Page 50 of Priest

My heart warms at the closeness of him and his sister. It’s so sweet.

“So you have ten years on me,” I say.

His eyebrows raise in surprise. “You’re twenty-one?”

“Yep.” Something doesn't sit right with my answer; I can tell by the frown on his face, so I add, “What is it?”

He swallows hard. “You were almost married.”

My heart hammers in my chest at the mention of it. But I already told him as much. “Yes, but I was never going to go through with it.”

“But he hurt you.”

I look down at my place, my voice soft when I answer, “That’s how it is in families like mine. Your wife is second class. She answers to you. It made me mad that I had to go through with something like that, and in the end, I knew I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live like that. It’d be like being a prisoner all over again, but instead of my father as the captor, it would be my husband.” A shiver goes through me. “He wasn’t a good man. I know I could never have been happy with him.”

He stares at me for a long time, until his eyes drift away deep in thought. “I’m sorry your family are such assholes.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “I’ve made peace with it. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s what they know. My father had the same upbringing, probably worse. His father — my grandfather — wasn’t a decent man, either. He was heavy handed and his idea of discipline was with violence. It’s learned behavior. I blame my father because he should’ve known better, everyone knows right from wrong.”

It’s the most I’ve probably ever said about it, but the truth is it still hurts me. I just wanted a normal relationship, but I can never ever have that. It’s times like this that I miss my mom. Sometimes I miss her so much it hurts to think about.

“Remember, if you want to go to Texas, I’ll take you,” he says out of nowhere. “This week, I have some time now that Dan will be back.”

My heart races in my chest. Yes!

“Uh, are you sure?”

He nods. “It’s important to you that you do what you need to do, as long as you agree to come back with me so we can get you moving in the right direction. I don’t want to just leave you alone in Texas.”

“I’ll come back with you,” I say, maybe a little too eagerly. “I promise.”

“Okay then.”

I can’t help it, I suddenly fling myself at him and give him a big hug, squeezing the life out of him. “I can’t tell you what this means to me. Thank you, Priest, for everything.”

He takes a second to recover as I pull back, realizing that I almost knocked him off the stool. He looks a little bewildered, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to keep thankin’ me. I told you before, I want what’s best for you. There’re good people in the parish who can help. We can make a game plan.”

I perch back on my chair, the words tumbling out before I can stop them “Do you do this much for everyone you come across who needs help?”

His gaze moves to mine. “Are you askin’ if I’ve done this before?” He makes a circle with his finger.

I guess I do want to know how many people he’s brought to his home… how many women…

I nod.

“I don’t bring anyone to my home,” he says. “You’re different because of what happened. It’s not safe, especially if he’s been watchin’ you.”

“What if he comes here?”

He snorts. “Over my dead body will he do anythin’. Guys like him are pretty gutless, but you don’t have to worry about him.”

I bite on my thumbnail, wondering if I should bring up the things Casey told me. If I don’t, then when was he planning on saying anything? Or maybe he wasn't?I also heard his sister on speakerphone asking if he was ‘at the clubhouse.’

I know I have to stay as far away from the club as possible. The more people I come into contact with, the better. Not that any of them know me, but New Orleans is a small town. I can’t risk anyone seeing me and putting together the missing pieces.

“Casey…” I start. He turns to look at me. “She kinda let it slip that you’re part of a motorcycle club.”

His lips part as he takes in my words. “Casey has a big mouth.”

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