Page 49 of Unholy

Placing my glass back down on my desk, I lean forward, bracing my arms before me and clasping my hands and resting my head on them as I blow out a deep sigh, “Elijah found more than just Dalton. And I don’t want you to see what I have, but I also don’t want to keep things from you either. It’s graphic and incredibly disturbing.” The room is silent following my statement, and I wait for her decision.

I must be so lost in my head that I don’t hear her approaching because I feel her touch on my hand first.

“Show me.”

Lifting my head up, I reach for my phone, click on the photos, then slide the device toward her. Rylee reaches up, her fingerswipes the screen one after another, and I watch her face to try to gauge a reaction, but it remains stone, unreadable. She nods a couple times to herself, then slides the phone back to me. The photo she finished on was the Rain look-alike.

“It’s like how we found Cecilia in the warehouse. He left them upside down to die. The last photo, she likely went quickly. The added pressure to the lungs and lack of oxygen to the brain would have caused her to hemorrhage rather quickly into the torture.” I pause, allowing her to absorb it all before continuing. “The others likely took longer and were far more painful. And unless the families request autopsies, I won’t be able to answer anything about the baby. I’m sorry.”

Karma is cuddled close under Rylee’s chin, comforting her mama. “Do you think he knew about me being his half-sister?”

I lean back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling, truly at a loss for words. “I really don’t know. He may have, or you were there by association to Greta and myself. When Elijah found Dalton, his own guys had given him up, left him drugged, and laid out on his bed to take.”

“Well, let’s go. Take me with you; you're obviously going to see him and ‘fix’ things, and I have questions before that happens.”

Raising my brows, I’m pleasantly surprised that she wants to witness what’s to come. “We will do more than talking. But I can give you a minute to ask what you need.”

Tapping her nails against the desk impatiently, Rylee snarls, “Let’s go then.”

Clasping my hands together, I smile sadistically, “It’s a good day to die, isn’t it, Puppet?” Rylee winks. “That it is, Mr. Sinclair.” My cock hardens as the R rolls off her tongue.

This girl owns me.

The sun has escapedover the mountain peaks and is now shining brightly upon us. I called Rain before leaving; she and Greta were already on their way to Elijah, and she had informed me that they had seen the disturbing photographs. Greta was adamant that more people were helping Dalton than we suspected, more so after D and I declared our loyalty to the Antichrist, turning our backs on our brothers and sisters in The Exiled. And I believe she is right, he couldn’t have done this alone, the boy is as dumb as they come. A mutiny was planned to get rid of Brad, then they would move on to us. It is the only plausible explanation.

“How will we get the names of everyone who aided Dalton?” Rylee inquires from my passenger seat.

“We have been gathering information since Cecilia was taken. We have some data, but I fear the pool is bigger than we originally thought. Hopefully after this morning more will come out,” I vaguely respond. This is a game of chess, Puppet. I can’t reveal all my moves before they have been made. Tapping the wheel with my fingers, I can feel her watching me. “What are you up to, Nathaniel Sinclair?”

“What’s that old saying... Oh yes, curiosity killed the cat. And we can’t have that now, can we?” I volley back. And just as I get the last word out, she is already slapping my arm and snarling at me.

“You leave Karma out of this.” Which makes me chuckle.

“I would never harm her.” I act taken aback by her accusation, causing her to roll her eyes at me.

It’s been years since I have felt this light. Everything with her is so easy—the banter, the sex, and the need to protect andgive her anything she's ever wanted. One look and it's hers. That’s all it takes. But I know it’s more than things or stuff for her because she kissed me. That kiss was the most significant piece of affection I have had in all my years on this earth. It changed everything and gave me permission and validation that everything I have felt thus far with her was and is real. Even though she tried to fight it and still does, her walls are slowly coming down and I will prove to her every day that it’s okay to let me in.

Pulling into town, the streets are empty as the major headline is already rocking folks to their core. Word is out about the bodies found at Dalton's, and we may have nudged the paper to put it on the front page. We may also be their source, exposing The Exiled further and turning the town against them.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Looking at the time, I know it’s now online.

“Check your phone,” I tell Rylee, giving her an easter egg to the information she so desperately craves.

Her thumb scrolls quickly, then stops.

“Local biker gang was framed for the execution of our beloved chief of police weeks ago. It has now been revealed via our source that it was in fact The Exiled who acted outside of their Hell Fire Night ritual. The organized crime group has since had a massive change at their table where many former leaders have been removed or killed. The new Exiled now go by a new slogan of, ‘New World Order’,” she reads slowly in disbelief, but I don’t elaborate.

“Oh my God.” A gasp leaves her as she continues to read the article. “…Bodies have been found at the new King’s estate, thanks to an anonymous tip that called in. It is being described as multiple bodies hung and exposed and nailed to the wall in what appeared to be an upside-down crucifix. It is also reported that all dead were alive at the time of the crucifixion andultimately died due to lack of oxygen to the brain, resulting in a brain hemorrhage.

Allegedly this is a message to anyone who stands against them, and perpetrators remain at large. Do not leave your homes; it is not safe for civilians while the offenders are roaming free. The Ranch fire is also believed to be linked to the new leadership within The Exiled. The group's stance on female empowerment and the strong dislike toward its owner, Greta Vandenberg, who advocates for equal rights, inclusivity, and feminists, is what fueled the arson.” I see her head shaking from the corner of my eye. I know Greta being an activist is pretty far-fetched, but believable in the grand scheme of things.

“D knew once I sent those photographs what to do. We are the source. We are the ones alleging. We are killing The Exiled from the inside out. I always keep my promises,” I divulge. “A crew went in and began to identify the bodies. We are working with the morgue and families of the deceased to cover funeral costs. And we may have planted a few items for the police to find to better support our stance.”

Her mouth is agape in shock.

“Puppet, close your mouth, now is not the time to want to choke on my cock. We have a King to kill.”

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