Page 15 of Sinful Secrets

“She was moved to a different community when I was seven. I don’t know where she is. Father says she is doing God’s work elsewhere.” I shrug.

Khan crouches down in front of me and takes my hand in his. “I am fucking promising you now, I will find your mother. We will find her,” he promises.

I nod and smile, that warm feeling in my chest again.

Chapter Nine

Talitha

Khan kept his promise, and the next day it was like the entire club turned up. Well, the women did anyway. They all walked in with bags and bags of things, hugging me in greeting. I felt a little overwhelmed.

Khan walks up to me and pulls me into his arms, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on my lips. I swear I stop breathing, that warm feeling invading my chest again, and this time my stomach feeling like its floating.

“I have to leave for a while, but they will take good care of you, I promise,” he states softly before letting me go and walking out of the cabin. I stay stood there, unmoving, watching him leave, feeling things… I don’t know what they are or how to handle them.

“Well, I never thought I would see the day that Khan would fall. And boy has he fallen hard,” a woman stood next to me says, placing her arm around me, squeezing my shoulder. “I'm Trudy, honey, Rip’s mamma. My old man is Wheels. Now, let’s get you baking and whilst we do, you can tell us all about what has been going down between you and that boy,” she says, smiling. I don’t get a chance to answer her as she steers me towards the kitchen. “Okay, so you’ve met Rose.” She points to Rose and she gives me a nod. “Then there is Patty, Lily, Daisy and Riley.” She points to each. I've met them all before when doing their treatments, but never actually spoken to them properly.

“Hi,” I greet nervously.

“Right, lets bake this cake. Chocolate cake good for you?” Trudy asks.

I nod, excited. “Yes, I have never had chocolate cake before!” Everyone freezes and looks to me. “What?” I ask.

“Sit your ass down now, I am about to give you orgasms in your mouth,” Patty orders. She walks over with a little chocolate mini cake. “Eat this.” I take it from her hand and put it in my mouth.

“Oh my.” I moan, and they all smile and nod in agreement as I swallow the cake. “That was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. And we can make a cake taste like that?” I ask.

“Yes, now let get baking in this tiny kitchen.” Lily claps.

I have never laughed and smiled so much in all my life. I never knew life could be this fun, this carefree. Never have I experienced this before. I pause for a moment feeling sad, but more so, I feel angry.

“What's the matter, Talitha?” Daisy asks.

“I have never had this,” I say quietly.

“We know, that’s why we are here to help you bake a cake.” Rose smiles.

“No, I have never had this, the smiling, the laughter, the carefree fun. My whole life has been rules and boundaries. We are not allowed to be carefree, we are not allowed to laugh, to sing or dance!” I yell. “We are not allowed to do anything; do you know I heard music for the first time the other night… Music…. Not Brother Jerimiah on his guitar, but actual music. I danced for the first time too. Danced! I am starting to feel that my community, my entire life has been nothing but a lie and nothing but a prison,” I rant. Tears fall, the weight of the reality lifting from my shoulders. “You all have shown me nothing but kindness, been nothing but caring towards me. My father… My own father stood by while people gave me lashings with a belt, the people that I am supposed to respect and follow did those things to me!” I screech.

“Honey, you need to calm down,” Trudy tries to comfort, but I don’t stop, all of it building up inside, needing to pour out of me.

“I was made to sit in a cell for two days straight with no food or water when I was nine years old because I took another bread roll because I was hungry. I WAS NINE! I was made to serve the brothers, that was my duty, my soul purpose in life. I have never been hugged; I have never been loved. I only know what love is from reading that book you gave me, Rose! I have only ever been told that God loves me, that Father Isiah loves me.” I stop, my chest heaving. Trudy moves to me and wraps her arms around me, rubbing my back soothingly.

“Shh, we got you now. We will help you every step of the way, we will love you and we promise you will have a proper family from here on out.” I feel more arms come around me, and soon, they are all hugging me.

“I swear, if any of you tell Rip about this lovey dovey hugging shit, I will hunt you down,” Rose gripes.

They all laugh. “Now, come on, this cake needs decorating and then you need to tell us all about Khan.” Trudy smiles.

I wipe my eyes and feel the blush hit my cheeks at the mention of Khan. “Ah, we are going to need tequila for this!” Rose sings.

“God, no! Leave the tequila out of this, don’t scare the girl. Plus, we have a cake to decorate,” Lily argues back.

We finish decorating the cake, placing it in the fridge so it doesn’t melt from the heat. They make pitchers of margaritas; Lily gave up fighting when the temperature got ridiculously hot. We sit outside, under the shade of the trees, all in tiny shorts and tank tops, trying to cool off. And I have to say, I'm very much enjoying the margaritas.

“So come, Talitha, tell us about Khan. Has he made a play for you yet?” Patty asks.

“A play?” I ask.

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