“Don’t stop on my account.” A woman’s voice announces to the congregation, making my chest painfully squeeze.
No. No. No. I don’t believe it.
“LeAnne.” My father says the name and smiles. “I thought you’d want to join in on the fun.”
Blinking, tears roll down my face.
Matt thrashes in his restraints while Valerie sobs on her knees.
I see a figure out of the corner of my eye start climbing the stairs to the left. I can’t help but look at it. Long dark hair that flows down her back in big waves. She’s dressed like she’s going to a funeral. Big black hat with a black lace veil covering half her face. A tight-fitting black dress with a long train. Coming to the loft, she turns to face the congregation and I hear the Lord members sitting in the pews gasp at her beauty. The woman screams power and radiates wealth. She’s stunning with sun-kissed skin and big blue eyes. Lips that look to be done—but not overly big—painted fire engine red.
I look just like her.
“I don’t understand.” Ryat is the first one to speak. “I saw you die.”
“No. you saw me laying on the floor. You never checked to see if I was dead.” LeAnne corrects him.
He scratches the back of his neck, taking a step back. The fact that he’s truly bothered by this, makes me even more nervous.
She goes to stand in front of Valerie, her hands on her slim hips. “You put a hit out on me.” The sounds of her slapping her follows. “Because you didn’t want Blakely knowing the truth.” She laughs, gripping her face and shoving her head back forcing Valerie to look up at her. “If it wasn’t for me, you would have never had the chance to be a mom. It’s not my fault you failed.” LeAnne shoves her away.
Valerie sobs, her head falling forward.
“And you,” She walks over to Matt who continues to thrash around. “You wanted to rape me. Men always think their dick gives them power.” She reaches out and grabs him between the legs, making him throw his head back and scream into his gag. “This makes you weak.” She snaps her fingers, and my father walks over to her, a knife in hand. He holds it out to her, and she let’s go of Matt just in time to stab him between his parted legs. The Lords all groan when she yanks it out and blood pours down Matt’s legs to the floor, screaming into his gag. “And let’s make it clear—you pushed me.”
My eyes fly to Ryat, and he’s seemed to have composed himself. His fisted hands and heavy breathing show his anger over the turn of events. “How …？”
“I knew you were coming.” She interrupts my husband and looks over at my father. “He gave me a heads-up.” She laughs softly. “I ordered the hit on Nathaniel. I requested you.” She presses a black pointed fingernail into my husband’s chest and my teeth grind at the contact. “Then Phil informed me that you had a partner. I knew his reasons for tagging along immediately. All because of your wife.”
Ryat stiffens but shoves her hand away from his body while I sit up straighter when her eyes land on mine. “Bring her up.”
Two men grip my upper arms and I’m yanked up from my seat. “Don’t touch me!” I shout, trying to get my arms loose but they effortlessly drag me up the stairs.
“What the fuck,” Ryat barks, rushing over to me once we hit the landing. He yanks me free of the two men.
“It’s quite alright.” LeAnne says, gesturing to me and Ryat shoves me behind him, shielding me and the babies. “I’m not here to harm her.”
“Then don’t have your fucking dogs touch her.” He snaps.
“Quite the opposite actually.” She holds up the knife that’s still covered in Matt’s blood, handing it out to me handle first. “I’m here to give her what she wants. Revenge.”
My heart is pounding, my adrenaline soaring. Swallowing I step out from behind Ryat and look at her. I reach out with a shaky hand and take it from her. “Is this … is this an initiation?” I ask and my voice shakes. Am I being tested? If so, why isn’t Ryat in on it? He looks confused and pissed.
“No.” She takes a step back. “This is for fun, darling. Mommy here sold you to the Winston’s to keep her secret of sending Matt to kill me.”
My eyes widen and look down at Valerie. She’s still sobbing, rocking back and forth on her knees. “That’s why you were so obsessed with me marrying Matt?” I demand. “You were willingly going to hand me over to him because Dad was still talking to my birth mother?”