Page 5 of Tav
Growing up in Eden’s Keep wasn’t all that bad. I was from my father’s first family, the youngest and only daughter, after three brothers. In the beginning, it was a place for like-minded people to congregate. My father was a God-fearing man. He read the scriptures and wanted to build an Eden on Earth, where people could live according to the Bible. Helping thy neighbor, working the land and living off its bounty. Then, my mother died. Whatever held my father together snapped. He started having “visions”. Visions that God was speaking directly to him, wanting him to be his prophet, helping people to lead a good life, a godly life.
Obviously, that also meant becoming a bigamist and sexual predator. Between him and my uncle, Eden’s Keep turned into what could only be called a cult. Gullible people looking for a place to belong soon came in their droves, thanks to my uncle Royal Landry’s proselytizing. Next came the young wives and then came getting rid of my brothers. I mean, The Prophet can’t have all the women if his young, virile sons are around, can he? They all got dumped on the streets to fend for themselves and I got married off.
The mewl of a baby drifts through my bitter thoughts, stopping me in my tracks.
“What was that?”
“What was what?” Lovely whispers back.
Mewling sounds out again, this time with snuffles and a little cry. Spinning to look at Lovely, I notice the pile of fabrics she is holding in her hands is moving.
“Lovely. Is that a baby?”
Tears pool in her eyes, and she sniffles. “Please, even if you don’t take me with you, please take my baby. I - I can’t have her there. I’ve got to save her.”
Stepping closer, I peer into the swaddle Lovely is holding and stare down into wide eyes that mirror her mother’s.
“Who is her father, Lovely?”
“R-royal Landry.”
Looking closely at Lovely, I take in her features. She’s not much taller than I am. Full curves, although that could be because she has recently had a baby. Black hair, heart-shaped face. Pretty in a severe type of way. And young. Exactly Royal’s type. Lovely will be the fifth girl I’ve transported out of Eden’s Keep with a baby belonging to Royal. Who knows how many are still in there, waiting for the kind of love they dreamed about as girls, only to find that Royal Landry is a monster. The baby snuffles again, putting my thoughts on the back burner for about the 50th time tonight, and drawing my attention back to the matter at hand.
“How old is she?” I ask, reaching out a finger to run it over the baby’s soft cheek.
“Three days. Royal doesn’t know she’s been born yet. It’s not his day to visit.”
Well, that and he’s been a little busy selling women.
“Come on, we better get you both strapped in and warm. We’ll figure out what to do when we get home.”
“Um, where is home?”
“Home for me is Rose Grove, a few hours from here. You’re not going there though. It’s too close to the Prophet and the rest of those assholes. I’m taking you to my brothers who will transport you further away from Eden’s Keep and Royal Landry. Don’t worry, you’re safe with us.”
Turning on my phone to see missed messages from the kids and Tav, I quickly reply to Niko to let him know I’m safe. I have arescue with me and I’ll be home as quick as I can. He replies that they’re all safe and well and he’ll get the kids off to school. That’s not his job, it’s mine. If I drive nonstop, I’ll be back at first light and tell him so, but he says not to worry and then calls me an old lady. Little shit. Typing that he’s a smart ass, I hit send and then lean back against the headrest, letting out a sigh.
“You two OK back there?” I turn to look over my shoulder, checking in on Lovely. She still looks fucking terrified, but her baby suckling at her seems to have calmed her nerves.
“Yes, we’re OK. Little miss was just hungry,” she gazes down at her daughter, a soft smile on her face.
“What’s her name?” I ask, turning to face forward, starting the engine and turning the heater on to warm up.
“Um, I haven’t named her yet. I was waiting for Royal, but I-I heard some bad things about him from the other wives. How, he, um, he won’t wait for you to heal before he takes his husbandly rights. I-I had a hard delivery, and I didn’t think I would be able to, um, service him. I went to ask for help from one of the older women, but then I, um, I,” She cuts off abruptly, tears in her eyes and her chest heaving, as if on the verge of a panic attack.
“Lovely! Name 5 things you can see,” my voice stern with the command.
“You, the trees, my baby, my favorite embroidery, and your yellow handbag.”
By the time she’s finished rattling this off, her breathing is back to normal. Huh, that was fast. Maybe she’s stronger than I gave her credit for?
“OK, Lovely, can you tell me what happened when you went to find an older woman for help?” I soften my voice as much as I can, but I have a feeling whatever she’s going to say is going to piss me off.
She nods miserably. “I overheard her saying to another woman that Royal will be so happy with our new baby girl. He’sbeen stressed because he has a buyer, but the other wives had given birth to boys. They, um, they said he’s going to sell my daughter. I had to leave. I had to!”
That motherfucker. And all those motherfucking women, complicit in his schemes. I need them on my list.
“Lovely, when we get to my brothers, I need you to write the names of the women. I’ll sort this all out.”