Page 61 of Priest

“I promise we’ll talk later, but I need an Uber, like yesterday.”

“Okay. Can I call you back at this number after I get it?”

“No. Just do it and trust that I’ll call you as soon as I get back to my phone.”

“You ain’t got your phone? Damn. This shit is deep.”

“I know, but please, Phae. It’s a matter of life or death.”

“Bitch, I’ll come get you.”

“I wish you could, but I’m not trying to put you in jeopardy like that. Just?—”

“I got you. But hold on. Don’t hang up. I’m about to order it while we’re on the line.”

“Okay.”

My stomach was knotted with worry that I wouldn’t make it out in time. I couldn’t do shit but trust that she had me.

“Okay, it’s ordered and should be there in eleven minutes.”

“Damn, that’s a long time.”

“I know, but it is what it is, bestie.”

“Okay, I gotta go.”

“Be safe. I love you, boo.”

“Love you too.”

The Uber arrived within seven minutes instead, and I was on pin and needles the entire time that I waited. I walked out of the cabin and was partway down the road when it arrived. The Uber driver took me straight home, a place that no longer felt like home. It was built on betrayal, lies, and scandal.

When I arrived, my father had been in his office on a phone call. He was startled when he looked up and saw me, and he immediately ended the call with the person he spoke with.

“Oh my God! September, I wasn’t sure when I would see you again,” he stated.

He grabbed the crutches that were propped against his desk, rounded his desk, and grabbed me into a hug with one arm. It took him a moment to notice that I did not return the hug. He released me and stared at me as if he were trying to assess if any damage had occurred to me.

“What did that thug do to you? I swear, I will kill him if a hair on your head came to harm.”

“No, you won’t.”

My voice was tired and distant, even to my ears.

“What? I would move Heaven and Earth to protect you, sweetheart.”

I shook my head. “I once believed that, but I know that’s no longer true.”

“What are you saying, September? What lies has that bastard fed you? I’ll kill him.”

“Daddy, stop.”

“What’s wrong? Why are you behaving this way?”

“If I meant that much to you, why did you let him take me in the first place?”

“Because I saw his attraction to you the minute he laid eyes on you, September. I banked on that keeping you safe. I knew he wouldn’t harm you because men like Priest like beautiful things.”

---