Wife Number Seven (The Compound, #1)(86)

“Okay, while I drive, you need to make contact. Grab her phone. Call him, send a message, ask him for his address.”

“I can do better than that,” Rebecca said. “I’ll take you to him.”



Chapter 32

“Everyone out!” Aspen screeched while she and Rebecca dragged me to the bed. Every bit of my body ached, burned, and pounded with pain. Lehi, Leandra, and the other wives left the room, and despite my pain, I was able to breathe. The danger was gone.

“My suitcase,” I whispered to Aspen. “I need it.”

“Where is it?” Aspen jumped to attention and ran across the bedroom. “In the closet?”

“Yes,” I whimpered.

Aspen froze, looking back at me, studying me from head to toe. “Rebecca, fetch a first aid kit.” Her face was solemn, downturned. “We’re going to need it.”

Rebecca ran from the room. While she was gone, Aspen retrieved my suitcase and placed it on the bed next to me. She scooped up my purse and its contents, placing it all in the case. Her hand smoothed down my disheveled hair and she tipped her head to the side, giving me a sympathetic smile.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“You saved me,” I said.

“Not quite.” Aspen’s fingers skimmed my temple, next to the cut that wouldn’t stop bleeding. Her shoulders drooped and her spine bowed.

I grabbed her hand with as much strength as I could muster. “You saved my life,” I said through my tears and cracking voice. “I’ll never forget that.”

Aspen looked away, sniffing and wiping at her nose. I knew she was fighting tears; she was never one to show emotion or weakness.

Rebecca entered the room and Aspen quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Rest,” she insisted. “We’ll pack your things.”

I submitted to her instructions and collapsed on the bed, trying desperately to ignore the pain. My wounds didn’t matter; they would heal.

I was getting out. Finally.

And that was all that mattered.

? ? ?

Within minutes, my bag was packed with the bare essentials and my sister wives guided me to Lehi’s truck. Every muscle screamed as they lifted me into the cab of the truck. I struggled to maintain consciousness as my mind tried desperately to escape the pain. My chest ached and my throat burned each time I swallowed. It hurt to breathe, and bruises were starting to form on my arms and legs.

Aspen climbed into the driver’s seat, and Rebecca sat on the other side of me, next to the window. As we made our way into town, a stunning sunset filled the sky. I leaned my head back against the seat, wincing against the pain, as my sister wives argued. Oh, did they argue.

Aspen glanced at Rebecca. “Who is this Porter? And how on earth do you know about him and I don’t?”

Poor Aspen was furious, although I knew she was really just hurt that I’d deceived her through lying by omission.

Rebecca looked away and shrugged. “I met him months ago.”

“And . . . ?”

Rebecca brushed away Aspen’s questions. Turning in her seat, she demanded, “You must tell me what you found, Aspen! What was written on those papers?”

“You answer my questions first.”

“It was months ago . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“You said that already. Who is he? Is he good to her?”

Rebecca shook her head. “I-I don’t know. I met him once, just once. Right after I joined the family.”

“Oh, but you know where he lives?”

“It’s a long story. Would you please, please, just tell me what was on those papers?” Rebecca’s voice cracked.

Aspen snorted. “Are you joking? I owe you nothing! Nothing!”

“I know, but—”

“Where does he live?”

Rebecca glanced around, then said, “Um . . . turn right on Wilson Avenue. It’s two blocks—”

“I know where it is,” Aspen snapped. “I’ve lived here my whole life.”

“Okay.”

We drove in silence for several minutes, then Aspen cleared her throat and spoke. When she did, her voice was monotone, emotionless. “This . . . what happened to Brinley tonight, it’s all your fault. You must know that.”

“I know, I know, but—I have to know. You must tell me. I’ll go insane if I don’t know.”

“Then go insane. Perhaps that will be your penance for doing this to Brinley.”

“That’s not fair,” Rebecca whimpered.

“Nor is blaming Brinley for your domestic problems,” Aspen snarled, her words laced with venom. “It’s not her fault you were reassigned!”

“I-I didn’t say it was!”

“Then why did you do this? Why? She could have been killed!”

Rebecca wailed in response, turning her body away, leaning her forehead against the passenger window and sobbing as though her heart were breaking. Normally, I would comfort her, but the pain was all-consuming. Besides, to be honest, Rebecca was not my favorite person at that moment. After all, she was the reason that Lehi beat me. She’d clearly given my purse to Lehi and Leandra, and set the confrontation in motion.

“I-I thought . . . I mean, I didn’t know they would do that. I thought—”