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He seemed to like that idea because his lips kicked up in a smile. “I like the way you think, but I’m not surprised. After all, you are my daughter. I knew the minute your mother left you in your playpen one spring day, that she wasn’t worthy to raise you in the way of the light.”
“What do you mean? I thought that Bernadette was my mother?”
Wagner threw his head back and laughed. “Your mother was nothing but a dumb two-bit whore with no damn sense. I fucked her once, then she reached out to let me know she was pregnant. Most men would run from that situation, but I saw opportunity written all over it. I was barely beginning to form the Light of David, and I knew in my gut that you were supposed to be with me and not her. The minute she left you to go into the house for who knows what, I had someone snatch you right out of your playpen. The rest is history.”
I stared at him for a minute. “Did you take others? I mean is this how you think we should grow our religion again?”
“Darlin’, they’ve never brought me up on kidnapping charges, so yeah, it will work. Especially if you’re the bait. We’ll reel the little kids right in with a beautiful young lady, and no one will see it coming. I’ll plant you in the neighborhood, have you get to know a family, then bam.” He clapped his hands together, and I jumped. “That’s how it will play out. It’s the perfect plan. We’ll move you around to make sure the cops can’t track you.”
My stomach clenched with the idea. “I like kids. I’m sure I could pull it off.”
“Excellent.” Wagner stood. “I gotta go, baby girl. I’ll call when I have the ritual set up.”
“I’m excited,” I said, standing.
“Give me a hug. It sure is good to see you.”
I rounded the table, smiling as though he was the father of the year. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I braced myself for his hands to roam. Instead, he spun me around and slid his arm around my waist as the other pulled out a gun from the waist of his jeans.
“Did you honestly think that I would fall for your lies? Not once have you reached out while I was in prison.”
The metal of the barrel pressed against my temple. “It’s not what you think. I was afraid if I told you the truth, you would reject me. I’m desperate to be in your good graces again.” My body trembled against his, and for the first time in years, I prayed I would survive.
“Talk fast, beautiful. Time’s running out.”
I gulped, hoping this was the right move. “I had amnesia. Something happened when I left the compound, but I don’t know what. It wiped my memories, and just recently, a few are coming back. I received a phone call that you were being released soon, so I knew it was my chance to reconnect and make things right.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I sniffled.
“Good thing you’re coming with me now.”
“What? Dad, that won’t work, and the FBI will come after you again. I have school. If I go missing, they’re going to immediately think it was you. We’ll screw up everything before it has a chance to succeed.”
“They’ll never find you, Lyndsay. I hope you said goodbye to your friends.” His evil chuckle sent shivers down my spine.
He released me, then moved the gun behind me. “Walk and don’t pull any shit with me.”
I did as he asked, terrified that there was no way out and I was headed back to the pits of hell.
ChapterForty-Nine
Kane
“You have to do something!” I yelled in the van parked a few miles from the meeting spot. Brian had allowed me to stay with him and Pierce and listen to the conversation with Brie and Wagner, but I wasn’t allowed anywhere near Wagner. I understood why now. If I were close, I would deal with Wagner myself.
“Kane, calm down. We’re trained to handle these situations and do it all the time. Brie just trapped Wagner into confessing about the kidnappings. We don’t want to lose her either,” Brian explained.
“I’ve lost her once. Don’t make me lose her again.” My hands trembled, and I turned to Pierce.
“Sit, Kane. We’ve got this. If you can’t manage your emotions, you have to leave. One of my men will escort you to a hotel an hour away. Your choice.” Pierce’s tone was calm and confident.
My chest constricted as I stared at him. One thing I knew was that I wasn’t leaving as long as Wagner was near Brie. Now he wanted to take Brie with him. No. Fucking. Way.
“Ready?” Pierce said into his earpiece. “As soon as it’s clear.”
I held my breath, waiting to see if Wagner would walk away with my girlfriend, or if she would walk away alive.
Pop. The sound registered over the speaker, and I shot out of my chair, horror registering on my face. “Was that a gunshot? Who got hit?” I was so rattled I struggled to breathe.
“Wagner’s down, sir,” a man’s voice responded.
