Page 70 of Tusk's Fury

Her eyes go big, and she glances over her shoulder at the door before asking, “Are you serious?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what happened. Look, we have got to get outta here, Cassandra. You never wanted this life either. Remember how you used to complain about it?”

Her hands fly up to cover my mouth. “Lower your voice. I’m married with two kids. I can’t afford to be punished.”

My face scrunches up into a confused expression. I pull her hands away and whisper, “Are you saying that you’re happy here and you want to stay?”

“No. Of course not. But I married better than most. My father set me up with Marcus Kincade.”

A smile spreads onto my face. “I remember he was considered the most eligible bachelor back in the day.”

She looks a little embarrassed. “He’s handsome, polite, and treats me really well.”

I shoot her a knowing grin. “You fell in love with the hottie.”

Her face turns pink. “Yeah, we fell in love with each other. Neither of us wants to be here, but we don’t have the money, resources, or job skills to get out.”

I don’t tell her about Tusk or his club because I don’t want to get her hopes up in case no one comes for me. I just grab her hands and tell her, “I have a life I’m desperate to get back to. We’ll have to brainstorm our way out of this situation.”

“I’ve been trying to do that for years. But right now, we need to focus on not making Bishop Harper any angrier than he is already. He kind of runs things around here, and he’s used to all of us doing what he says.”

“I’ll bet he is. I can’t believe they gave him a congregation.”

“Most people around here say he’s a good shepherd to his flock.”

I pull the blanket back and swing my legs over the side of the bed. “Yeah, well, I’m not terribly impressed with the man who had me abducted.”

She looks uncomfortable for a second before saying, “He might grow on you if you give him a chance.”

I snap my fingers in front of her face. “Wake up, girl. I am not going to marry Silas Harper.”

She grabs my arm and tugs. “They will lock you in the cupboard for not calling him Bishop Harper.”

“Jesus, I forgot that was even a thing.”

She shakes her head. “You just took the Lord’s name in vain. If you plan to escape scourging around this place, you’re going to have to remember the rules.”

I suck in a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re right. But I want you to know that if anyone tries to give me lashes, I’ll probably scratch his eyes out.”

She rolls her eyes. “So nothing much has changed with you in six years. You’re still as defiant as you ever were.”

“I’ve had to be defiant to survive in the outside world.” I run my hand over my cut and remember that I’m special to someone, respected, and loved.

Cassandra’s eyes glance down as she watches me caress my property cut. She tells me quietly, “That leather vest has to go. Leather is forbidden.”

Sliding it off, I tell her, “I know.” Taking a minute, I fold it up neatly and slide it into my pillowcase. When Cassandra’s expression turns bewildered, I let her know, “That vest was a gift from someone very special to me. I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

“Alright. Hide it away. I won’t say anything.”

I don’t know if I can really trust her, but I think I can. My heart will hurt if, when it comes down to it, I find out she’s a plant—one of Silas’ faithful. I decide to do what’s expected of me while I try to figure a way out of this mess. I have to trust someone. So, I’ll keep talking to Cassandra and try to get a feel for how genuine her desire to leave the church is.

It feels weird to be waited on by someone I considered a friend. We played together as children, grew up together, and did all our sect’s weird little rituals together. We giggled about how corny some of them were and daydreamed about leaving the church together. Now, she is drawing me a bath, laying out clothing and towels, and fetching me scented soap.

When I get into the tub, she frowns at the thin stretch marks running down my stomach. “You’ve given birth?”

“Yes. I have a baby daughter. That’s why I have to get back to my old life.”

“Does Bishop Harper know?”

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