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“Out!” Neil waved around a rifle. He’d removed his hockey uniform and now appeared to be in a tux, but it was hard to tell while he was backlit.
Ariana and Bella both scooted toward the doors, not making much progress due to the restraints.
“Faster!” Diego snapped.
Before she had a chance to try to speed up, someone grabbed her ankles and yanked her toward the door. She bumped her head on something hard. Something else scratched her arm, tore her dress. Her leopard ears were still pinned to her hair.
She flew through the air. Hands grabbed her. Forced her onto the ground. Shoved her against the van. One ankle buckled, but it didn’t twist. She’d still be able to walk once the tape was removed, not that it’d be easy in heels on a gravelly road.
Neil yanked Bella from the vehicle then forced her next to Ariana. “This is what’s going to happen.”
Bella whimpered.
He slapped her.
Her father looked on with approval.
A fire burned in Ariana’s gut as she stared at the sad excuse of a man who should be protecting his daughter.
“Not another complaint,” Neil spat, glaring at the woman he thought he was engaged to. “We’re here at the original church building. The women are getting it ready for our wedding. Your smutty, devil-worshiping costume has to go. No woman of mine is ever going to celebrate that pagan day. Got it?”
Bella just stared at him.
“Got it?” Spittle flew from his mouth onto her face.
The only thing keeping Ariana from attacking him was the duct tape.
Bella nodded, tears shining in her eyes.
“Good. Your mother is inside with your wedding dress. She’s going to put it on you, and you’re going to be the obedient, submissive woman you’re supposed to be. No more of this running away or celebrating Halloween nonsense. You had your fun. Now it’s over. Understood?”
Bella nodded again, this time tears falling from her eyes.
Ariana looked around. Woods surrounded them on every side. She didn’t see the church Neil had mentioned.
Muffled words came from behind Bella’s duct tape.
“Her?” Neil scowled as he glanced at Ariana. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with her yet. She wasn’t part of the plan, and she certainly can’t be part of the wedding. She isn’t pure.”
Bella said more that couldn’t be understood, squirming.
Neil smacked her again. “Enough!” He turned to Diego. “Cut their ankle ties. We’ll need them to walk. I don’t feel like carrying anyone.”
Diego pulled out a pocketknife, opened it, then cut his daughter’s. He glowered at Ariana. “We should leave her here. The wild animals will take care of her, and we’ll be innocent of her blood.”
Bella shook her head, and more muffled words came from behind the tape over her mouth.
Neil raised a hand, and she stopped. He lowered it. “Cut the pagan’s tie.”
Diego sliced the tape around Ariana’s ankles.
She stumbled before regaining her balance.
“Follow us,” Neil demanded. He and Diego walked ahead.
Ariana and Bella exchanged a look. With the men not looking their way, they could make a run for it.
Neil turned around and aimed his rifle at them. “Now!”
