Page 43 of Stranger Gifts

“No, you won’t,” said Ferdinand. “You’ve made many critical errors here. Many. You don’t have my motorcycles. That’s the number one issue I have. Those bikes were to be gifts for my men. No matter. I have placed an order for them.”

“What?” Killer frowned at the man wondering how he’d gotten away with placing an order for the bikes.

“Yes. I did it the correct way. Your other grave error is that you dared to touch children of God.”

“They’re just a bunch of virgin bitches. You’re going to break them in anyway.” Ferdinand shook his head, letting out a long sigh.

“You really should have done your homework on me. See, I was abandoned at a convent orphanage as a child. My mother, only fourteen, was raped by a guerilla fighter. The sisters raised me as their own. Treated me with kindness.

“Many years later, as I was establishing myself in business, a man dared to burn that convent down, killing many of the women who were my family. He lived to regret that choice.”

“So what? We all had rough childhoods. You sell bitches to other people. You sell drugs to other people. What the fuck does the source matter?”

“It matters a great deal,” he growled. “I will not touch women who choose to give their life to God. It may seem odd to you, but I am a man of faith and religion. I pray every day. I go to church. I give money. I help the poor. You may think we are the same, but we are not.”

There was a deafening silence in the empty lot as Killer was clearly trying to assess his options. He noticed that Frances was still staring at him, unsure of what to make of it all.

“Harry? Harry let’s just leave together,” she said.

“Are you fucking crazy? I’m not leaving with you now or ever. If I leave, I leave with the bitches in the truck.”

“No,” said the small voice behind Ferdinand’s men. “You can leave with me. But let them go.”

“Well, well, well,” he smirked. “Sister Agatha. Or should I call you something else now?”

“You and your son took my vocation from me by raping and beating me. I won’t allow my Christian name to pass over your lips.”

“So, what? I give you all these virgins and you come with me?”

“That’s the deal,” she said nodding.

“Naw. Naw, that ain’t how this works. I take all of you.”

“You missed the part where me and my men won’t allow this to happen,” said Ferdinand.

“Harry? Harry we can leave,” said Frances.

“Stop! For fuck’s sake, stop!” he screamed gripping the sides of his head. “You’re fucking crazy! I’m not going anywhere with you. I used you. Like I did thirty years ago. That’s all.”

“No,” she whispered. “You love me. That’s why you came back for me.”

“Sister Frances, he doesn’t love you or anyone. He doesn’t even love himself,” said Jenna.

“Bitch, you’re gonna die,” he growled.

“Come through me first,” said Nash. Killer scoffed, shaking his head and then noticed a few other shadowy figures.

“And me,” said Tailor.

“Don’t forget me,” smirked Alec. Then a chorus of ‘me’s was heard, Gabe, Antoine, Angel, Miller, and a dozen others showing up.

“You’re in with them?” he said staring at Ferdinand. “I’m sure your business associates would love to hear that you’re working with the very men that try to put you all away. You sure got strange friends.”

“We are in agreement on this one issue,” said Ferdinand. “You will not harm these young nuns. And, you will not live to see another day.”

“No! Don’t kill him,” said Frances stepping in front of him. Killer just laughed, pointing at her, mocking her behind her back.

“Sister Frances,” said Jenna softly, “he’s using you. He’s using your emotions against you. He was going to rape all of these women. Young, virgin novices. They are to be nuns, Sister Frances. He is not a good man. He raped you. He raped me!”

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