Chapter Nineteen
Brit
“How did you get out?” Audrey offered me a mug of coffee and positioned herself opposite me.
The woman who had answered the door sat nearby, writing my story on a piece of paper.
I had explained that I was the daughter of a cult leader, but I wasn't comfortable about going into too much detail yet.
Audrey had assured me that I was safe and that she had her story written down for the right time.
When I'd asked her the right time for what, she'd mentioned the police. She's claimed that Chad had too many friends in the local police department that would instantly get our report thrown out. We had to build a big in your face case.
“I ran away.” Inhaling slowly through my nose to calm myself, I swallowed. “Through the woods at the back of the property. They almost caught me but I managed to hitch a ride with a hiker.”
“Well done, child!” Audrey leaned over and squeezed my free hand. “You’ve done so well considering the danger.”
“What made you leave?” I sipped the hot drink, watching as she almost folded in on herself.
Her eyes closed and she shook her head. “When my husband said that he'd approached Chad about a second wife for himself since he only had one son, I was done. I wanted my children to come with me, but they were both so brainwashed, they agreed with their father.”
“I had no idea that was happening in the compound.” I placed a hand on my stomach to try and stem the churning.
Chad was a sick and twisted man who needed a wakeup call. He had to be exposed to those outside of the compound. But how? I didn't have the power, or evidence, to bring him down.
“When we first joined, oh many years ago now, we were devoted and loved the idea that our children could be cleansed and live a fruitful life.” She sniffled and dabbed her nose with a tissue.
“However, when my husband relayed the ritual to me, I immediately had doubts.
He'd told me because he loved me and wanted me to be included with everything, even though I couldn't witness these events.”
“I saw one for the first time recently too,” I muttered, shuddering. “The poor woman was humiliated and violated. I never knew. If I had I would've… I…”
A sob choked my throat and Audrey put a hand on my knee. “Oh, dear, if we had no chance fighting it, you had even less. You were so indoctrinated and lied to, you had no idea what was really happening behind closed doors.”
Shivering at the enormity of Chad's enterprise, I squeezed her hand back, grateful to have someone, especially a female, who could relate.
“I have to get my family out,” Audrey said, wiping the corner of her eyes. “No matter how long it takes, I won't have my daughter or my granddaughter treated that way, for men's enjoyment only. I just wish I could turn back the clock and never enter that place. I have so many regrets”
Tears shone in her eyes and I understood the depth of her pain. I might not have ever had to endure a ceremony or be forced to marry, but I had been an unwitting accomplice, every single time.
A loud banging sounded in the distance and we all jumped up, heading straight for the door. Audrey turned as she reached it, holding up a hand to stop me.
“You better stay here, in case it's your father. We have security on site and they'll be heading straight to the front door now.” She smiled kindly. “I promise we'll keep you safe.”
My hands shook as she pulled the door closed behind her and I stared at the white paint on the wall.
How could I just sit back and wait for him to hurt others?
If Chad had found me already, I was doomed.
I had to get away. Except, if I ran, he might hurt those who had rushed to my defense.
No, I couldn't leave them. In fact, I needed to help them.
Looking around at the communal room, I went to the kitchen corner, opening the drawers until I found a sharp knife. I would defend those who were fighting on my behalf, even if it meant risking capture by my father again.
Shifting myself towards the door, I cracked it open and listened. There were raised voices coming from the lobby area, some heated and some consoling. I tried to hear what they were saying, but I was just slightly too far away.
I readied myself and burst into the hallway, striding towards the lobby area with my knife held up in defense mode. I was about to barrel into the space, a war cry coming from my lips, when I heard Fly's voice.
“She's in danger,” he said, “We need to see her.”
“How do you even know her now?” Audrey said. “Ant, talk to me, I'm your aunt.”
“Aunt?” he spat, his voice barely audible.
I crept forward and poked my head around to watch what was happening.
Two security guards were flanking Fly and Ant, their hands on their weapons in their holsters.
They were taking no chances, which was reassuring considering who was inside the building.
Several women were down the other hallway, sticking their heads out of their doors to see what the commotion was about.
