“And then what?” Lilah pushed, eager to hear more. I imagined, to her, it sounded like a fictional story.
I shuddered and continued. “I was losing blood… dying, I think…” Maddie gasped and her hands began to shake. “The driver of the truck dropped me at the side of a road and I found shelter in a compound of sorts. Next thing I knew, I woke up in a strange room, alone and confused.”
I shuffled forward and tugged at their hands. “Sisters, outside is not evil like we have been told. It is filled with wonder and good people. Yes, it is dangerous at times, sinful at other times, but no more than here. I made new friends, discovered who I truly am… and… I fell in love.”
This time they both gasped loudly. “Love?” Maddie questioned, clearly in shock. Love was not something females experienced here at commune
“Yes, love. Such deep love with the most incredible man. He is strong, protective and cares for me greatly. I have been with him all this time. I love him so much, but…”
“But what?” Lilah urged me to continue, her normally restrained features had become animated.
“There was another there. Someone I believed to be a friend.” I laughed mirthlessly. “Foolish me, I could not have been more wrong—”
“Is that so?”
I craned my head in the direction of the doorway. There stood Rider—no, Brother Cain. Rider was a falsehood, a ruse to blind the Hangmen to his real purpose.
Rider is dead to me.
Cain’s formidable frame seemed to engulf the entire room. He was dressed all in black, his long hair down and falling over his shoulders—just like every other disciple. He just looked plain wrong without his standard jeans and cut.
“Greetings, Brother Cain.” My sisters dropped prostrate in his presence, their heads to the floor, arms stretched out in front—complete and utter submission.
Cain cast them a brief disinterested glance, then focused his brown eyes on me. I stood on shaky feet, trying to meet him face to face, on equal terms.
His eyes narrowed.
“Leave us,” he commanded.
Instantly, Maddie and Lilah jumped to their feet, their wary eyes questioning.
Lilah took Maddie’s hand, but my sister refused to move. Cain addressed them once more. “I said leave!” he snapped, obviously losing patience.
“Don’t you dare shout at her!” I threatened, stepping right up to his broad chest. Lilah sucked in a sharp, shocked breath at my action.
“Mae, be quiet,” Cain growled in warning, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
“I will not be quiet! I shall never obey another order given by any of you people ever again!”
Maddie ran to my side and clutched my arm. I glanced down at my sister. She was petrified. I pressed a kiss on her head.
“Go, Maddie. I shall be fine. Wait for me outside.”
She shook her head, her huge eyes squarely aimed at Cain. Brother Cain sighed. “I shall not hurt her. Despite what y’all believe, I have never harmed a female. I don’t intend to start with Mae. Especially not Mae.”
I scoffed at that obvious lie, earning me another glare from Cain. Turning to Maddie, I said, “Go, Maddie. Lilah will care for you. I shall find you when our business is complete.”
Lilah took Maddie’s hand and pulled her to the door. They left and the door closed.
“I have nothing to say to you.” I sneered at Cain. Turning my back to my former friend, I walked over and sat on the end of my bed.
“I know you think I have betrayed you, but everything was real, Mae. Us, our friendship, everything I said… especially the way I feel about you.” He edged closer to me and I held up my hand, signaling him to stop.
He did so.
“Really? Was it all real, Rider—Oops! I mean Cain! Forgive me if your kidnapping me and returning me here, to Hell, can be construed as a mere slight against me.”
Cain ignored my sarcasm and ploughed on regardless.
“You don’t belong out there in that world, Mae. You belong with your people… with me.” His voice was so soft, so persuasive.
My heart sank. I wanted my Rider back. The person stood before me confused me and at that instant, I just did not know what to believe.
“It can’t be what you want,” he stated. “You want to be an old lady? You want to be surrounded your whole life with guns, drugs, and violence? The Hangmen are poison, Mae. Deep down you know it.”
“No,” I countered. Cain remained relaxed, a small happy curve forming on his lips. I looked him dead in the eye. “I want to be with Styx for the rest of my life. Wherever he is, is where I will be. He is my life. If he remains president of the Hangmen, I will be standing at his side.”
Cain blanched, then thundered toward me. He pushed me back on the bed then crawled above my body, pinning down both of my arms.
“What are you doing? Get off me!” I hissed, trying to throw him off.
“Well, you ain’t gonna see Styx ever again, okay?”
I stopped fighting and closed my eyes, only to open them again and ask, “Am I to marry Prophet David?”
Something akin to pain flashed in Cain’s eyes, but he nodded and my eyes filled with water. “Please leave me,” I whispered. I just wanted to be left alone.
Cain’s head lowered and his forehead pressed to mine. “I love you, Mae. I love you so much. I ache for you to be mine.”
“You were never meant for me, nor was Prophet David. I am Styx’s.”
Cain suddenly punched bed beside me, his arms shaking with frustration. “Styx ain’t here! He’s gone, Mae. Long fuckin’ gone. No one will find you here! This commune is protected.”
“Rider…” I sighed. Damn, I had to stop myself. “I mean, Cain—”
“No.” He interrupted, skimming his finger down my cheek. “I like you calling me Rider.”
I frowned in disagreement and he ran his fingers through my hair, his eyes soft.