Page 64 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“Chase,” I cut in.

“Chase. Let’s look at the big picture. I live in Florida. You live in Colorado. Sure, one of us could bite the bullet and make the move. I won’t lie and say it hasn’t crossed my mind, but I also see how dangerous this place is. I’m scared to even think about staying here for long. And concerning the other, not that you’d consider moving, but…this town needs you. If you don’t clean it up, who will?”

My hand reached for hers. “If I clean it up, it will be safe.”

“For how long?”

“For…ever. For as long as I live here.”

“Live. That’s the key word that frightens me. Someone’s already tried to kill you twice. Once, they almost succeeded and they could have tonight as well. What if when he shot, he wouldn’t have missed? What if he tries again?”

She had too many valid fears. Ones I wasn’t sure how to extinguish. “I’ll be fine, and you will be, too. When we’re out, we’ll take the utmost precautions. I won’t let anything happen to you, Kit. Or to our child.” Just acknowledging what we created had those butterflies coming back. I swallowed, placing my hand against her stomach again. The pants and shirt buffered what I wanted to feel and I didn’t like it. I doubted she’d go for me asking her to take them off.

“Does Palo know?”

“No. I wanted you to be the first. I wouldn’t have even thought to test again if he hadn’t convinced me. I got sick on the way to the airport and he told me the story of Becky’s tests not coming out positive, but she was still sick. Then he mentioned buying a cheap brand so he thought we should give a different one a try.”

“I’m glad he talked you into it. And I’m…” I looked down where my hand rested, “I’m happy it turned out this way.”

“Are you? I didn’t expect for you to take this so well. Chase…what are you going to do? Are you going to keep everything a secret?”

I had her in my arms before I could stop myself. I held her tightly, feeling her stiff posture soften the longer I embraced. “No. Absolutely not. I just got back from the church. I’m…not a priest anymore. I can’t keep pretending to be someone I’m not. As much as I love my God, I love him enough not to hurt him more than I have by living a lie. I can devote and worship him without wearing a collar to signify I serve. And I can continue to help as before. People know who I am. I’m sure some will understand how we sometimes fall.” I looked down, seeing Kit was already staring at me with such pain. “I fell, little one…hard. Too hard, I think. I did some things I shouldn’t have.”

“But, you don’t regret it?”

Her eyes studied mine and I couldn’t lie.

“I loved it. If I could have, I would have kept you as close to where I had you as possible. Not there, of course. The basement, the isolation, that was punishment. If you thought for a second I didn’t wish to be there with you, you’re wrong. But sometimes, lessons need to be learned. You learned yours.”

Kit broke from my arms and I didn’t stop her. There was such sadness, I couldn’t stand it. Worse, I didn’t know how to make her better without pushing her boundaries. I didn’t want her to leave again and she’d surely want to if I went too fast.

“Have you eaten anything?”

“Some crackers,” she whispered. “I really can’t stomach anything.”

My attention went to the bedside table where half the package remained.

“I bet there’s information online that could help us. After you do what you need to concerning school, we’ll get on and see if we can find something to stop the nausea.”

“School?” Her eyes darted to the floor while she thought. “Yes, I need to get caught up on my assignments and discussion posts. I’ll email the professors and let them know I got sick while traveling. They should work with me.”

“Come on,” I said, giving her a grin and holding out my hand. “Let’s go fix this.”

Uncertainty flickered, but Kit slid her fingers over my palm and let me lead her to the office.

Lead. It was what I knew. What I needed to do concerning my place with her. I would mold Kit to me—as a student, eager to please. As a lover, desperate for my touch. And as my submissive, awaiting my every command. I’d get her back and this time, the only direction she’d be running was to my side.

Chapter 21

Kit

Hours went by while I sat at Chase’s desk devouring chapter after chapter of everything from Law and Culture to random posts on the internet. My thirst for knowledge had always been great. My past had given me passion to better learn and understand the big picture of society’s ways, whether it be from a single perspective or a community’s. To help was who I was. I longed to try to make a difference somewhere, even if minor. I had always thought it would be in a work setting, but I was starting to think there was something I could do now. After all, I didn’t need a degree to offer suggestions or opinions and I wanted to help this town, especially knowing how everyone counted on Chase for a solution. But what could I do? What could I suggest? Even after hours of racking my brain, I didn’t know.

“How’s it going?” Chase came through the entrance holding a plate of fruit and a glass of juice. I tried to offer a smile, but my worries were overwhelming. I couldn’t imagine how he was doing this.

“I finished the majority. I also thought I’d look up a few things.”

“Oh.” He glanced at the computer’s monitor while he set the plate and glass in front of me. “Oil fracking? What in the world are you looking up?” he asked, laughing. “Are you going to school for oilfield stuff?”

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