Page 67 of Chasing Lynda

Becoming pure as a reflection of my pure soul.

I nod at Greggs. That’s why he was Harold’s right arm. He’s brilliant. “That’s the way forward and it actually fits with the plan I had in mind.” I look at the young Kirk with a smile. “Vincent, you’ll be greatly rewarded for your help. You’re twice the cop your old man will ever be. Expect a seat on the elder’s council and in the inner circle of the new Bridgeport Church. You play your cards right, I don’t see why you couldn’t become my deputy.”

Having his son on a higher tier of purity will be punishment enough for Sheriff Kirk, I think with a smile.

“Now please leave. I need time alone with my grief. I need the Light to show me the way forward after this great loss.”

I walk them out of my office. My heart is heavy with the weight of loss. My Lynda is gone.

How am I going to guide my followers toward the Light when all I have inside me right now is darkness?

How am I going to show them how to become new, to rebuild themselves from the ashes of their old selves when all I want to do right now is destroy?

There’s no light without darkness, no purity without sin. Harold was right. I know just what I need to do.

***

Lynda

––––––––

THE MORNING AFTER THE fire

“We’re home.” Carter’s soft, low voice shakes me completely awake. I wasn’t totally asleep, but the eventful night definitely caught up with me; and being sandwiched between Carter and Zane in the backseat of Bennett’s Jeep proved too warm and comfortable to stay awake.

I had my head on Carter’s shoulder and his arm was wrapped around me; he smiles when I discreetly check that I didn’t drool on his dark blue t-shirt because that would be beyond embarrassing.

When I’ve finally pulled myself together enough to look ahead of me, my jaw almost drops.

My parents had a nice house, especially once the church expanded and we moved from Texas to California.

Ausra had a big house too but both our places pale in comparison to Ashton’s mansion.

Dodge’s house? It feels wrong to call it a house or even a mansion. Palace seems a more fitting description for the huge building perched on a hill dominating a sprawling estate.

I look at it as Bennett drives past the tall, wrought iron gate that protects the property. The driveway is long, a proper private road, giving me the chance to take in all the opulence in front of me.

I catch Dodge’s gaze in the rearview mirror and he shrugs, with a nonchalant smile. “My parents are pretentious, just so you know. But my dad dragged Mom to a party convention in Sacramento this weekend, so we have the house to ourselves. Not that they would notice even if they were home.”

Carter chuckles at Dodge’s remark. “Yeah, the place is so huge that I still get lost from time to time and I’ve been spending a lot of time here since before I could even walk.”

Bennett barks out a laugh as he slows down and comes to a stop not far from the imposing entrance. “Not that that means much, Car. You could get lost in a four-by-four foot square room. No wonder during your brief stint with the boy-scouts, your nickname was GPS.” He stops the car and turns to look at us. “He got lost walking back to our tents from the campsite toilets. Our leader found him crying around the corner from us while trying to use the GPS in his phone to get his bearings.”

Carter flips him off, but he’s laughing too. “Fuck you, Ben! It was a new place; it was dark and I left my campsite map in our tent. I got turned around.” He then looks at me and he’s blushing; he looks absolutely adorable. “That was over fifteen years ago, I’m not that bad now.”

I return his smile, feeling suddenly nervous. “I wouldn’t blame you even if you really got lost in here. This place is absolutely huge.”

Zane agrees. “Totally. Dodge’s mom gives guests mini maps when she has a party or a social gathering. Especially when it’s some kind of political event. She gets a kick out of the face her guests make when they’re presented with the map. See how the entire building is white? It’s known in the area as ‘Bridgeport’s White House.’ Dodge’s dad is the town mayor and everyone calls the Butten family, the Bridgeport’s Kennedys.”

Dodge looks uncomfortable. “Guys, cut it out.” He gets out of the car and walks to our door, waiting for me to get out. “My parents are fucking pretentious unfortunately. I want nothing to do with their high society bullshit.”

We look at each other for a long moment. “I know what you mean. My parents aren’t as well off as yours, but they’re just like you described. They judge people for their net worth way more than they should.”

He guides me toward the front door with a gentle hand on the small of my back.

I hesitate to follow, dragging my feet until he stops. “What’s wrong, sexy girl? Seriously, Mommy and Daddy Dearest aren’t home. And even if they were, you’re my guest.”

That’s part of the problem. “Are you sure you want me staying with you guys for the entire weekend? I know you have more than enough problems without having to cater to me, I—”

---