Page 21 of Controlled Chaos

Chapter 12

Porter ledme back to the main building. Through the windows, I could see people milling around inside. Several carried platters like wait staff while others were seated at long industrial picnic-style tables. Most people were dressed in the same attire, like a flock with no personality or identities.

The scent of home cooking smacked me in the face as we entered. The smell of roast beef and apple pie mingled, tantalizing my taste buds.

A large ornate table sat on a dais, reigning above the others. Thaddeus and Wanda presided at the center, as if looking out over their disciples. Their food was being served by uniform clad teens. Edward, sat next to Thaddeus, and Monica was sitting on the other side of Wanda.

The rest of the table was filled with an authoritative-looking group of older men and women.

“If that’s the grown-ups table, where is the visitor section?” I whispered.

Porter swept his arm toward an empty table across the room.

That was going to make it difficult to make friends and ask questions.

Porter pulled out my chair, and I sat, taking count of the armed guards stationed around the room.

“Did you enjoy your stay here?” I asked.

“It served its purpose,” Porter said, taking the seat next to me as young girls wearing aprons approached the table. They kept their heads lowered, never meeting our gazes as they deposited our plates. Others followed behind them with drinks and dessert.

The workers moved in tandem like a well-oiled machine.

“It’s working like a charm,” Porter whispered, pouring from the pitcher of tea first into my glass and then his.

“What is?” I asked, tearing at one of the rolls. I dipped it into the stew’s gravy and popped it into my mouth.

“If I’d been alone, those servers would have gotten in trouble for flirting with me. Last time I was here, more than one tried to break into my room, and I found one in my bed. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being here. Even if you’ll be leaving soon.”

“I have a feeling you won’t be getting much information if we stay segregated from the others.” I glanced around the room meeting the gazes of curious people that were looking in our direction. “Loose lips might tell you more.”

Porter placed the napkin on his lap and glanced toward the grown-up table to where his mother was sitting. “This is a tactical move on their part, but they won’t be able to keep me from the rest of the group for long.”

“And why is that?” I asked, taking a bite of the roast beef and savoring it as it melted like butter in my mouth. I couldn’t hold in my moan.

“The last Saturday of every month is the annual sober graduation ceremony. If the patient is the lucky one, they’ll get an offer to stay on the island and continue their practices.”

I slowly lifted my head from my food. “You think that makes them lucky?”

He shrugged. “It’s a slice of paradise away from responsibilities and being tempted by the sins that brought them here. It’s only ever offered to one patient after every annual graduation.”

I glanced toward the row of tables. The woman we’d seen with bags under her eyes was sitting at one of the ends. She had a tracker on her ankle, and her hands were cuffed.

“You sure this place isn’t more like a prison? That teen is wearing handcuffs.”

“She must be a problem child. They only use handcuffs during social situations if the patient has harmed another. It’s for everyone’s protection. They’ll remove them when they lock her into the barracks for the night.”

I shoved the questions to the back of my mind and concentrated more on Porter. I was his fiancé. There were things I should know. So instead of asking questions about this place and these people, I changed the topic to more of him and his family. Porter was more than just the face in my visions. He was a living breathing beautifully sexy man who had his own ideas and opinions and could make me laugh and smile even while seated in this uncharted territory.

No matter how this place made me feel, having Porter next to me and knowing he was probably blocking whatever or whoever Carlos was using to locate me eased my worries some. Now, if he could just get rid of the cult vibe these people were giving off, I might actually let my guard down. Maybe.

When the meal was over, people filed out. Some went back to their rooms while others were led into the main house. Porter held my hand and led me through the open double doors to the room beyond.

White curtains blew on the breeze. The view of the island waters in the distance was soothing. In different circumstances, this would have been an ideal place to hide away if it weren’t for the Foundation and its members.

“There you are.” Wanda Foster held her arms open wide as she approached. “Let me give you a proper hello.”

She pulled Porter into a hug before kissing his cheek. “I’ve missed you, kid.”

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