Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

ANNA

A few days later, I go out to pick up the fresh eggs from the chicken coop. After collecting an entire basket of fresh eggs for breakfast, I start towards the house when I hear gravel crunching in the driveway and see a truck pulling in. Two men get out of the truck and a shiver goes down my spine. My father gets out of one side; the Prophet, Jarod, gets out the other.

“Anna, what are you doing here?” my father asks. “It’s time for you to get in this truck and go home to your husband.”

“Prophet Jarod isn’t my husband. Cash Young is my husband now.”

Jarod approaches me, grabbing me by my hair. “You whore. You better not have given him what belongs to me.”

Bringing his face to mine, his nose touches my cheek. He inhales deeply.

I whimper as my scalp burns, my breathing speeds up, and my heart pounds.

“Were you a whore, Anna? Did you give some other man what was only mine to have?”

Rage rolls off me in waves and gives me the strength to talk back. “I gave it all to him, and my husband is a real man. I loved it. Him thrusting in and out of me, his tongue fucking me, the orgasms I had. I loved it all. No matter what you do, you won’t ever get my first time.”

He raises his hand, and spits out, “You jezebel. There is no saving you. You must be sent to the fires of hell for what you’ve done.”

As his hand connects with my cheek, pain explodes through my face and I stumble back. Fear races through my veins, but I refuse to back down. Instead, I stand tall, defiant.

A glint of madness flickers in Jarod's eyes, his grip tightening on my hair. He pulls me closer, his foul breath assaulting my senses.

In that moment, a surge of strength and determination floods my body. I will not let him break me.

My voice trembles, but my words are steady. "I will not be silenced by your twisted beliefs. My body, my choice. You have no power over me."

A gasp escapes his lips, a mixture of shock and fury. His grip tightens further, pain radiating through my scalp. But even as tears well in my eyes, I refuse to show weakness. I summon every ounce of courage I possess.

With a surge of adrenaline, I gather my strength and lash out. My knee connects with his groin, a satisfying thud filling the air. Jarod doubles over in agony, and releases me from his grip. I seize the opportunity and sprint towards the house, my heart pounding in my chest. Behind me, the sound of my father's voice echoes through the air, filled with anger and disbelief. But I block out his words, focusing on the path ahead.

I burst into a run, trying to make it to the barn where I know there are places to hide. Hoping that Cash will come in from the fields in time to save me. After entering the barn, I get into the stall with Chestnut, hoping they won’t follow.

Safety engulfs me, if only for a moment. Though, I know this battle is far from over. The flames of defiance burn within me, igniting a fire that will not be extinguished. They won’t take me alive. This is my home, my family now, and I refuse to allow my father and Jarod to take me away.

The door to Chestnut’s stall opens and there is Jarod, with his gun aimed at me. It’s over. I’ll miss my husband, Bailey, even Brooks. I wish I had more time with them. Closing my eyes, I prepare myself for the gunshot when I hear a thud. Not feeling any pain, I open my eyes to see Brooks brandishing a pitchfork, standing over Jarod. He’s knocked him out.

Brooks stares at me with wet eyes. “I won’t let them hurt you. You are our family now, and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Outside the barn I hear a commotion. Cash and my father are yelling at one another. Brooks and I run toward the sound, just in time to see Cash shoot my father in the head. He falls to the ground, and for the first time in my life, I feel safe.