Page 48 of Desert Thorns

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This morning hadn’t been the first time I’d woken up wrapped in a man’s clothes. But a habit was a first. Ahabit, goodness gracious.

I sat alone in the second to last pew of Saint James Cathedral, trying to focus on Kingsley’s homily he gave for Midday Mass. Only half of the rows were filled, the occasional coughing or throat clearing echoing off the stone walls and domed ceiling. His gaze kept wandering over the Mass-goers, occasionally skipping to me, then stumbling on. I’d had no idea that he had to preach today, not to mention on sexual immorality. He talked about dressing modestly, specifically addressing the men in the congregation. I wanted to rejoice about the fact that he was covering all the points I’d ranted about, but I couldn’t.

A moan built inside my chest. I had seduced amonk. Proof of how tainted I was. Always had been, ever since my childhood. The worst part was that I only felt a mite of the guilt that should be ravaging me. Why couldn’t I respond like Kingsley? His bloodshot eyes before Vigils this morning had been a clearindicator that he’d cried. Meanwhile, all I could think about was that the man was liquid passion. Never in my life had I felt as desirable and loved as last night. Heavens, his powerful body . . . Thank God I was still on birth control.

“Sweet Harley, you have to stop leading the poor guy on.”

The low drawl coming from behind me sent a shiver clawing up my spine. Craig. His aftershave stung my nostrils. How had I not noticed that someone was sitting right behind me?

“What do you want?” I hissed.

“Just to enjoy the message the Monk Boy delivers.”

“We both know that’s not why you’re here.” I glanced left and right, gauging my exit possibilities.

Something cold pressed into the right side of my lower back. “You’re staying.”

I glanced down, seeing a gun through the gap in the backrest. Heart racing, I looked up at Kingsley. He was reading from Scripture, eyes cast down. “You certainly wouldn’t shoot me in front of all those people,” I said over my shoulder.

“Nah, just like I didn’t shoot those slackers at Silent Wharf. Or like I would never deal in weapons.”

I gasped. He even admitted to his crimes. What was wrong with this man? Where was the Craig who’d dated me? The caring, loving guy? The one who put a kitchen towel over his head like long hair to imitate his mother?

Kingsley looked up, his gaze zeroing in on us. A shadow instantly darkened his features.

“Looks like Monk Boy is jealous.” Craig chuckled, his breath moistening my neck. “Cute how he thinks he can protect you.”

I almost laughed out loud. “Do you need a reminder that he choked you and your gorilla out cold?”

“Ah, yes. My dashboard cam caught that. If you get any ideas, Harley”—Craig ran the muzzle of his gun along my back—“like leaking to anyone what you saw, your lover will pay for it. Hemight have acted in self-defense, but if I cut the footage right, it’ll look like he assaulted us.”

“You’re lying,” I gritted out. “You didn’t film anything.”

“If you say so. You know, we sometimes fly a drone over the island for routine scans. I wonder what I’d find if I flew it over Saint James.”

My pulse raced along with my thoughts. No, he couldn’t. How? How would he—

He’s messing with you, girl. He doesn’t know what happened last night. No one does.

“You’ve gone suspiciously quiet, Harley. What are you and Monk Boy up to when no one’s watching? I have a feeling I’d enjoy the show.”

The smirk in his tone made me want to whip around and slap him. “You’re a psychotic pervert,” I hissed.

“Aww honey. Those words don’t belong in a church.”

I curled my hands into fists.I’m about to show you what doesn’t belong in a church.“Neither does a corrupt detective.”

Although Kingsley continued the homily, his gaze kept coming back to Craig and me. The way he white-knuckled the edge of the wooden ambo, his eyes darker than I’d ever seen before, made it look like it took everything in him to stay where he was.

“You can’t win, Harley,” Craig said. “Stay out of my business, and your lover can keep his life. Get in my way, and he’ll lose everything.” He wrapped my braid around his hand and slowly pulled my head back. “We clear?”

Tears blurred my vision from the pain pricking my scalp as my gaze was forced to the domed ceiling. “Yes,” I ground out.

“Atta girl.” He let go. “I always knew you’re a smart one.” With that, he scooted out of the pew and disappeared out the door.

The rest of the noon and afternoon I dodged Kingsley until Brother Aurelius asked me to bring him a sandwich. I found himchopping wood outside the shack he’d carried me to during our very first encounter. How had that been almost two weeks ago?

Kingsley brought the ax down onto a log, effortlessly splitting it in half. I watched him split several more—fast, hard, and precise. Each swing got more aggressive.