“I’m not surprised,” he said. “You had to know it was coming, sooner or later.”
“Maybe. I just wasn’t prepared. And then shortly after I got home and Rachel left for work, Deirdre showed up. She—”
“Don’t move,” a stern, masculine voice ordered. Rustling came from the thick brushy undergrowth to the left of them and two men came into view, both holding rifles. They were the same two who had escorted Jack to see Ezekiel.
Jack froze, sending Sophia a quick look and hoping she understood she needed to do the same.
“What are you doing outside the perimeter?”
Maybe this wasn’t as bad as it appeared.
“We like to walk,” Jack said, his tone easy. “We’re friends. And neither of us wanted anyone to think I was moving in on Ezekiel’s woman, so we decided to meet here so no one would gossip.”
Facing him, Sophia winced, which let him know that maybe that hadn’t been the right thing to say.
Well, they were stuck with it for now.
The taller man slid his gaze dismissively over Sophia before turning his attention—and his rifle—to Jack. “You were warned and you chose to disregard the warning. Now you must pay the price.”
Jack wondered if the other man realized he sounded like a bad actor in a B movie. But then, since no one in COE even owned a television, he doubted it.
“Wait.” Sophia stepped forward, lifting her chin as she faced the large man. “We haven’t done anything wrong. Jack and I are simply friends.”
Her words didn’t appear to even register. “Sir, you’ll need to come with us. Ezekiel will want you to be punished.”
Sophia gasped. “No. He’s done nothing wrong, I swear to you.”
The second man sighed. “Ezekiel has given orders as to what must be done. Your friend will not be killed.”
“No,” she shot back. “But from what I’ve heard, he’ll wish he was dead.”
“Torture?” Jack asked, keeping his tone even though his mind raced. “I thought Children of Eternity is all good.”
“Cut the crap,” the first man snarled. “Now get moving.” He gestured with the rifle as if to punctuate his order.
Just as Jack turned to do as he was told, Sophia jumped forward, slamming her slender body into the giant and grabbing for his gun. “Jack, run,” she screamed.
As if he would turn away from her like a coward. Instead he leaped for the second man, using his head like a battering ram. Caught by surprise, the guy fell backward, gasping for air since Jack’s hit had knocked the breath out of him.
Jack grabbed the rifle. Once he had it, he swung the butt like a club, knocking the assailant out. Then he turned to help Sophia.
To his surprise, while Sophia continued to struggle with man number one, she appeared to have the upper hand. Maybe because the guy had been given strict instructions not to harm her. Either way, Jack saw it to their advantage. He swung. The rifle butt connected and the man went down.
“Thanks,” Sophia said, trying to catch her breath. “Now what?”
He didn’t see where they had a choice. “Do you know how to use that thing?” he asked, gesturing at the other rifle.
“Well, no,” she admitted. “But I’m a fast learner.”
“I’ll show you later. Grab it and let’s go. We’re going to have to make a run for it.”
“Now?” Expression horrified, she stared. “But I’m not ready. I want to say goodbye to Rachel.”
He checked his weapon and then grabbed some ammo from the unconscious man. “We don’t have a choice. We’ve got to go now. If Ezekiel was furious that you and I were together, imagine what he’s going to do once he learns we took out two of his armed goons. I’m sure he has a special sort of punishment reserved for situations like this.”
Slowly she nodded. “You’re right.”
As they turned to go, a shot rang out. He felt the bullet tear into his thigh with a sense of shock. A moment later, the searing pain had him doubling over.
“Run, Sophia.” Choking out the words, he managed to lift his arm and point. “Run. Now.”
Despite the urgency in his voice, still she hesitated. “But...you’ve been shot.”
“Yes.” Teeth clenched, he shoved her. “You’ve got to go. Now. Or they’ll get you, too.”
