Long Time Coming (Mercy River Ranch #1)

Prologue

JEREMIAH

Fourteen Years Ago

It was the kind of night we planned missions around. A new moon and cloud cover that dampened the starlight but didn’t threaten immediate rain. The lake was indistinguishable from the sky in the inky darkness.

“They dump bodies here,” Uncle Hiram said. The boat seesawed as he strained against the duct tape binding his wrists behind his back.

I arched a brow even though I doubted he could see my expression in the dark. “A church elder is aware of mob activities? How does that fit in with the prophet’s revelation to shun the sinning world?”

“Las Vegas is too close to the compound to safely ignore. To protect the flock from sin, one must first know it. My sacrifice is for their benefit. The power of the priesthood protects me from going astray.”

Sanctimonious motherfucker. I should have kept him gagged. But then how would he repent of his sins?

“Your banishment did not rest lightly on my soul, Jeremiah. I hope you know that. We had always hoped you would one day repent and return to the Lord.”

My rowing did not cease. Every stroke took us further from land. “I begged you and Father on my knees for forgiveness. I swore to never commit the sin again. What more does repentance require?”

“Ah, my son.” Uncle Hiram’s voice was full of sorrow. “The Lord told us you were of impure heart and must be banished. I wept and begged for you to be spared, but His answer was unyielding. You are a son of perdition.”

Hypocritical motherfucker. I snorted. “How convenient.”

The prophet’s revelation that men must have multiple wives to reach the highest kingdom of Heaven had not taken into account that the birthrate hadn’t changed across civilizations since the beginning of time—at least, not without human intervention.

With every man being promised three wives, there weren’t enough women to go around.

“Is that what this is?” Hiram asked. “A soul for a soul?”

I didn’t answer. My soul wasn’t worth the cost, but Hannah’s was.

“How is my wife?” Hiram asked gently.

Suicidal motherfucker. I squeezed the oars to keep from strangling him then and there. “My sister is none of your business.” Fourteen fucking years old.

“Our marriage was sealed for all eternity before God and the prophet. That is a bond no man can break. Not even you, Jeremiah.”

“Then I will leave it in God’s hands.”

We were here. I pulled in the oars, laid them under the seats, and dragged Hiram to his feet.

“This is murder!” he shouted.

“This is a choice,” I corrected. “The FBI has been trying to build its case for years. Turn yourself in. Confess your sins. Accept the consequences.”

Our faces were close enough together that I could see his lip curl in a sneer. “And if I don’t?”

I spun him in front of me, with his back to my chest, and he faced the vast nothingness before us. Water slapped against the boat.

Hiram sucked in a breath. “I can’t swim. You would murder an innocent man with his hands tied behind his back?”

“No.” I flicked open my blade and sliced through his bonds. “But I would tell a guilty man to take a swim.”

His scream pierced the silent air as I tossed him overboard. Droplets of cold lake water sprayed my face and torso. I squinted into the darkness. He had landed a few feet from the boat.

“Help me!” He slapped the water futilely, spluttering, and went under. A moment later he bobbed to the surface again, choking. “Help me!”

I didn’t move as he sank again. He strained to get his face above the water, gasping, and propelled himself closer to the boat. I grabbed the back of his shirt and hauled him to the side. He clung to the edge, coughing.

I squatted down so we were face to face. “Make your choice, Hiram.”

“You offer me prison or eternity with my Heavenly Father?” A coughing fit shook his body. “I serve the will of God. I denounce you as a vessel of Satan. Repent, Jeremiah, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. It is not too late.”

I stood.

“Your soul will burn in hellfire for this!” Hiram shouted. It was the first time I heard true fear in his voice.

“I’m already damned, remember? I’ll see you in hell.”

I slammed my heel down on his fingers.