The men stop just feet from us, not bothering to dismount yet. I recognize one of them, David. The Enforcer’s right hand man. The one we all assume will end up taking his place as elder. He sits atop his solid black horse, slightly in front of the other men, presenting himself as the leader, so it’s not surprising when he’s the first one to speak.
“Anna Cress, Chase Hurst, Cody Booker. The three of you are under arrest.”
Say what now? Under arrest for what? I have never even heard of an arrest being made by the church, and certainly never one if its own members. What law did we break that would warrant such a thing? I told the Vater the truth, and then when they didn’t believe me, we left. We aren’t responsible for the attack on the compound. In fact, the only violence we participated in was when we were attacked trying to leave by Elder McGee. That was self-defense.
Raising his chin in the air and flashing a sneer in my direction, he speaks again, “I don’t know who the rest of you are, but you don’t belong here. Let go of the girl and walk away now before you too find yourselves under arrest.”
I’m so shocked by his words the deep belly-laugh from Luke next to me is startling. “And what gives you the authority to arrest me or my friends? I’m not a member of the church, and from what Anna tells me, she’s no longer a member either. She no longer follows The Way, so you have no hold over her. Turn around now and I’ll allow you to leave unscathed.”
While I appreciate your confidence, Luke, how about we settle down for a second. I know what these men, especially David, are capable of, and I happen to know from personal experience being a smart ass is the fastest way to piss them off.
With Luke’s words, David dismounts with a growl, his men following.
Hate to say I told ya so.
Before he can speak, Chase steps forward. “Where’s Ash?”
The evil laugh that escapes David’s lips has Chase and I both stepping forward, but Luke tugs me back.
“Your girlfriend? She’s quite the spitfire, I tell ya,” David mocks as his men laugh.
“If you touch a single hair on her head, I’ll kill you,” Chase growls back in response.
“Oh, but I already have.”
And before he can even finish the words Chase lunges.
I hear Luke curse next to me, and see Easton and Talon dive into the fray as Chase tackles David. It’s absolute chaos, arms and legs flying everywhere. Luke doesn’t seem to be inclined to leave my side, and Cody remains on my left with Tommy still oddly missing.
No one has pulled out any weapons so far, everyone seeming to enjoy the gratification of flesh hitting flesh. Chase gets in a good upper cut and David goes flying back on his butt, replaced by two members of his team. Two guys hit Chase in tandem, with a pile of men next to him, Easton and Talon on top. When their two team members we had seen on foot further back finally approach and jump in, Cody finally leaves his place at my side, diving into the pile.
I look to Luke for a sign he plans to join them, but I see no indication, only his eyes flitting back and forth, perhaps calculating the odds. When a fist connects with Cody’s face sending blood flying, I can’t take it anymore.
“Luke, they’re all gonna kill each other. We have to stop this.”
His eyes cut to mine, brimming with compassion, but he doesn’t speak. Frustrated, I rip my hand from his and charge toward the tangle of limps. Before I can dive in, a deafening crack sounds through the trees and I fall to my knees, covering my ears.
Looking up, I search for whatever might have made that horrible sound and I see Tommy, a gun in his hands, pointed at the back of David’s head.
“Nobody fucking move!” His face is twisted in anger, a vein popping out on his head. “I’ll blow his head off.”
Everyone freezes including me, although I don’t think he was talking to me. But let’s not take any chances, shall we. I kind of like my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Talon and Easton making their way to their feet, both wearing matching grins of triumph, blood staining their teeth. I’m pretty sure the blonde one, Talon maybe, is missing a piece of his ear. I might throw up.
Tommy yells for Chase and Cody to get up. Chase does easily, leaning down to give Cody a hand. They both look worse for wear but still alive. Hey, it’s the little things. The two step back a few feet, out of the line of fire, and leave David and his men on the ground. David is livid, if the look on his face is anything to go by.
Fuming, he’s the first one to speak, “What’re you gonna do, kid?”
Now that’s funny, because I happen to know David is only twenty-one. Must be an intimidation tactic.
When Tommy speak in response, it’s through clenched teeth. “Anna, do you denounce the Church of The Way?”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that, but okay. “I do. I left the church and I have no intention of going back.”
“You heard her,” Tommy spits in their direction. “Get on your horse, go back home, and leave her and her friends the hell alone.”
David starts to argue, and Tommy presses a lever of some kind on the gun, making a clicking sound causing David to shut his mouth. While David looks furious, his men look petrified. None of them have moved or spoken since Tommy fired
