Page 16 of Hiding Secrets

My eyes fill with tears again, and I curse myself internally for being so weak in front of these men.

"He isnevertouching you again." Hunter adds in. "As for why we saved you, it’s because that’s what Kam wanted."

Fuck, Elliott. I am so sorry. I didn’t save you.

The way Kameron tried to save me from Samuel. He knew, he saw the monster before his eyes while I was blind to it all until it was all too late.

I am going to save you now, okay?

I go to ask another question, but Hunter's phone rings just as my lips start to form the words.

His eyes shoot to Marcus and then to me, "It's Kam."

16

Kameron

I'm going fucking stir-crazy here. I’m cleaning my already spotless living room without the ability to go where I really want.

This is what I do when I’m trapped, anxious, or in my head, and right now I am all three and more.

All I want is to be with Hunter, Marcus, and Elliott.

I need to see her. I need to make sure she is okay. Fuck, I know she isn't. Not after what Samuel did to her. And I am stuckhere.

I know she is in good hands with Hunter and Marcus but...fuck!

Samuel went crazy after he found out Elliott was gone. The whole town went in for questioning and he grilled his new members the hardest. He had all of his men out looking for her. The only scrap of something resembling joy I had was watching him slowly fall apart when his attempts to locate her failed. It made me laugh a bit and I was indulging in the way his face was red andhis chest was puffed up every time I saw him. He wasn't going to find her, not where she was. Our safe house was off the grid, the property wasn't even listed forourconcealment. He wasn't getting her back. Ever.

Knowing she was safe felt good, but the itch to be there with her was causing me to squirm with the restraints of this community.

My phone rings, notmyphone, but the decoy I have for Samuel. I always have a burner when I’m undercover, it makes everything easier. The people in this town are the only ones that have this number and it’s registered to a Stephen Harris. The perks of having Marcus being the tech genius he is.

I grab it but let it ring a few times before pushing the green call button, "Hello, this is Mr. Harris." I let the cover-up name slip off my tongue with ease.

"Mr. Harris, this is Joshua. I hope you’re doing well." His tone is off, words clipped.

"It's a pleasure to hear from you. I’m doing well."

"Good, good to hear. I wanted to extend a personal apology for the setback on your Chosen bride. I know Mr. Donovan had it in the books, but with…" his words drifted for a moment, "with the disappearance of his wife…"

She isn't his fucking wife, you sick fuck.I scream internally, gripping myphone tighter.

"My sympathies for Mr. Donovan, sir. I can't imagine. I have been praying to the Divine for her safe return." I roll my eyes at my words.

"Thank you, Mr. Harris." His words are void of emotions, "I also wanted to ask if you would be okay waiting just a bit longer. As our men are a bit preoccupied with the search. With the delays, you are allowed to return to work. I hope you understand."

My heart thumps faster at the words, "Yessir, I completely understand and I’m willing to wait. As for work, I think that would help keep my mind busy as I wait."

"Yes, yes, I agree. I thank you for your understanding during this time, Mr. Harris. I will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your Chosen."

"Praise the Divine, please give my praises and thanks to Mr. Donovan." I try not to rush my words, but I need to get off of this phonenow.

"Praise the Divine."

The line clicks off as I race for the stairs, tapping away ready to make a much needed call.

17

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