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She couldn’t quite explain why, but in that moment, she associated Silas with safety. Sadie always did, even in the past.
Sadie vividly recalled the look of concern on Silas’s face when he carried her up the stairs. He had also looked furious, although that anger wasn’t directed at her, but at the man who hurt her. Seeing that expression on his face secretly thrilled her, although Sadie would never tell anyone that, least of all him.
Don’t be naive, a dark voice in her head whispered. After all, Silas might have agreed to take her out of pity or a twisted sense of responsibility.
Yet, the horrible truth remained that he had left the priesthood because of her—because he had helped her all those years ago, saving her from a boyfriend who had crossed boundaries, who failed to comprehend the meaning of the word “no.”
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. Why did Sadie find herself constantly entangled in these types of messes? Did she have a magnet that attracted the wrong kind of men? What was Sadie going to do now? She couldn’t go back home. Hell, Sadie had nowhere else to go, especially if Silas eventually decided Sadie was more trouble than she was worth.
Emery swore he’d keep their little escape a secret, but she had no illusions—her old man was probably out looking for her right now. Her father couldn’t care less about her well-being. All he’d be concerned with was the fact that without Sadie in the picture, the whole arranged marriage with Mason would be up in smoke. Her father only cared about paying off his debts.
She curled to her side. Sadie hit a new level of feeling utterly alone. She lost track of time, just wallowing in self-pity until a knock on the door startled her back to reality. It could be Silas, she thought, and that flicker of hope was enough to get her sitting up, even though every move made her wince. She frantically ran her fingers through her hair, wanting to look somewhat presentable.
God, she was so pathetic. Stressing about her looks at a time like this was ridiculous but once upon a time, she didn’t just have a silly girl crush on Silas. She had been uttered obsessed with him and was pretty sure it wasn’t one-sided.
Her heart hammered as Silas sauntered into the room, balancing a tray of what smelled like mouthwatering soup. The aroma alone triggered a low rumble from her stomach, a reminder that she couldn’t even recall the last time she had a proper meal.
Silas—now just Priest, she corrected herself.
As she took a moment to scrutinize him more closely, the differences from the Silas she remembered struck her like a revelation. The last time they crossed paths, she was taken aback to see him out of his priestly vestments and collar. Back then, his hair had been neatly trimmed and he wasn’t this … bulked up. Black ink now sleeved both his arms, and more tattoos peeked from beneath the collar of his shirt. His face had become harder, meaner. There was an unmistakable darker edge to him now.
The Father Silas she had known, the one who wouldn’t harm a single soul, seemed like a distant memory. The biker standing before her now had the eyes of a killer. The realization hit her hard—this wasn’t the same man she once knew. Despite the changes, she still found herself drawn to him more than ever.
“Good, you’re awake. Hope you’re hungry,” Priest said gruffly.
Sadie’s eyes met his, and for a fleeting moment, she swore she glimpsed the considerate Silas she had known in the past.
He hesitated for a beat, holding a tray laden with steaming food. With deliberate care, he set the tray down on a nearby surface. Sadie couldn’t help but watch his movements anxiously.
Instead of settling on the edge of the bed, as she had secretly hoped, Priest opted for the chair nearby. A pang of momentary disappointment hit Sadie, then it disappeared as he met her gaze with those iron-grey eyes she often dreamed about.
“I am hungry,” she admitted, her stomach grumbling in agreement.
Reaching for the bowl of soup, Sadie winced as her fingers trembled slightly while bringing it to her lips. The glance Priest shot her didn’t escape her notice, his eyes darkening with rage. Determined not to appear completely helpless, she forced herself to steady her fingers before taking a sip. There, better. She wasn’t about to let him think she couldn’t handle herself.
“Finish it all up,” he instructed, his voice carrying a note of authority that sent an unexpected shiver of anticipation down her spine. “Doc will be here in a few minutes,” Priest informed her, diverting her attention.
“Doc?” Sadie asked, confused.
“An MC brother and our new in-house doctor. He lost his license two years ago, but he’s good at his job,” Priest explained.
Sadie nodded, absorbing the information. A knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach. She knew the inevitable questions were coming—why was she here, what had happened to her? She owed him answers, at the very least. No one else would extend a helping hand to a stranger they barely knew from the past.
Sadie took a few deep breaths, gathering her thoughts.
“You’re probably wondering how I ended up here,” she began, looking down at her hands.
“Never in a million years did I imagine seeing you in a place like this, Sadie,” he replied.
She swallowed, momentarily captivated by the way he said her name. It was as if he was savoring each syllable, rolling it off his tongue like he was enjoying fine whiskey.
“How did you even find me?” he asked, leaning against his chair.
Sadie finally met his eyes. Priest had helped her without hesitation, and withholding the truth was not an option. So, she told him everything—her arranged marriage to Mason Prescott, the mounting pressure from her father, and the desperation that led her to track down Father Nick.
“Father Nick gave me your address. He seemed reluctant to do so, but something I said must’ve convinced him,” she said. As the words spilled out, a wave of relief filled her. There. Everything was now out in the open. Sadie was emptied of all her secrets and it felt good.
There was a brief, contemplative silence, during which Sadie couldn’t help but wonder about the thoughts traversing Priest’s mind. Thankfully, he didn’t keep her in suspense for long.
