Page 122 of Forgive Me Father

I stomp on David’s hand. He screams, his companions readying to pounce.

Prepared, I draw my Glock from my waistband, aiming it at David’s head.

“I fucking did it to Eric, and I’ll gladly do it to this piece of shit,” I hiss. “If any of you try anything, I’ll have DHS in here in minutes,” I warn, hoping my bluff isn’t too obvious.

“Do not fucking threaten me in this house,” David sneers, glancing at the statue of Jesus above the altar.

“I’m taking Eden and Aiden, and we’re getting the hell out of Idlewood,” I declare, ready to put a bullet in every one of these fuckers’ heads.

“You’ll regret this, Roman,” David spits.

“Yeah?” I retort. “Apparently you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

I aim for a femoral artery in David’s leg and fire. The shot rings out with a sickening satisfaction. His scream echoes off the walls. I level the gun at anyone who tries to approach, my finger poised on the trigger.

“I’m leaving,” I snap. “Call the cops, and you’ll just make DHS more suspicious,” I threaten.

Gun still in hand, I snatch the portfolio and shove past anyone in my way, heading for the doors.

“You’ll fucking regret this!” David’s voice, pained and desperate, follows me.

I turn, raise the gun, and fire again, hitting his hand with grim pleasure.

As he screams, I smile, bloodlust consuming me.

“I fucking quit,” I growl. “All of you will burn in Hell.”

Without another word, I exit, determined to get Eden far away from this nightmare.

“Roman, what’s going on—”

“Grab your things, Eden. There’s no time to explain. We’re going to your place, then getting the hell out of here. Just until things blow over.”

I toss a few essentials into a duffel bag, keeping the one thing most precious to me close at hand. Eden’s eyes, heavy with sleep and confusion, follow my hurried movements.

“Roman, I need some answers—”

“They put you on the bidding list, baby,” I snap, cupping her face in my hands. “They put you on the bidding, and I need to keep you safe. Please, listen to me. They’re all here. We have to get out before they realize we’re still around.”

Finally, she nods in agreement, her fear palpable.

We exit the house and sprint to my car. I make sure Eden is secure before ripping the plates off the front and back, tossing them in the backseat. Starting the engine, I see people beginningto pour out of the church. I back out quickly, keeping the lights off, and make a break for it.

As we hit the main highway, my hands tremble with adrenaline.

“Roman—”

“Hand me my phone,” I whisper, watching her reach for it. The screen is filled with missed calls from Kevin. My cover is blown.

“Call Echo,” I command, trying to steady my breathing.

The phone rings several times before Echo picks up, his groggy voice laced with irritation.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Roman. It’s like 3 a.m. my time—”

“Echo, shut the fuck up,” I snap, my mind racing. “I need your help. This isn’t the fucking time to ridicule my life choices. Do you still work for DHS?”

“Yeah—”