Page 62 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“Take me back,” I forced out. “I have to go back.”

Chapter 20

Chase

I was sick. Sick over the situation and sick to my stomach as I left confession from Father Brimley’s office. Hearing the truth come from Kit had been hard, but disclosing it to a man I’d looked up to was downright humiliating. Since I’d become a priest, I could never remember doing anything that brought disgrace and embarrassment to me to this extent. Sure, I had impure thoughts. Yes, I’d slipped a time or two where masturbation was concerned, but never had I gone as far as kidnapping a woman and…doing the things I had. The supposed pregnancy should have scared me straight. So why, although guilty, did I feel like jumping on the next plane to Florida and bringing her back just to force her to stay with me again?

I wasn’t right. I never had been. And the worst part? I had begged and prayed she would be pregnant. Knowing that we didn’t know each other well, I wanted to keep her no matter how screwed up our situation was. The fact that I went as low as thinking it brought on more shame than I could grasp. It was the reason I’d come to my decision. One I was having a hard time believing.

Rain began to fall and I jogged to my SUV. I didn’t feel like going home. At the church, I could focus on clearing my mind and getting my life back together. Maybe a solution for my problems and this town would come during prayer. Answers always made themselves known when I closed myself off to the outside world. But I couldn’t do that now. Men were waiting and I had to learn to adjust. I wasn’t who I used to be. Not before I became a priest, or after. When I came out of the coma, a new man was born. He was one I didn’t understand. One I wasn’t even sure I wanted to know.

I pulled to the main road, heading through town. Residents were practically nonexistent as I drove through in a blur. The big question concerning this place teased to become my focus, but I ignored the pull to think about a solution. Instead, my mind drifted back to Kit. She probably thought of me as the devil. She’d said so once. And I couldn’t blame her. She knew nothing of the good man I could be. Of the helpful servant or loyal friend. Now, I’d never see her again. Never kiss her mouth or get to bask in how perfectly our bodies fit together. But it was for the best. I took vows. Even though I wasn’t a priest anymore, it didn’t mean I had to stop trying my best to serve.

The town disappeared behind me and I still let her take me over. Her hair, her smell…the taste of her on my tongue. Maybe she was heaven. Or maybe the closest I would ever get. I’d never make it to the pearly gates for real. If this town had its way, I’d be forced to take out more people, continue with what I knew I had to do. It wasn’t a task that bothered me as much as it had before my coma. That should have worried me, but it didn’t.

The fork appeared in the distance and I sighed, glancing in the rearview mirror. A red truck was accelerating, getting closer to me by the second. I reached under my seat, grabbing my gun as I eyed the vehicle wearily. Max had tried to convince me to allow Ed and Weston to tag along, but I hadn’t listened. As the truck drew incredibly closer, I was starting to think it was a stupid decision.

Bright lights flashed, signaling me to stop. My foot went to tap the brake when the truck crashed into the back of my SUV. The jolt had my eyes going wide as I tried to get control. Dirt flew out to the side as I edged off the road. Just when I managed to get back on the asphalt completely, it hit me again. Almost immediately, glass exploded from my back windshield. I ducked, cursing while I fought to keep the wheel steady.

“What the fuck?” My eyes narrowed, trying to make out who was behind the wheel. I didn’t recognize the vehicle…or the man driving it.

My engine roared as I accelerated and broke around the turn leading to my home. Where I expected him to follow, he didn’t. The truck took the opposite direction, disappearing within seconds. My adrenaline was racing so fast, I had to squeeze my hands to stop them from shaking. I was pissed, enraged someone was still out to get me. After Jonas had broken in, I knew there was risk, but I figured it was all focused around Kit. I was wrong.

I rounded the corner, pulling in front of my house. My heart all but stopped at the sight of Ed’s truck. Palo shouldn’t be back so soon…not if he went to Denver.

In a rush, I turned off the SUV, jogging toward the cabin. Had someone tried to hurt them, too? Was Kit okay? Palo? Too many questions were there as I barged through the front door. Max stood, Ed, and then Weston. I scanned the area, pushing the door shut behind me. As I headed deeper inside, Palo became visible, leaning against the far wall.

“What happened? Where’s Kit? You shouldn’t be back yet.”

“You don’t miss anything, do you?” Palo frowned, pointing to the second story. “She’s upstairs.”

“Set the alarm and keep your eyes peeled. My truck just got shot up and nearly ran off the road.”

I didn’t wait around for them to ask questions. I took three steps at a time, barely slowing before I barreled past my door. Kit jumped and her hand flew to her chest. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, fear clouding her face. While a huge part was concerned, I almost couldn’t stop myself from rushing over to crush my lips to hers.

“Kit…what are you doing here? I thought you wanted to leave.”

Slowly, she rose, bringing her hands up while she fiddled with her fingers.

“I haven’t been entirely truthful about who I am. I should have pieced everything together sooner, but I’m afraid it took me awhile and then…” she glanced up, only meeting my eyes for a minute. “Abe. He’s my uncle.”

A laugh burst from my lips and I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous. I would know if that were the case. He only had one…sister.” My words drew out. Sister. Yes, he had one. I’d met her once—in Florida, at their family reunion.

I took a step back, titling my head as memories blinded me. It was a blur. Not because of the amnesia, but because I was a fucking disaster at that age. How old was I? Early twenties? She would have been… “Jesus,” I said, taking another step back as I remembered the little blonde girl who wouldn’t leave the front porch. I’d thought her sad back then. Too quiet and too shy to look at anyone.

Flashes of her mother registered, drunk, wild, and loud. But it hadn’t been shocking to me at the time; I was just as wasted and coked up. What a mess we’d all been, and Kit, the innocent child she’d been, witnessing it all.

“Impossible. I remember you,” I said lowly. “I’m…so sorry.”

“Sorry?” Her brow pulled in. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Father. I don’t want your sympathy.”

“What do you want? It couldn’t have been just to tell me that.”

Her head shook.

“First, tell me, why didn’t you tell me this before?”

She went back to looking at her hands. “For a long time, we didn’t hear from Abe or anyone else. My mother got with Peter not long after that reunion so she was preoccupied. A few years back, after Rory got me my apartment, Jim magically found me. He was in town and we all hung out one night. He and Rory became fast friends. I didn’t pay much attention at the time. I mean, they sort of went off and did their own thing. Well, I guess they kept in contact because when Rory told me he had a job offer in Untold, I naturally thought it was cool that he and Jim would be close. Until, of course, he told me it was Jim he was working for.”

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