Page 64 of Echoes of Fear

“And then to consummate the marriage,” he says grimly. “The land is yours if you will get this poor girl out of here. Make her disappear.”

It appears that Taylor has had about all the silence he can take. He lifts me from my chair, sits, and places me on his lap.

Well, okay then.

“Who the hell is that?” Donavan barks.

“Hi, pretty girl,” Taylor says, ignoring Donavan’s outburst. “My name is Taylor, and I’m going to get you out of there and somewhere safe. But, right now, can you do me a favor and cover your ears and sing your favorite song? It sounds really cool when we sing with our ears covered. Want to give it a try?”

It takes her a few moments to cover her ears, and she starts to sing softly.

“Listen here,” Taylor growls quietly. “If something happens to my boy because you got him involved in a damn cult, there won’t be a single place you go where I won’t find you. Your death will be slow and painful if so much as a single hair on his head is displaced. Do I make myself clear?”

“No one needs to get hurt,” Donavan says. “I just need DeeDee to vanish.”

“What about the other kids? Won’t you be required to take a different wife?” Bobby asks.

“No. I don’t even know where that rumor came from. But when the entire group teamed up against me, I had no choice. There are only three more children, and they are all boys. We’re not a violent cult, Mr. Mayor. Our kids are treated with kindness.”

“That was pretty cool,” DeeDee smiles as she uncovers her ears.

“Do you want us to come and get you?” Taylor asks, not beating around the bush.

“They told me all about sex,” she says bluntly. “The ladies made me watch videos, and I had to take a test so they knew I understood what I had to do for my husband.”

My stomach twists at her words.

“My friend and I are going to come get you today and take you someplace safe,” Taylor tells her. “I need you to try and memorize my face because when I get there I’m going to have to take you out of there in a hurry.”

Taylor messes with his phone and pulls up a picture of King.

“This is my friend, King,” he tells her. “Try and memorize his face as well. We are going to be the only two to come and get you. So, if it’s not one of us who takes you away, I need you to fight and scream. Understand?”

With her nod, Taylor leans forward and holds me tightly against his body.

“Where?” is all he asks.

“Harmony Heights,” he answers. “There’s a meditation class that everyone is required to attend in three hours. No exceptions. DeeDee will be skipping it to prepare for her wedding. There will be no electricity, no cameras, no guards, no guns. We’re seeking divine intervention, after all. The only phone is the one I’m currently using for this meeting. DeeDee will make her way outside to the front door as soon as everyone is meditating. It should be simple. And, Mr. Mayor, I’ll have both sides of the deed signed over to you, and it will be in DeeDee’s pocket.”

“I don’t care about the damn land,” Bobby gasps. “Just get her out of there.”

“Either way, it’s yours. Three hours.”

The call ends, and it’s just us and Bobby.

I lay my head against Taylor’s shoulder and moan.

“Cartels and Cults. What has my life become?”

“No more talking to cult members, Knox,” he growls. “And you,” he says, pointing at my friend. “I don’t want you involved either. Stay off of video chats unless it’s with Knox until I give the all clear.”

“You do know that I’m your mayor, right?” Bobby says.

Taylor looks at him and doesn’t say a word.

“Fine,” Bobby whines. “But, let it be known that I do so with protest.”

“Noted.”

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