Page 50 of Malachi
“So. As my brothers one by one told their wives of the plan, new information surfaced,” he continued after a pause.
“What kind of information?”
“This feels wrong to talk about.” He hesitated, rubbing his hands over his thighs for a moment.
“Why?” I questioned, not understanding.
“Because it’s not my story to tell.” When I continued to look at him in confusion, he explained. “I make it a point not to share someone else’s secret, or their experience, without their expressed consent, but at the same time, I think you need to know.” I nodded, understanding dawning. I could tell it was not an easy thing for him to share such secrets.
“As I’ve already told you, my brothers and I are all a part of the BDSM community. They have explored these kinks with their wives as well. During a scene with his wife, Zeke discovered a truth none of us were ready to hear, let alone face.”
I sat there with bated breath as he paused. This would not be a happy story, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear the truth or not. The need to know the truth in all its forms outweighed any hesitation I felt, however.
My stomach turned and horror filled me as he told me the truth about Talia, and then about Naomi. It was a truth so horrific, I couldn’t have created it even in my imagination.
“The Elders are kidnapping children,” I muttered, repeating his words sometime after he had finished the gruesome story.
“Yes,” he sighed heavily.
“Which is why Levi called the FBI,” I repeated.
“Yes,” he muttered.
“After the Elders caught on that he wasn’t necessarily on their side.”
“Exactly.” He was letting me work through the truth, uncaring that I was essentially parroting back his words.
“So he’s been playing the part — as really you all have — this entire time until you all can take down the lot of them.”
“That is the plan now, yes,” he agreed. The heaviness that weighed down the very air in the room made it hard to breathe. These people were my family. They —
“My father,” I gasped, as I realized the full weight of this truth.
“Yes,” he admitted with so much pain that it echoed my own. My hands flew to my mouth as I struggled to fully comprehend that not only was my father aware of such atrocities, but that he was a part of it. A willing and active participant in the kidnapping, abuse, and selling of girls.
“I feel sick,” I admitted, gulping audibly as I felt bile rise in my throat.
“I’m so sorry, Eden.” His voice was full of pain that mirrored my own. And why wouldn’t it? He surely felt everything I did. His own father was just as guilty as mine.
“I’m sorry, too, Kai,” I spoke with just as much sincerity. Our eyes met, locking together as we shared a moment of grief and pain over the choices and crimes of our fathers.
“So, with all of that said, Levi called the FBI. What happens now?” I asked in a huff, needing to move the conversation along. That look we shared was so vulnerable it was making me almost uncomfortable under the weight of it. It made me want to go to him, to wrap myself around him until I didn’t feel alone any longer.
“The plan is to lay low and be careful while my brothers and I look for proof,” he admitted heavily.
“But we have proof,” I argued, my brow scrunching up in confusion.
“We don’t,” he argued simply.
“We do. We have Talia and Naomi. I’m sure both would be willing to come forward,” I disputed.
“Sure they would, but it’s not enough. With the religious freedom laws, the Elders have become slippery as snakes, able to deflect the law time and time again, to my understanding,” he scoffed in mock humor.
“So they are just getting away with it, evading the law and continuing with these aggressions,” I stated. It wasn’t a question, but more a feeling of hopelessness.
“Exactly. So we need to work together to find proof suitable for the FBI to come in with a warrant that they can’t question.” I stood, moving to sit beside him and taking his hand.
“We will find it, Kai. Together,” I assured him with a squeeze of his hand.