Another older woman was telling them to go back to their rooms. Shit, I had to put a stop to the noise right away, it could scare the residents.
Emerging from my hiding place, I strode to stand beside Audrey. “What's going on?”
Audrey had been pleading with Ant, but my focus was on Fly. My heart was skipping, my skin slick with perspiration. His handsome face was tense, his jaw clenched. Something bothered him, despite the way he'd left me.
“This.” He held up the brown envelope I'd stolen from my father's office. “You're in danger.”
Hugging myself, I nodded. Audrey touched my shoulder and reached for my hand, shocking me when she took the knife. I'd completely forgotten I even had it when I'd seen Fly.
She gave the knife to a security guard and waved him away, assuring him that everything was fine and there was no threat. The others backed down, moving a bit of distance away to let us speak.
Ant spoke heatedly to Audrey under his breath while I just stared at the man who had saved me.
“Well?” Fly said, his voice tight. “Why didn't you tell me about this manifesto? He was planning to kill you, even when you lived there.”
Closing my eyes, I hugged myself tighter and fought back the tears. I refused to allow that man to affect my emotions any longer. I would never waste a tear on him again.
“I didn't exactly have a chance to tell you,” I said, “We were too busy trying to escape. I found it in the office, just after you got pissed at me for what happened with Melody. I didn't exactly want to share that information when you told me you didn't give a shit about me.”
Shuffling on his feet, Fly ran a hand over his face. “Well, I came and got you when I left, didn't I? I almost didn't.”
“Really?” I blurted, frowning. “There was a part of you who would've left me there?”
Shrugging, he looked me directly in the eyes. “In my mind, it would've been easier to just leave you behind, so I didn't have to worry about you anymore.”
“Doesn't sound like you worried much then, either.”
Turning from him, I scoffed, disgusted at his confession. He stepped in front of me, holding up a hand to stop me. He knew this place and understood that aggression against women would never be tolerated. He was smart, maybe too smart.
“I don't want to fight, especially here,” he said gently. “Please come back with me? Let me protect you like I promised I would.”
Tilting my head to the side, I Ieveled a calm stare at him. “I don't need your protection anymore, I'm safe here.”
He glanced around, his gaze landing on Audrey, who wrung her hands together. “My dear,” she started, coming over to me and taking my hands. “I had no idea that your father-”
“Chad,” I interrupted her. “He's not my father.”
Smiling sadly, she nodded once. “Fine. He's a danger to you out here. It was bad enough that he planned to…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “…kill you.. in there. Out here? There's a risk to all of us.”
My chest squeezed as I grasped what she was saying. If I stayed at the refuge, the other women could become targets of Chad's wrath, especially now I had humiliated him by escaping with Fly. However, hearing Audrey send me away broke my heart, just a little.
“I know my nephew and his friends will keep you safe,” she said, grabbing me to her in a hug. “And if they dare to hurt you, they'll have to face me.”
“I would never hurt her,” Fly snapped. “I had the chance, and I never did.”
Audrey glared at Fly, her protective streak clearly taking over. “We need her to stay safe until we can take him down.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Ant scowled at his aunt, clearly still not over whatever had happened between them.
Releasing me, Audrey patted my arms and turned to him. “Between us, we can build the biggest case against him before going to the police. I have a lawyer and several professionals ready to help.”
“Or,” Fly said, his voice low so the other people, who were still hovering, couldn't hear. “We could just sneak into the compound and kill him ourselves. Take him down from the inside out.”
I wrung my hands together and nodded, more inclined to agree with Fly, despite it being really dangerous and totally against normal human nature. I knew though, that those boys would do it. They'd been through hell and back and they were determined to stop Chad once and for all.
“I don't think so,” Audrey tutted and rolled her eyes. “Just leave most of it to me. Your mission is to keep this girl safe.”
Fly's gaze was glued to mine as he nodded, agreeing with Audrey. Except, we spoke to one another with our eyes, and I knew, deep down, that I was agreeing to his plan instead of hers. I was ready to get blood on my hands. Chad had to die.