Page 65 of Protected By the Sinner

“I know whatever’s in there isn’t even a tenth of what you found out.”

“It’s a fundamentalist cult whose so-called supreme leader created aninformalsystem of polygamy—outside of marriage. He convinced his followers that he was authorized by God to unite them, so they didn’t need any documents recognized by man’s laws. We can’t be sure of everything that goes on in there—”

“Goes on? As in present tense?”

“Yes, they still exist.” I can see the disgust on his face. “Only someone on the inside could describe it in detail, but I know the basics. And I can tell you this: for the children, life there is pure hell.” He pauses, watching me closely—waiting for me to put the pieces together.

“You’re telling me Amber comes from a fundamentalist cult? Or am I losing my mind?”

“Let me finish, and you can draw your own conclusions. The problem with this ‘informal marriage’ is that it involves girls as young as fifteen. They are assigned to a group of six men called elders or prophets. These men can have as many wives as they want and even swap them among themselves. Beyondthe obvious pedophilia, there is incest. Whether the girls are daughters or nieces doesn’t matter—they are considered the elders’ property.”

“Jesus Christ. Where are these girls’ mothers?”

“Ever read up on cults like this? The members undergo total brainwashing. The mothers are convinced that allowing their daughters to serve the elders, especially the supreme leader, is a great honor.”

I can see the revulsion on his face. Ruslan lost a teenage granddaughter—a child, really—who was murdered at the request of a pedophile.

“How did you get this information?”

“From a woman who used to be a member and managed to escape. But she was only there briefly, just long enough to provide a glimpse of what goes on behind those walls.”

“Walls?”

“A massive property where the members live. No technology, no comforts. No electricity. No running water. Nothing.”

“Why hasn’t the government stepped in?”

“I asked my lawyers the same question. They said it’s likely there hasn’t been sufficient probable cause for a search warrant. No one has ever come forward to make a formal complaint. It’s all just rumors.”

“And meanwhile, children suffer at the hands of those monsters. I prefer our brand of justice.”

He nods in agreement and continues. “From what we know, at first, adult women were brought in to bear children. Then, once they had enough, they were cast aside—and their daughters took their place asbreeders.”

God. I thought I’d seen some dark shit in my life, but what he’s telling me now takes it to another level.

“How did Amber escape?”

“I don’t know. But she fled with her older sister before turning ten. I can’t confirm what she went through—only she can. But as I said before, people aren’t just black and white.”

“Why are you telling me this?

“I’ve known you for over twenty years, and I’ve never seen you bring a woman home. You’ve been with this girl for months. And now, she’s carrying your child.”

He hasn’t given me even half the answers I need. Instead, he’s opened the door to even more questions.

“A painful childhood doesn’t justify betrayal.”

“No. But it teaches people how to survive. Maybe there’s a reason Amber did what she did. I’m a terrible advisor, especially when it comes to betrayal and enemies, but just remember this: the woman who deceived you is carrying your child. Maybe, before you judge her, you should hear what she has to say.”

“This isn’t like you.”

“No, it’s not. But I’m old enough to try seeing things from a different angle. No matter how much you hate her right now, Amber, as the mother of your child, will always be family. The bond between you is unbreakable.”

“What did you find out about her and the Italians?”

“So far, only what you already know: that they used her to get to you. But not why she agreed to it. Maybe her sister has the answers. Still, I’ll give you something to think about: Amber changed her identity, but from what I could find, she was never involved in any crimes. So why, out of nowhere, would she suddenly get mixed up with the Sicilian mafia in New Orleans?”

It’s too much information—and none of it adds up.