Finally, to his relief, she took off, disappearing into the forest before the first man reached him. He knew he’d need to do his best to distract them so they didn’t go after her. Despite the awful burning in his leg, he launched himself up at his assailant, head-butting him in the stomach. The man went down, rolling to the side in what clearly was a practiced move, before jumping to his feet. Then he swung the butt of his rifle. Jack barely saw it coming before it hit him and then he saw nothing at all.
* * *
Sophia ran, trying to go as quietly and quickly as possible. She could hardly breathe. They’d shot Jack. Though her insides felt paralyzed with shock, somehow her legs kept moving. As each bare foot made contact with the earth, she swore every beat sounded out his name.
COE, the only place she could ever remember living, was no longer safe. If they’d been willing to shoot Jack, what exactly would they do to her? Horrifyingly, she thought she knew. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be pleasant. And Ezekiel was sure to be involved.
Now what? She couldn’t go home. Even if she’d had a disguise, which she didn’t, asking Rachel to hide her would involve her friend and potentially ruin Rachel’s life.
But she couldn’t leave Jack at the hands of someone who thought nothing of scarring and branding women. She could only imagine what Ezekiel would do to a man he believed had wronged him.
Sophia knew she’d die before she’d let that happen. Escaping, starting a new life in the outside world, none of that meant anything without Jack.
She loved him. More than life itself. She had to get to him, to figure out a way to free him. But how? Who could she trust beside Rachel?
And then, she thought of the oath she’d sworn with the other wives, who’d all sworn the same to her. Would that promise apply to something like this? Surely the answer had to be yes. It was a huge risk, but what did she have to lose? And who knew, maybe some of them would actually want to escape with her. They’d have to, if they helped her free Jack. Right now, she couldn’t see that she had any other choice.
Decision made, she knew she’d have to be careful sneaking back in. Once she made it, she couldn’t actually go ring the buzzer at Ezekiel’s gate and ask to talk to Deirdre. Then how would she contact any of them? She’d never noticed any of the other wives out and about unless it was for a formal event like the cookout. Of course, she didn’t hang around that part of the compound, either. For all she knew, the women could be meeting at the park every day for lunch.
But now the sun had almost finished setting and it would soon be dark. Most of Ezekiel’s women would likely be at home, doing whatever it is they did for the night. Her heart sank. She didn’t know what condition Jack was in. She couldn’t afford to wait until morning. If she could get to him, she knew where to find everything in the medical clinic to get him patched up. She could only pray his injury wasn’t too bad.
Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten. Deirdre! Of course! Deirdre had mentioned she planned to pick up food that evening. Maybe Sophia could still engineer a run into her there, if the timing was right. Yes, there were too many what-ifs, but she didn’t have a choice. First, though, she needed to find Jack.
With every heartbeat, she could practically hear a clock ticking. How long before Ezekiel killed Jack? Since Jack had been shot, would Ezekiel’s henchmen bother to take him to the medical clinic? If so, she still had her second key and could let herself in.
It was a start. For now, the only choice she had. If she didn’t locate Jack there, she
’d have to regroup.
The clinic then Deirdre. Decision made, she headed north in the woods, intending to make a circle around so she could reenter the compound near the medical clinic. If she could get inside there, sight unseen, she might have a prayer of pulling this off.
Chapter 15
When Jack opened his eyes, he realized he was in the exact same hospital bed where this all had begun. He tried to sit up, but the agonizing pain in his thigh had him falling back onto the bed, wincing. Real pain? Or imaginary? Then he remembered. He’d been shot.
“So you’re awake.” Ezekiel’s voice, full of a strange sort of pleasure.
Jack turned his head, eyeing the older man. He didn’t bother to speak since the answer was obvious.
“You really care about that stupid little twit, don’t you?”
Was he talking about Sophia, his wife-to-be? Jack blinked. The disparaging words were confusing. So was Ezekiel’s weird devilish delight.
“I’ll take your silence for a yes.” Now, Ezekiel’s eyes glowed with a gleeful malice. He grinned, rubbing his hands together. “You have to be punished, you know.”
