Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
In every corner of her soul, she ached for him. “Too difficult? Oh, Seth…”
When she threw her arms around him, he dragged her against his body and held tight, as if he could take her strength through their embrace. She soothed a palm across his back and whispered words of reassurance, wishing she could erase his suffering.
Finally, he broke away, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, then her lips before he cast a glance up to Beck in the rearview mirror. “Thanks for understanding. It means the world to me. I’m sorry I made today about me when you just went through a whole ration of shit with the people you used to call family. You okay, man?”
“Much better now that I know the past can’t come back to haunt me anymore,” Beck assured.
Seth shifted in his seat, his nod noncommittal. “What are the odds the rest of The Chosen come looking for revenge?”
“Against me?” Beck shrugged. “We won’t know until after the raid on Messiah City tonight. Right now all those freaks and pedophiles are living their disgusting lives, twisting the word of God into their justification for violating little girls. After the feds shut them down, we’ll see what happens. But as far as they know, Gideon is dead. I plan to keep it that way.”
“Sure, but if they got wind you had anything to do with killing their Messiah and shutting them down…”
“There would be hell to pay, and I’m worried they wouldn’t just take their anger out on me.” Beck glanced her way in the rearview mirror again.
Heavenly shuddered. She couldn’t imagine what girls in that horrible town suffered or why their parents condoned and encouraged such depravity. She was grateful Beck had found his way out. Hopefully, he’d never have to deal with any of The Chosen again, and anyone violent enough to seek vengeance would be behind bars.
Except Zacharias. He had decided to do the brave thing and declare himself Messiah in the wake of Jedediah’s death—then let the FBI in to round up the elders and shut down their sect. Heavenly could only imagine how difficult that choice had been. She hoped the man found peace someday.
“I’m always careful,” she reassured him. “And you two make sure I’m rarely out alone.”
“We don’t want anything to happen to you.” Beck’s voice sounded soft but determined over the faint hum of the engine.
Seth gripped her hand. “Ever. I can’t lose you, angel.”
After everything he’d been through? Heavenly could only imagine how more loss would crush him. “You won’t.”
They fell silent. Maybe it was her imagination, but the air between them seemed to turn heavy and tense. A change of subject might do them all good…
“Are you planning to return to the hospital on Monday?” she asked Beck.
He nodded. “But I’ll probably do some quick rounds tonight. I have a few patients I should check on.”
“I might go with you, see if I can catch Bridget and Jennifer,” she said of her nursing director and her supervisor. “I should thank them for their flexibility. We left yesterday with so little warning, and in spite of the time I took off to deal with my dad’s passing, they’ve been really understanding.”
“They’re great,” Beck replied.
“You only have a few weeks left of volunteering to satisfy your school requirement, right?” Seth asked.
“Three, but I’m going to continue putting in as many hours as I can so Bridget still wants to hire me once I graduate.”
“She will,” Beck assured without pause. “Believe me.”
“I’m proud of you.” Seth kissed her temple. “Even with all the adversity and upheaval, you’ve managed to keep going and make great grades. Your dad would be proud of you.”
His words melted Heavenly. When Daddy had been alive, he hadn’t agreed with her decision to have a relationship with two men. But even before Abel Young’s passing, Beck and Seth had cared for her in every way she’d needed. And, through Liam, she knew now that her father understood and approved of the path she had chosen with her men. “Thanks. I think you’re right.”
Seth smiled. “Just one more year of nursing school. You got this.”
“If all goes well.” She looked forward to finishing almost as much as she worried she’d never be ready.
“It will,” he assured, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “You’re going to be an amazing, compassionate nurse.”
“I hope. I’ll do my best.”
“You always do.” He gave her a squeeze. “You were even brave this morning.”
“Hiding in the wine cellar?”
“Relying on those of us who have been in combat to keep you safe. I know from experience that waiting and wondering for an outcome isn’t any easier. But I’m also glad you and the other women didn’t have to witness what happened.”
She was, too. Her friends were so intrepid. During the battle, Gloria had been itching to leave the safety of the underground shelter and protect everyone alongside the men. Even Raine had seemed eager to lend her gun. Heavenly wished she had that sort of spirit. “We had no idea what was going on, and we were worried as heck about all of you. The sounds of the gunfire… It was terrifying. The not knowing if you two were okay nearly killed me.”