Page 44

Kameron

I wanted to leave this place. I wanted to be with Elliott and the guys, but I also wanted to stay because the need to end Everton and the Donovan family was my top priority. I’ve never wanted to leave a mission just as badly as I’ve wanted to stay in it.

Ever since my arrival a few days ago, Everton has been uneventful.

Well, except for the constant Samuel tantrums that were sweeping the town.

He finally sent out an invite to all of the community members to attend a dinner because he wanted to address Eden and how this was going to affect the town moving forward.

The members of Everton were all on edge by her disappearance and the fact that she was able to get away so effortlessly. There were talks about the community coming to light in the outside world, talks they never wanted released to the public .

I had to play along in these discussions when in fact I was the outsider, guilty of all they were anxious about.

I’m wearing the Everton colors as I drive up to the cathedral for the mandatory dinner.

Men and women flood inside and I seamlessly follow them to the dining hall.

It feels different from when I was sworn in, eerier than before, which says something because it’s always felt like a fucked up place.

Recent events only added to the atmosphere.

I’m not sure if it's Samuel’s orders, his mood swings and temper, or the fact that Elliot was the only light in this place and now she was gone.

We take our seats behind the name plates as housemaids arrive to fill up drinks. People talk in hushed tones and as I scan the long table, I see Lianne taking her seat. She must feel me watching because her eyes land on me once her seat is pushed in.

I might not know a lot about her, but she always seemed so confident. Since I arrived back, she’s been nothing but scared. She shrinks down, waiting to fade into the background like everyone else.

Samuel comes through the doors with his mother at his side. Lianne and I look away, standing with the other Everton members until he motions for us to sit, Mrs. Donovan sitting next to him.

“I want to thank all of you for coming on such short notice,” He addresses the room, still standing at the head of the table. His appearance seems off, his hair isn’t smoothed out and his eyes look sunken in as if he hasn’t been sleeping.

Good.

“I wanted to address any concerns about my actions lately and questions you may have.”

I internally roll my eyes at his lack of real emotions.

He’s coming off as if he hasn’t been acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum when something’s taken away from him…

something that didn’t belong to him in the first place.

The only difference was that a toddler would move on.

Samuel…he wasn’t giving up. He actually believed that Elliott was his to claim.

Over my dead body.

“I know I’ve been distracted from my community duties with the ongoing search for my Chosen wife.

Eden’s greatly missed at home,” He places a hand out next to him and Mrs. Donovan embraces it with a stone-like look on her face.

I don’t buy this bullshit. “My mother and I, the community,” his voice alters into a whimper, “has already lost my father, a great leader to not only us but to this family. And now Eden was taken from us. She’s scared, alone, and without her Divine-given family.

” Samuel pauses, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he might cry.

He doesn’t care if she’s happy or safe. He only cares if he has control.

“I just want her home safely. The Divine has been in contact with me.” The whole room collectively holds their breath, “They have shown a path that we’re destined to walk, to provide the next heir to the Vessel bloodline. The Divine is displeased with the interruption.”

My blood begins to boil. He thinks he’ll be getting an heir from Elliott.

He is fucking mad. I dig my fingers into my dress pants under the table.

My face stays perfectly still, hiding the anger brewing inside of me.

I’ve had a lot of practice playing these kinds of roles, but this one is challenging because I have to listen to this fucker talk about Elliott like he owns her.

He doesn’t get any piece of her ever again.

Hunter, Marcus, and I will make sure of it.

“I hope you understand, as Children of the Divine, that my duties are to follow what the Divine needs. And what they need is Eden back. I also hope that this dinner and my words ease any tension you might’ve felt since her abduction.

” He bows his head and begins to sit but a hand rises across from me.

“Yes, Mr. Crawson?” Samuel returns to his feet with a sour tone in his voice as he addresses the man at the table.

Mr. Crawson bows his head, “Thank you, Mr. Donovan for allowing me to voice my question. I wanted to address what many of us have been feeling.” He gestures around the table as the others begin to shift in their seats.

“Has the community of Everton become compromised? We know that we’ve never wanted to be a part of the rest of the world, they don’t have the same…

faith and lifestyle we care for. They are non-believers of the Divine.

I just want to make sure that what we’ve built in this ev er-changing world isn’t going to be compromised because of some girl . ”

Samuel raises his hand to stop Mr. Crawson, “Do not refer to my wife, the Divine Vessel’s Chosen, as ‘ some girl ’. Are you questioning the Divine themselves, Mr. Crawson?”

“No. N-no, sir.” Mr. Crawson stutters at the venom in Samuel’s voice. “I simply want reassurance as a Child of the Divine that we’re safe.”

“Safe?” Samuel chuckles, “You’re worried about your safety when Eden was taken by who knows, to who knows where?

” Samuel rubs the back of his neck, “Mr. Crawson, everyone,” he takes a deep breath, “I can assure you, you are safer than Eden. Your roles in the community and your faith are not being threatened.” He glares at the table and Mrs. Donovan pulls at his arm, whispering something to him.

He closes his eyes, looking like he’s trying to compose himself.

“With that being said, please enjoy this meal as a family, a community, and as Children of the Divine.” He motions to his right-hand man, who orders the housemaids to bring out the food.

Lianne looks at me with concern written all over her face and I try my best to use my eyes to ease her nerves but her husband next to her takes her attention away from me before I can.

I thank the housemaid who brings me my meal and continue with the mind-numbing small talk from the other men sitting next to me.

The wives are quiet as they eat and talk only when their husbands address them or when they are brought into the conversations.

My gaze drifts around the table as I take small bites of the chicken and roasted vegetables from my plate.

My eyes landing on Samuel, who’s already eyeing me from the head of the table.

He lifts his wine glass to me, his eyes gleaming at me with a small turn of his lips.

I give the same gesture with my water glass, bowing my head in thanks to this dinner that I don’t want to be at.

I let my lips form a smile as I grind my molars together.

I’m going to make you beg for mercy when I fucking kill you, Samuel Donovan.