Page 76 of Forgive Me Father

That fucking rat. Zack ran to David the moment I let my guard down. I’ll have to deal with him later—God help him if we’re ever alone again.

"You should know better than anyone, Father, women are a temptation. If you were to, say, care for my daughter in any way beyond instilling discipline and devotion, you’d deface the very nature of that ring around your finger."

"It sounds like you’re throwing out quite a few accusations, David," I mutter, a smile finally creeping across his face. It’s the smile of a man who thinks he’s won, who thinks he has me cornered.

"I know my daughter, Father. She’s not a clean woman," David whispers, leaning closer. "Consider this a friendly warning, man to man."

As he turns away, I see the truth for what it is. He has suspicions about Eden and me. This whole meeting—every word he’s spoken—was just a way to tighten the leash around my neck.

The rest of the meeting becomes a dull hum of conversation in the background, their words cryptic, deliberately keeping me in the dark about where the kids are.

As the group shifts from business to banter, I catch Seth’s eye, his expression guarded. "What does he want from Eden?" I ask, keeping my voice low.

"Complete submission," Seth shrugs, his eyes dropping as he mumbles the words.

I grip the sides of my chair, forcing myself to remain calm.

"She hasn’t bled," I lie, speaking a little louder so the group can hear, feeding into the sick narrative David has constructed. I turn to him, my face indifferent. “You claim she carries sin, yet she’s as innocent as our Mother Mary."

"A virgin?" David muses, his tone shifting as if he’s seeing Eden in a new light, as if he’s reassessing her value. He picks up on the conversation, eyes narrowing in thought.

"Yes," I say, standing slowly, the chair scraping against the floor. "I suppose the price tag doesn’t quite fit the description for both her and Zoey—"

"Can you prove she still holds the light of Mary within her?" David asks, his voice a low rumble as the room falls silent. "Can you prove she is both submissive and untouched by a man?"

My mind races, searching for an answer that won’t trap me further.

The thought of proving something so twisted turns my stomach, but I know I can’t afford to show weakness here.

I tap my foot, stalling for time, shaking my head slowly as if pondering the impossibility of his request.

"If I can, she stays out of the bidding?" I ask, my voice steady, masking the storm brewing inside me. David’s head tilts, his eyes narrowing as he considers my proposition.

"If you can prove it," David whispers, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Then yes. She has no place in the bidding."

I nod slowly, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

This is all for show. He thinks I won’t be able to prove it. He thinks he’s already won.

"Deal," I say with a grin, extending my hand. "If I’m wrong, you may do as you please with her."

David hesitates, just for a heartbeat, before gripping my hand. His hold is firm, almost crushing, as he pulls me closer, his mouth brushing my ear. A cold shiver snakes down my spine as his words slither through the air.

"If I find out you are not one of us, and you’re corrupting my daughter’s soul with your heresies, I will make you watch her bidding and force you to witness the outcome. I can smell a heretic from a mile away, Roman, and your stench is unmistakable. I’ve sanctified my hands in this church’s holy water, and I will gladly drown you in it if I discover you’ve been leading her astray."

He releases me, the threat hanging between us like a blade poised to strike. Then, as if flipping a switch, he slips back into his charming facade, excusing himself with a smile as the others begin to leave. But as the doors close behind him, the tension doesn’t dissipate—it thickens, wrapping around me like a noose.

In my life, I’ve faced many demons. But I never thought I’d come face to face with the Devil himself.

A new resolve hardens within me, cold and unyielding. He’s underestimated me. They all have. And that will be their downfall.

The room empties, leaving me alone with my thoughts. But there’s no time to dwell. I can feel the clock ticking, each second a countdown to the moment when everything will come to a head.

The Devil might think he’s won this round, but I’ve got my own cards to play.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. The final act is approaching, and when it does, I’ll be ready.

Let him come. Let them all come. I’m going to bring the whole damn house down.