and whispered, “Mother said you were dead.”
“Your mother was a whore who took you from the safety of the church,” he hissed. “Look where you are now, child—working and with two strange men. Plastered all over Hollywood like some cheap whore.”
“They aren’t strange,” she murmured, still in a state of terrified shock. “I’m not going with you. I don’t have to anymore.”
“Like hell you don’t,” he growled.
“She’s eighteen,” I protested.
His eyes sharpened, his mouth twisting in a cruel smile that showed three gold teeth. “Do you have your birth certificate to prove that?”
She swallowed. “The mating bond kicked into place, so I know I’m eighteen.”
He froze, his jaw clenching. “You know?”
“You knew?!”
Maya angry was a scary sight. I shot off a text to Atlas and Croy nearby. Just in case.
“Of course I fucking knew,” he snarled. “You’re fundamental to our church.”
“I’m not going back,” she said determinedly, her body shaking with rage at the knowledge of his betrayal. But when he stepped forward, she let out a small, worried sound that made my brother step completely in front of her.
“Get out of my way, boy,” her father demanded.
The door chimed again, Atlas and Croy taking stock of the situation, noting Maya’s paper-white face and trembling hands.
“Who is this?” Atlas asked, inspecting the man with a dry look.
“Her father,” Malcolm snapped.
Croy let out a deep growl. “So one of the people who beat her?”
The man paled. “We had to make sure…”
“You had to make sure of nothing,” Atlas stated evenly. “You have thirty seconds to turn around and get into your car.”
Malcolm pinned his gaze on Maya. “I’m not leaving town unless you’re with me, girl, whether that is by force or willingly. Just remember that.”
Then he was gone. Maya’s body sank against mine, and she mumbled to herself as she watched him go.
“Clara?” Anani called out.
“Go ahead!” the woman called, peeking into the front and casting a worried look at Maya.
With ease, I picked her up and carried her towards the car, her head buried in my neck. Something felt terribly off, like something about his words was true. I really didn’t think he would let this go until Maya was back with him.
I wasn’t about to let that fucking happen.