“I figured.” Struggling to move, Jack realized he’d been shackled to the bed. Of course. He eyed the bandage on his leg. Same damn one. “What I don’t understand is why you bothered to fix me up.”
“I had Dr. Drew take care of your wound. It’s been cleaned and closed up.” Leaning hard on his cane, the older man circled Jack slowly. “The bullet went through. He gave you a shot of antibiotics and says you’re going to be just fine. Of course, you’ll have one more scar. But I’m sure that won’t matter to you.”
The answer made absolutely no sense. But he figured Ezekiel would tell him. And he was right.
“I could have killed you. Or let you continue to suffer and slowly die as your leg got infected and rotted.” Ezekiel’s smile broadened. “Of course, Thomas tells me you were once addicted to painkillers. Would giving you just one bring that craving back in full force?”
Jack struggled not to show his horror. He’d been through hell and back kicking his addiction. He shuddered to think what could happen if Ezekiel forced a pill down his throat.
“And then, once I got you good and hooked, I could simply cut you off. I’ve heard it’s a horrible, slow sort of death. Shakes and sweats and pain.”
This time, Jack could not suppress his shudder. It had been all that and more. Much, much more. Ezekiel’s smile widened when he saw Jack’s reaction.
“Instead I have a better punishment,” Ezekiel continued. “I’ll find my little bride-to-be and marry her anyway. And then, I’ll let you watch as we consummate the marriage. You might not know this about me—” he leaned in, lowering his voice “—but I enjoy pain. Agony excites me. I’m very fond of branding them. I’m thinking the letter A branded right onto her forehead might be especially appropriate to mark her shame. You know, like The Scarlet Letter.”
Stunned, Jack tried to fathom what Ezekiel had just said. “Branded?” He didn’t bother to hide his horror and revulsion. “Surely you’re not serious.”
“Oh, but I am,” Ezekiel said. “You should see some of my other wives. But this? I predict this will be the best wedding night yet.”
Then, while Jack gaped at him in shock, Ezekiel turned away. For the first time Jack noticed one of the two men who’d brought him there. He stood next to the door, his pistol neatly holstered but easily accessible.
“Keep an eye on him,” Ezekiel ordered. “I’ve sent six more men out to search for sweet little Sophia. Once she’s found, I’ll have us married in private first. We’ll hold the public ceremony later.” He chuckled. “I’ll need to make sure she wears a veil for that. It wouldn’t do for others to see what I plan to do to her face.”
* * *
Sophia made it back into the compound without any trouble. She guessed that if Ezekiel had people looking for her, they’d be combing the woods outside the perimeter. Certainly no one would be expecting her to return.
Though she kept her head down, she walked with purpose, as if she had someplace to go, things to do.
“Sophia,” someone called, the low-pitched voice barely catching her ear.
Cautious, she glanced in the direction of the voice, her heart stuttering in her chest when she realized who it was. Cassandra, one of Ezekiel’s wives, the woman who’d been branded. With her was Enalia, the one whose face had been marked with a horrible web of crisscrossed scars.
Sophia allowed hope to flare inside her. They had, after all, sworn loyalty to one another. “Please, come this way,” she said, gesturing to an alley behind one of the buildings. Since full night had not yet fallen, the outdoor lights hadn’t yet come on and the shadows would be better at keeping her from being seen by anyone else.
As she’d hoped they would, Cassandra and Enalia followed her without question. Quickly, Sophia explained what had happened. Enalia shook her head while Cassandra crossed her arms. “What are you going to do?” Cassandra asked.
“Escape,” Sophia answered. “But first I’ve got to save Jack.”
“Seriously?” Cassandra raised one arched brow.
“Yes, seriously.”
“You’ve got courage, I’ll give you that,” Enalia interjected. “Remember, Ezekiel isn’t kind even when you’re obedient. I’d hate to see what he does when you’re not. Your death will be slow and painful.”
