Page 40 of Devil Within

His brow furrowed. “What?”

“If you don’t go, they will make you have an accident. So, you need to leave and be safe.”

“Not. Without. You.”

She fell to her knees in front of him and touched his lips with her fingertips. Memories of his kisses played through her mind, and her heart broke. For the time she had left, she would miss him.

“I love you,” she said, and his eyes widened. If this was all she was to have, she needed him to know. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I was scared. I was scared so much that it prevented me from being honest. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I love you so much that I would do anything to make sure you live.”

Jade shook his head. “Not like this. Get me free, Shiloh, so I can kill that fucking dick of a stepfather you have.”

“You’re bleeding, and I know you’re weak. Too weak to fight. If you don’t get medical attention soon, it’ll be a problem.”

“Stop talking and untie me. We’ll figure a way out of here.”

“They won’t leave me alone again.” The tears wouldn’t be contained anymore and streamed down her face. “I made a deal with him. My life for yours.”

“Hell no!” he snapped. “I am not fucking losing you. Find something to cut these ties.”

“You’ll have to forget about me. Live a happy life. Find a woman not as fucked-up as me.”

“No!” he yelled, struggling, but she could tell he was weakened. His wound started bleeding again.

“Please, Jade,” her voice cracked. “Don’t give him an excuse to hurt you more. I—I can’t live in a world where you’re not in it. If something were to happen to you, I would never survive it.”

She didn’t tell him her chances of surviving were slim to none. After all, what good was penance if it wasn’t brutal?

“And yet that’s exactly what you’re expecting me to do,” he said bitterly. “You think I’m just going to forget you, Shiloh? I love you, too. I will never love another. I will never give you up.”

She was sure once he had distance from her and this mess, he’d soon forget her. He’d realize her baggage was too much to deal with, but that was the way of life. Of surviving. She wouldn’t see him again, but she would rest easy knowing he was safe. That he would continue on and be with his club. Maybe, she hoped, every once in a while, he’d think back to the girl that almost got him killed by a fucked-up cult.

For a brief moment, he had been hers. Some people lived a whole lifetime never finding their soulmate, but she’d been one of the lucky ones.

The door opened, and Lawrence stood there, waiting. Time was up. She tried to smile at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. He glared at her stepfather.

“You son-of-a-bitch!” he snarled. “Let her go.”

“I think not,” Lawrence replied, and he stepped back to allow his mindless disciples into the shed.

Jade tried to struggle, but he was weakened from blood loss. One of the men held a syringe in his hand. The needle jabbed into his arm, and he let out a roar that broke her soul. He locked gazes with her and shook his head. Then, the fight left him, and he sagged to the ground, unconscious.

“I will fulfill my promise,” Lawrence told her calmly. “He will be sedated for the entire trip.”

She leaned over and kissed Jade’s unresponsive lips. “I will love you until my last breath,” she whispered into his ear, even though she knew he couldn’t hear her. “And I’ll love you in the next life as well.”

They picked him up and dragged him out of the shed, taking the very air she breathed with him.

****

She was given that night to prepare herself, which meant she was supposed to kneel and say her prayers. She was supposed to ask for forgiveness from a god she wanted no part of. Instead, memories rolled through her. When she met Jade. The first time she rode on the back of his bike. Their first kiss. Her stepfather had played a short video showing Jade breathing, and a weight eased off her shoulders. He was safe. She could die happy, knowing his club brothers would support him.

Her tears refused to be restrained. Maybe she should’ve maintained a stiff upper lip, but she didn’t have it in her. She was done trying to stay strong. Done trying to be tough. Instead, she cried all night and made herself sick. When breakfast was delivered, she knew she should eat to have a chance to survive the Penance, but she just couldn’t muster the care to do it. The sooner she died, the sooner she could finally escape this sad, sickening life.

She pushed away the food and juice.

A white sack-like dress was brought. The neckline was squared off, with short cap sleeves that fell to her knees. White to signify the purity she was trying to atone for. She hadn’t been a virgin for a long time, and Penance was the opportunity to regain her position in the community. To be forgiven for her transgressions. Only, she didn’t want that, and couldn’t care less if her stepfather’s so-called deity forgave her.

She had no intention of surviving.