Page 22 of The Preachers' Promise
Her dad scoffs. “Dumb name.”
“Vince,shut up,” her mother shouts. Her words seemingly shock him into silence. “She said you helped her. Those were her words. She said the Preachers were the only ones who could help, the ones who made that voice go away.”
“Yes, we did.” Cain nods. “And we can keep her safe, too, I give you my word…on my life. If you let her come back with us, and anything happens to her, I’ll offer my life in return.”
I suck in a breath. That’s a huge move. It’s not just empty words. In our world, offering your life this way means death if you fuck up. He’s giving his word, and his honor, that Ophelia is his to protect. Failure to do so means her father has every right to take his life in return.
“Cain,” I start, but he silences me with a look.
“It’s too late.” Her mother presses her fingers to her lips, her eyes wide and glassy with tears. “She’s in a medical facility. She had a complete psychotic break. She’s very unwell.”
“A medical facility?” My stomach churns. “What kind of facility?”
Her father clenches his fists at his sides. “None of your business.”
“Vince, for the love of God, I think we’ve done the wrong thing.” Mrs. Sinclair stands and paces, wringing her hands as she does.
“No, you’re overwrought. She’s in professional hands. Safe. Cared for. You boys need to leave.”
“But, sir—I” Cain says.
“Now.” He barks the order at us.
Fuck. This isn’t going to work. Still, now we know she’s at a facility, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find out where. Surely, they’d want to keep her close?
Mrs. Sinclair pushes by us to leave the room, her hand to her mouth, a sob escaping. I let her pass, feeling sorry for her.
Ophelia’s father puts his shoulders back and jerks his chin at the door. “You need to go now. You’ve upset my wife and given her false hope. Get out of here.”
I nod, as does Cain, and we leave, Malachi bringing up the rear. We step outside and pause on the step, then walk away from the door, which is firmly slammed behind us. I’ve not taken more than two steps when Ophelia’s mother appears from around the side of the house.
She glances from side to side, checking we’re alone.
“Cain, it always haunted me, the way I treated you when you were a boy. I’m so sorry I screamed at you when you were only worried about Ophelia. I know you cared about her, and it looks as though you care about her still.” She slips a note into Cain’s hands. “She’s lucky to have you as a friend.”
Before he’s got the chance to reply, she slips away again, hurrying back around the side of the property.
He pockets the paper, and we walk quickly back to the car.
10
MALACHI
We makesure we’re well away from the house before Roman pulls the car over again. We’re on the side of a two-lane road, with only fences and fields bracketing us. The people inside the vehicles that drive past don’t pay us any attention, but I constantly check out the back window in case Ophelia’s father sent one or more of his men after us. Even if they don’t confront us, they may follow us to learn our next move, but so far there hasn’t been any sign of someone suspicious.
I had known in my gut that we needed to leave as soon as possible to look for her, and now I realize I was correct. Maybe Roman isn’t the only one who has certain powers.
Roman puts on the cab lights, and Cain opens his large palm, his fingers unfurling, to reveal the note Ophelia’s mother smuggled to him. It’s folded into a tight knot, so he opens it, showing hand scribbled words.
“It’s the name of where she is,” Cain confirms. “Cedar Bridge Recovery Center.”
Immediately, I take my cell from my pocket and search for the place. “It’s at least a three-hour drive from here. We’ll be there before daybreak.”
Roman shakes his head. “It doesn’t help us.”
Anger roils inside me. It seems to be constantly so close to the surface right now. I’m struggling to keep my head together. Why the fuck does he always have to be so negative?
“Why doesn’t it help us?”
