Page 37 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“No,” I said louder. “You need to leave my house.”

A few shuffled their feet, clearly unsettled, but Palo didn’t budge.

“Don’t make me do it,” I threatened. “I’ll throw your ass out again. This time, it won’t be so nicely. I said no. Take it and leave.”

Aggravation had his face going red and he spun around, only to face me again. “You’re so focused on the girl that you’re not even trying to remember who you are. She’s going to get you killed. Then what? What hope will the people of this town have left if you’re six feet under?”

“They’ll have you. You’ll lead. You’ll lead them right now.”

“I’m not meant to, Father, you are.”

“And I’m not going to, so get the fuck out of my house,” I said, drawing the weapon at my back. “I said no, now walk your ass out of my door, and don’t come back.”

Seconds went by before Palo broke his glare. “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life and soon, you’re going to realize that. If you make it that long. It was nice knowing you, Chase. Let’s go,” he growled at the men.

One by one, they tore their eyes away from me. Eyes that held such…disappointment. They needed me on a level I couldn’t comprehend. How bad was this town that they were relying on me to save them? What was it that I held that no one else did? Nothing made sense. Was all of this revolving around money, or something more? As they headed out of the front door, I had to stop myself from asking.

Chapter 13

Kit

For what seemed like the millionth time, my eyes scanned the room, taking in how bare it truly was. Except for some pictures on the wall, nothing rested on the tables that could be considered a weapon. And I needed one. I had to get out of here. Chase may have had good intentions, but I didn’t trust where those would lead. He had made it clear that he’d continue to fuck me. There was no way I could let that happen.

I limped across the room, pulling the drawers to the dresser open. Pain shot though my foot and I groaned as I took in what lay before me. Clothes. My hand ruffled through the contents of each and panic flared as I came up empty. Dammit, there had to be something lying around.

Cautiously, I turned toward the closet. I knew there were weapons in the hidden room, but just the thought of going back in there had what felt like lead weighing down my legs. They wouldn’t move forward. Wouldn’t advance to the one place that could possibly set me free.

Heat raced down my skin and I somehow managed to move myself up a step. I could do this. I wasn’t a coward. If I propped something by the door, it wouldn’t close me in. Besides, if it did, I wasn’t tied. I’d run in, get a gun, and be back out in no time.

My hand was shaking as I reached up and flipped on the light. Adrenaline had me heading to the panel at the far back. With a slam, I let the side of my fist connect. Nothing. Again, I tried, putting more force with my hit.

“Shit.”

Throbbing had my other hand coming up to rub the ache that took over. What the hell was going on? I’d done what Chase had, right?

The memory played out before me and I turned, glancing back at the bed. Yes, he’d done something when he reached to the back of one of the posts on the headboard. I took off in the direction, coming to an abrupt stop at the bottom of the bed as I spotted Chase leaning against the opened door, watching. My breath caught and I fixated on the white collar he wore. He appeared the way he did when I first met him…a priest.

“Little one, you want to explain why you’re not where I told you to stay?”

My mouth opened, only to shut. Had it just been him in regular clothes, I possibly might have been able to find an excuse, but with him portraying the forbidden, my body was on fire for all the wrong reasons.

I glanced toward the headboard, knowing even if I got there and found the button he’d pushed, I’d never make it to the secret room in time. He’d catch me, and then what? Would it even matter? His apparel was confusing me. Had he decided to return to the church? Maybe he had come to his senses.

“I’m…sorry, Father.”

“You’re going to be. You see, I had a feeling you would fail this test.” Chase stepped forward and I edged more toward the closet. A tilt of his head, accompanied with his eyes narrowing, had me frozen in place. Would he flog me again for disobeying? Worse? I had a feeling the white collar had nothing to do with him seeing the light and everything to do with him expelling the darkness he held within.

“Test?” Jesus, I should have just stayed cuffed like a part of me wanted to. “If you’ll just let me go, I promise—”

The lunge was so fast, I barely had time to react. A squeak left me and my hand went out to stop the contact, but it was pointless. Chase dove in, scooping me up and flinging me over his shoulder. He spun for the door, spanking my ass hard in our retreat.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re going to learn when I say something, you follow my rules. No ifs, no buts, just pure obedience, Kit.”

The steps Chase took were fast. Determined. The hall blurred by and before I knew it, we were heading down the stairs. My eyes scanned the surroundings and my heart sank when I saw the living room was empty. Where were the men? Did they leave? Were they outside?

“Don’t take me back down there. Father, please!”

Fear surged, making my heart explode in rhythm. I couldn’t submit to him again. I couldn’t be forced to be broken down and spend another night letting him fuck me stupid. That’s what I’d been, giving into him so easily—stupid, childish…easy.

---