Page 307 of Redeemed

“We think so,” Wes replies. “We walked the perimeter and found a road that cuts through the woods. My guess is it connects to a main road a mile or so west of here. But the important thing is that it looks like it goes through a hill that slopes downward right outside the perimeter.”

“Where does it lead to?” Kellan asks.

“Other than somewhere into Cornerstone, we don’t know. There’s a large metal door that probably leads into some kind of garage, but we can’t open it without the PIN for the keypad.”

Lucas perks up. “I can crack it. It’ll probably take me less than ten minutes.”

“Perfect,” Kellan says.

“What’s on the other side of the wall?” I ask. “Like, which buildings?”

“Hmm. To the left, we have the church and what we’re assuming is some type of community building, and to the right, what looks like the parsonage. All the other residential buildings are farther into the compound.”

“It probably leads to the house, then,” I say. “I don’t know much about this place other than what Haven and Julie have said, but I know enough about cult leaders. Beckham probably comes and goes secretly through the tunnel. Exception to his own rules.”

“So if we can get into the tunnel,” Xander says slowly, “then…”

“Then we can get into his house,” I finish. “From there… somehow, we have to find Haven.”

“Kellan and I are going to head back into town and grab a couple more drones,” Wes says. “Hopefully, we can be more discreet this time, and we can find which residential building she’s in. It looks like a mix of townhomes and apartments.”

“Perfect,” I say. “The more information you can get us, the better. We can’t risk this going sideways and getting Haven killed.”

It causes me physical pain, knowing we can’t barge into Cornerstone tonight and grab her. But we need time to prepare. We only have one chance to save Haven, and we can’t fuck it up.

“Once we have her, we can get her out the way we came in,” I say. “Or, if things go wrong, then we can have people break through the front gate. But hopefully that doesn’t happen.”

“Who’s gonna do that?” Wes asks.

“We’ve recruited a few Rooks,” I reply. “Currently, they’re just for backup. But if we can find Haven with the drones and figure out where she’ll be, then that might change, depending on where she is.”

“Makes sense,” Kellan says.

I run a hand through my hair, thinking. “Now all we have to do is figure out a way to make sure no one from Cornerstone follows us once we have Haven again.”

Xander grins. “Oh, I have the perfect idea.”

Haven

Ilienumblyonthe kitchen floor as tears trail down my cheeks. Isaiah’s cum slowly dripped out of me hours ago and has now dried onto my skin. My core aches from how rough he was, and I have bruises on my sides from him taking out his frustration on me. All because I couldn’t muster up a good enough attitude for him.

Last night, Isaiah held me against him again while he slept. I cried silently until desperation found me. For the first time in years, I prayed. I begged a god I don’t even believe in to kill Isaiah in his sleep so he’d never touch me again.

Obviously, my prayer wasn’t answered.

Isaiah left for work after breakfast, but I don’t know exactly how long it’s been. I don’t think it’s morning anymore, which means my appointment is soon.

My appointment.

The doctors will find out about my IUD. They’ll know I lied to Isaiah. And because they’re good and righteous Christian women, they’ll tell him.

He’s going to kill me.

I’ve thought that before, but it was always my anxiety. Now, it’s common sense. He forgave me once, but this is a betrayal that will cut deeper than all of the others. When he finds out I lied to him, he’ll know I’m not truly repentant.

What’s the point of giving someone another chance if they won’t take it?

There are kids laughing outside and enjoying the spring weather. It hurts, wondering how many of them will end up in a position similar to mine. Will any of them ever want to leave? Will they be able to?

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