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“Some of the elders’ sons vowed to end me in the name of God after their fathers were arrested.” Zach tried to look calm, but his eyes were bright with fear.
“I’ve got agents keeping eyes on them,” Jericho assured.
“Good. We’ll keep ours open, too,” Beck promised, unable to miss the worry skipping across Heavenly’s face.
They both knew if any of The Chosen discovered Gideon was still alive, there would be another war.
“Thank you for breakfast, Heavenly. That was the best ‘mush’ I’ve ever eaten.” Jericho grinned as he headed for the front door.
After a quick goodbye, Heavenly started clearing the table. “As soon as I clean up, I’m going to take a long, hot shower and do a little studying so you and Beck have some privacy. If you want a shower, too, your brother can show you to your room downstairs. There are clean towels in the bathroom and some toiletries I set out, just in case. Help yourself to anything you need. I know this isn’t the home you’re used to, but we want you to feel at home while you’re here.”
Beck settled a wistful stare on her. Just when he thought he couldn’t love Heavenly more, his little girl stole another piece of his heart.
Zach blinked back tears. “Thank you both. For everything.”
“You don’t have to thank us, man,” Beck assured. “We’re family.”
His brother let out a shaky breath. “The only family I have left.”
“Good thing we’re the sane ones.” Beck grinned.
“Amen.” Zach managed another ghost of a smile.
“Go relax in the family room. I’ll be right there.” Beck gestured across the open first floor.
As Zach settled into the chair facing the television, Beck pulled Heavenly against his chest and nuzzled her ear. “Thank you for welcoming him. I love you.”
“I love you, too. You don’t have to thank me. We’re all he’s got now.”
Beck pressed his lips to hers, pouring all the emotion lodged in his throat into their kiss. “I’ll be with you as soon as I can. I don’t know how long this will take.”
“Don’t worry about me. I have school stuff to catch up on. And he really needs you right now.”
“You sure? I hate to leave you alone.” Because he didn’t want to remind her that Seth was gone. Then again, she was probably painfully aware of it.
“Positive.”
“Just make sure you need me later, huh?” He pressed a lingering kiss to her soft mouth once more.
She gave him an extra squeeze. “Deal.”
He watched the sexy sway of Heavenly’s ass as she hurried back to the kitchen before he snagged a bottle of bourbon and a couple of glasses, then joined Zach in the living room. Beck eased onto the couch and, despite the early hour, poured them each a double shot. Then he passed a glass to his brother.
Zach sniffed it and shook his head. “I-I can’t drink this. It’s Satan’s brew.”
“Not in this world. Here, it’s just a shot of liquid courage so you can say the things you need to unburden yourself and heal.” Beck tossed back the amber liquid and welcomed the burn.
His brother took a tentative sip, then coughed and sputtered like he was choking to death. With a grimace, he set the glass down and shook his head. “I’ll find my courage through God.”
Beck shrugged. “All right. Tell me what happened after you left the lodge.”
Zach blew out a breath, as if he was reluctant to open this can of worms. “We headed to an airport and boarded a private plane to Las Vegas. I didn’t enjoy flying.”
“Was that your first time on a plane?”
He nodded. “And hopefully my last. After that, we met up with dozens of other FBI agents. Jericho ushered me into an SUV, introduced me to the special agent in charge, then we led a convoy of fifteen or twenty similar vehicles to Messiah City. Traveling down the roads to the place I’ve lived all my life, knowing I was the Messiah and that I was going to end everything wrong with our community, was surreal…but freeing.”
Beck understood. “You had nothing left to lose.”
