Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
What we didn’t plan on was Louisa being chosen to marry. She endured that man for six years before she couldn’t take it any longer. After a fourth beating to a bloody pulp by her “husband,” she had to go. They weren’t legally married, only married by the New Beginning’s God. But we all quickly learned there was no God in our family.
The only thing I can say about that man is he is a spawn of Satan. As are all the men in New Beginnings. While I didn’t get beaten as much, I was continually put in the Halo.
I was so lucky I got out before I was chosen to marry, as was Eliza. I think that’s what convinced me to leave—when I watched my sister be forced to marry a man who not only beat her, but forced himself on her. I can still feel the anguish of watching her get slapped on her binding day. She hesitated to kiss him when it was time, and he hauled off and smacked her. Hard. No one in the hall even winced but my sisters and me. This wasn’t what we wanted.
As soon as Louisa called from the cell phone I had hidden for her when I was leaving, Peepaw picked her up moments later. He wished Clara were with her, but Clara didn’t turn eighteen until six months ago. She called us multiple times a day from the hidden cell phone Louisa left her and begged us to smuggle her out. But we knew where she was, and if we tried to take her, they’d move or have us arrested for kidnapping a minor. So, the day she turned eighteen, we showed up at the end of the road to the compound at midnight, with balloons and a cake.
And once more, my family was whole.
Without the fear and torment of the Grandmaster.
Eliza throws a bag in the back of my car, and Clara clasps her arms around my waist. Louisa and Elliot stand beside Peepaw, leaning into him. He wraps his arms around them tightly, and my heart swells. We never have to question if we are loved by him; he loves us wholeheartedly, and it shows.
“Are you sure you have to go?” Clara asks, and I kiss her on the top of her head.
“Yes. The drive will kill me.” I laugh, and she smiles.
“Will you come home on weekends, or are you going to leave me with these girls?” Peepaw teases, and we all laugh.
“Probably until the season starts, and then I’ll be traveling with the team.”
They all nod as Eliza steps closer to me, hugging me tightly. “I’ll miss you,” she says against my shoulder.
“I’ll miss you, all of you,” I say, and soon my eyes burn with tears. I know this is the best thing to do. I wasn’t kidding when I said the drive would kill me. It would. I hate driving as it is, and now I have an opportunity to be completely immersed in the hockey world.
I have to take it.
Even if it means leaving my sisters behind once more.
At least now I know they’re taken care of and loved.
The Assassins housing is beautiful. The apartment complex is secure and very classy. It’s crazy that I’ve gone from living in a barn, to a farmhouse, to now a very high-end apartment. The concierge, Jake, helps me with my bags. After I tip him, he tells me to make sure to ask for him if I have any questions. I don’t miss the way his eyes travel down my body, but I pay him no mind. After locking my front door, I turn to look at my new place, only to find it’s a mess. My brows knit together as I glance around in confusion. I open the door, making sure I’m in the right unit, but my key wouldn’t have worked if I weren’t.
There are boxes everywhere, hockey equipment galore, and hockey sticks. So many hockey sticks. I look around the kitchen, but it’s spotless, so surely no one is living here? I reach for my phone, calling Shelli.
“Hello?” she answers, her voice groggy.
“Oh, did I wake you?” I feel so stupid when I glance at the clock to see it’s past ten. Why didn’t I check before I called?
“Yes, but are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry. I got to the apartment, and it has boxes and equipment in it. I was worried I was in the wrong one.”
“Oh, it probably wasn’t cleaned out. I’ll have someone come tomorrow to do that. I apologize.”
Oh. Duh. “I’m so sorry,” I say, snapping my wrist as I hold up the phone. Snap. “I shouldn’t have called.”
“No, I’m glad you did. I’ll make sure to get that done. Remind me.”
“Yes, of course. Again, I apologize. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she says, and I hang up the phone.