Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

ANNA

The night before I ran …

“You’re going to marry the Prophet. It’s an honor to be chosen.” My mother pats my shoulder as she works to put curlers in my hair.

“But he’s old, and you know the other wives say that he abuses them,” I protest, tears welling in my eyes.

“It doesn’t matter!”, my father cuts in. “You will not embarrass me.”

“I’d rather die than marry him!” I shout.

My mother steps away from me, as my father takes a menacing step closer. “That can be arranged. Rather have a dead daughter, than a disobedient one.” He grabs ahold of my hair and yanks me from the chair I’m sitting in. I feel my back hit the wall and my teeth clatter as he shoves my head back. “You’ll die before you embarrass me like this.” I struggle as he wraps his hands around my neck and squeezes.

“Father,” I wheeze, “stop, please.”

He ignores me and squeezes tighter. I claw at the hands wrapped around my neck and try to fight against his hold. He leans in closer to me and the fear he’s going to kill me grips me tightly. I kick out against him, but he leans closer as he squeezes hard. I think he’s actually going to do it. He’s going to kill me. I try to fight him off, but it’s no use. His hands tighten, and no matter how hard I claw at his hands or kick out, he doesn’t release me.

Tears stream down my face, and my eyes dart to my mother, pleading her to stop him. She looks away, refusing to meet my gaze. I flash my eyes back to my father as he slams my head back against the wall again.

“You’d rather die, huh, Anna?” he screams in my face, spittle flying everywhere. I stop trying to fight and feel myself pulling under as he continues to shake my body.

“Anna! Anna! Anna!” I hear him shouting. I don’t want to answer him. He’s no better than the other men.

“Anna! Baby, wake up!” A panicked voice cuts into my brain, and as I start to fight against the arms around me, I open my eyes and realize I’m not back at the church. I’m in bed and Cash’s concerned eyes are staring into mine. My body is soaked in sweat, and his arms are wrapped around me as he hugs me to him, whispering words of comfort.

“You’re safe here, Anna. It’s okay,” he whispers in a soothing voice. My heart is racing, but his words slowly sink in.

I’m not dead. I’m not at the church. I’m with Cash, on the ranch. In his bed.

Suddenly, my fear is quickly replaced by shame and guilt.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I don’t know—” I cut off with a sob.

“Baby. It was a nightmare. Please, tell me what happened? I’m scared here, Anna. You were thrashing in your sleep, yelling ‘I’d rather die’. What happened?”

I don’t say anything at first. What am I supposed to say to him? That I freaked out, and had what I now know is a nightmare? He’ll think I’m just a foolish child.

“Anna. You need to tell me. Is it about the church? You’re safe here.”

I sigh and curl my body closer to his, seeking comfort. I don’t know how to form the words. I’m so afraid he will find me weak or childish.

“The night before I left, I got into an argument with my father. The leader of our church, the Prophet, is an old, vile man. He told my parents he had a vision from the Lord that he and I were to be married. I couldn’t do it. He was old, and I knew he mistreated his other wives. He would leer at me, make inappropriate comments, and I knew that if I married him, he would one day kill me. He had already ‘divorced’ one of his wives, and no one stopped him. No one cared.” I let out the sob I had been trying to stifle. “She was a sweet woman, but we all knew what was happening to her. The abuse. The only way out of that life was death. I told my father I would rather die before marrying the Prophet. He told me that I was as good as dead if I embarrassed him or refused.”

I feel Cash’s body stiffen next to me. The arm that was running against my back freezes.

“He threatened to kill you? His own daughter? That motherfucker.” Cash’s voice is full of fury, and I feel myself pull away. I don’t want to make him any angrier.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I’ll try not to bother you again with my dreams. I know it upsets you. I’m so sorry,” I tack on with a whisper.

His hand cups my face and I try not to flinch. The moonlight filters in through the window, but Cash doesn’t miss my reaction.

“Anna. You are my wife. My wife . I would never hurt you like that. I’ll protect you, and I’ll be damned if any of those bastards get to you again. You are safe here. No one is taking you from me. Is that what worries you? That they’ll find you?” Cash lets out a sound akin to a growl. “They will never get their filthy fucking hands on you. I’ll kill them all first.”

I put my head to his chest and try to get as close to him as possible. He’s not like the men in my church. Cash is different. Good. Even though he just threatened murder, I think he’s also a man of his word. He loves his kids and treats his mother with respect. I think I can trust him. I hope I can. I feel his arms pulling me closer to him. I don’t want to talk anymore. It was just a dream, and I’m safe now.

“When I said till death do us part,” he whispers, “I meant it. And if that means someone else’s death to ensure I keep that promise, Anna, then I’ll do it. Nothing and no one will take you away from me. Now go back to sleep, baby.”

He kisses the top of my head, and I instantly feel my body relax. Maybe being Cash Young’s wife won’t be so bad.