“Well, hopefully he won’t catch me.” Taking a deep breath, Sophia looked from one woman to the other. “Will you help me?”
Neither woman responded. Sophia’s heart sank. “Okay. I understand, I guess.” Steeling herself, she lifted her chin, meeting each of their gazes individually. “Even so, I have to ask. If Jack and I—when Jack and I—are successful, do you want to go with us? Strike out for freedom, too?”
Enalia gasped. Clearly the idea of running had never occurred to her.
“You know what?” Cassandra swung her long silver braid over her shoulder, almost angrily. “I’ll help you. So will most everyone, once they think about it. We’ve all spoken our vows to each other. It’s time to take them more seriously.”
Enalia made a sound, as if she wanted to protest, but Cassandra silenced her with a hard look. “Don’t tell me you didn’t wish someone had stopped him before he did that to your face?”
Clearly stunned, Enalia took a step back. She stood silent, her hands clenched into fists while she considered. Finally she bowed her head. When she looked up again, tears streamed down her cheeks. “You’re right,” she managed to say. “It’s time for this to stop. I’ll help.”
“What do you want us to do?” Cassandra asked.
“Right now, go home and talk to the others. Only those who you think might want in. We can’t take a chance of one of them going to Ezekiel with this.”
“No one would do that,” Enalia said, bitterness coloring her voice. “We all hate him. Some of us more than others.”
“You never know.” Cassandra grimaced. “I’m pretty sure there are one or two of the newer ones who still have feelings for him.”
Impatient to get moving, Sophia shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’ve got to try to locate Jack. Keep your eyes and ears open. I’ll be in touch.”
“Gotcha.” Cassandra took Enalia’s arm. “Come on, hon, let’s go.”
Sophia watched until she could no longer see them, then she stepped out from the alley and resumed her purposeful walk.
She made it to the medical clinic without being stopped. The clinic appeared shut down, the same as it always did when she walked by it after hours. She went around to the back, using her key to let herself in. Once inside, she locked the door behind her and stood still, giving herself a moment so her eyes could adjust to the darkness. Luckily, after all the years she’d worked there, she knew the
place like the back of her hand.
She didn’t want to turn on any lights in case someone noticed, so she made her way quietly down the hallway. As she turned the corner that would lead her to the examination rooms, she realized two things.
One, she could hear voices. More than one. And two, the lights were on in exam room number two.
Crud. She froze. Afraid to move, glad of the dim light, she listened. Her heart gave a skip as she realized one of the people speaking was Jack. He was alive!
Then another person spoke. Ezekiel. Her blood turned to ice as she heard him tell Jack exactly what he had planned for her. She shuddered, thinking of how narrowly she’d escaped a life worse than hell.
Of course, she hadn’t escaped it yet. She had to save Jack and get out of the compound first.
Still, she listened as Ezekiel continued to gloat. When he finally wound down, she heard him bark orders to someone to keep an eye on Jack. Which meant, of course, that Jack was under armed guard.
Since she wasn’t sure which exit Ezekiel would use, she slipped into a small storage closet to wait until he’d left. Good thing, too, because a few seconds later Ezekiel and one of his goons marched past her.
Heart hammering, she listened as he went outside and someone locked the door behind him. Another guard? Or the same one? Was Dr. Drew here, too? She hated that there were so many unknown factors.
Maybe she needed to rethink her plan. There was no way she alone could overpower an armed guard, and there might even be more than one.
But then again, she had the element of surprise on her side. Maybe she could do this without having to attempt to seek out and involve Deirdre.
While she dithered, she heard footsteps walk down the hall. To her horror, they seemed to stop right outside the storage closet door. Had she been discovered? If so, how?
“I know you’re in there.” Dr. Drew’s voice. “I was watching, and my cameras are everywhere in this clinic. Ezekiel’s gone and I’ve injected his guard with something to knock him out for a few hours. If you want to help your Jack, don’t waste any more time.”
Wyoming Undercover Page 19
