Page 19 of Forgive Me Father

"You plan on delivering Eden a punishment as well?"

"All in good time," He sighs. "I thought she had outgrown the need for me to discipline her, but it would seem the Devil has found his way back into her life-"

Taking a step closer, I get in the man's face, my nose inches away from his as I look down several inches at him. Throwing on a false smile, I pat the front of his shirt.

"God is always watching, David," I whisper. "I am always watching, too." Pulling my lips to his ear, I don't hold my tongue. "I've always felt the need to offer punishment to the sinners who need extra motivation to return to God’s path, be that mothers or fathers, sons or daughters. I’m not sure what your brand of punishment is but," I push, theorizing this man is a glorified fucking pedophile. "You can deal with Eden by your own hand, or you could allow me the opportunity to give her some new insight," I smile, watching something shift in his expression.

"So, you saw the list?" He questions, a devilish grin spanning across his face. "I wondered if Kevin had invited another enthusiast into the church. It would seem he has."

I draw a blank, knowing the altar servers’ signup sheet isn’t the list he’s referring to. My intuition wrenched a tightness in my chest as he grinned.

"Of course," I smile, doing my best to be agreeable, despite having no idea what this fucking means.

"Quite the lineup this year," He smiles. "Tell you what, you can do as you please with her. Punishments are all yours," He smiles. "My son, however, is off limits."

My stomach twists at his words. Reaching my hand out, I smile at the man.

"Let her feel God’s wrath, Father.”

Holding onto the man's hand, I stop him from retreating inside.

"And what about the list? Where can I get clarity on my role in all of this?" I question.

Patting me on the shoulder, the man looks gleeful.

"I thought Kevin would’ve told you everything?”

"He did, mostly," I lie. "It's been a long day."

The last thing I need is David discovering I’m not part of his inner circle. I need to know what’s going on here.

I fear David Faulkner's position in the church is far more influential than anything I could’ve imagined.

"I should get inside. You have a blessed night, Father."

Watching him slip inside, I remain standing on the porch as I try to unravel the sticky web of details that are far too vague for me to untangle.

I’d been accepted into the church, taking an oath to serve under God.

But what was Father Kevin'srole in all of this?

Why did the man really leave?

What does that mean for my role in all of this?

Glancing over my shoulder, I meet Eden’s gaze through the window before she bows her head as her father takes a seat at the table.

One thing’s for sure.

David Faulkner will be hauled off in a body bag if he ever lays a hand on her again.

Chapter 6

Eden

Iget a sick feeling as I watch Roman descend the steps of our home.

"You mind if I see Father Briar off and say thank you for bringing me home?"