Say It’s Forever (Fate #1)

Chapter 16

16

WINTER

I lay with my head on Garrett's chest. His fingers drift up and down my back. I never knew life could be this way. It angers me how much Heaven’s Temple kept from us. How much they have taken from all of us that we can’t get back. It wasn’t only the women and girls. They often tossed the young boys out when they got older.

There would always be a reason, but after some conversations with Garrett, I've come to the realization that it was because they didn't want to share wives. All this talk about marriage and having as many children as possible was utterly ridiculous. They were in the business of ripping families apart.

“You all right?”

I tilt my head back to meet Garrett's eyes. “I told you I’m fine.” I smile at him. He has asked me this question more than once. Garrett is so worried he hurt me. The first time he thrust inside me, there was a sharp pain, but it was also accompanied by immense pleasure. Another thing my mother was wrong about. Sex can be good for both partners if the other cares, and my Garrett more than cares.

“Good, but you got tense for a second. You thinking about your sister?”

“Was more just thinking about that whole world. The things they tried to brainwash in my mind. Sometimes, I have to correct my thinking, knowing that the thoughts they ingrained in me are not my own.” I’m lucky because Garrett has been so supportive which has made it easier for me.

“I think you’re coming along faster than you realize.” Garrett brushes a piece of hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. “After we handle this and get your sister back, we’ll find you someone to talk to.”

“Someone to talk to? I like talking to you.” I start to sit up, but Garrett keeps me tucked in close to him.

“You can always talk to me, babe, but you have been through something big. A professional can help you sort through those thoughts.”

“I don’t know.” A small knot forms in my stomach. “When you needed someone to talk to at the compound, you always had to speak to one of the prophets.” I’m not comfortable putting that trust in anyone else besides Garrett at the moment.

“No,” he half-growls. That sound always makes me smile. “This will not be someone shoving any religion on you. This profession requires years of schooling and training specifically for these types of situations. It will be a woman.”

“All right. I know you only want what's best for me,” I agree, trusting Garrett. I think it would be easier if it was a woman.

“I won’t make you do anything you don’t want, but the option is there. You can even just go meet the person and then decide.”

“Thank you.” I press a kiss to his chest over his heart.

Garrett rolls, pinning me under him. “Stay put,” he orders, pressing a kiss to my mouth before he gets up from the bed. I watch his sexy, naked self stroll into the bathroom, hearing the water come on a few seconds later.

"I think you could use a soak in the tub," he says when he comes back out of the bathroom. Garrett easily scoops me up in his arms, carrying me back into the bathroom with him.

"I have been eyeing this tub," I admit.

"The warm water will help you be less sore later." He lowers me into the water. I let out a small sigh as the warmth envelops me. “Rest,” Garrett orders before dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m going to check on a few things and grab some more wood. Then see about making us something to eat.”

“I want to cook,” I protest. “Please.”

“You know I can’t tell you no.”

“I don’t see how that is a problem.” He merely chuckles and gives me another kiss before leaving the bathroom.

I lean back, letting out another sigh. My mind replays our lovemaking. We’ve had sex twice.

A different side of Garrett peeked out when we made love. I could see the more domineering side to him. He was also possessive. Even when he revealed that side of himself, it was as if he knew I needed it. My body ached for it.

He told me that he loved me. It took me by surprise. Growing up, my home was not a place to freely give words of love. My sister and I would always express our love to each other. But she is the only other person to have said those words to me.

What I feel for Garrett is intense and actually a little scary. There is a fear that he could be taken from me. I don’t even know how I would handle that. What I do know is that my heart would shatter into a million pieces if something were to happen to him. This has to be love. It’s different than the love of my sister, but both are bone-deep.

I need to tell him. I don’t want another second to go by without him knowing how I truly feel.

When I step out of the tub, I wrap a towel around me. Bear is lying on the bed when I exit. I go into Garrett's closet and find a shirt to pull on and a pair of his boxers. I have to roll them a million times to get them to stay.

Bear lets out a low growl that has me stepping out of the closet. His ears are up, and he is standing in the center of the bed. Then, he slowly slips off the bed, not making a sound.

I watch as he leaves the room. I follow after him, wondering if there might be something wrong. Before I catch up to him, I hear another growl. Only this time it’s louder and more fierce. It sends a shot of fear through me. When I round the corner of the living room toward the kitchen, I see Bear, his teeth fully showing.

That’s when I see Joseph standing on the other side of the kitchen island with a gun pointed at Bear, and my heart sinks.

“Get the dog, Winter, or I'll shoot him.” I can see the fear on Joseph’s face, even though he’s the one with a gun.

I try to recall some of the commands I’ve heard Garrett use. He would always explain the meaning of his commands to me. The most common command he used was Okhraniay, which meant "guard," and Bear would remain by my side until Garrett released him.

“Winter!” Joseph shouts at me, making Bear bark too and let out another growl of warning.

“Ryadom!” I call out. Bear steps back to my side, but he’s still tense. His teeth are showing.

Joseph pulls out a walkie-talkie, keeping the gun trained toward us as he does.

“Ethan, Micah,” he speaks into it. “I’ve got her.” A sick smile slides across Joseph’s face. I should be terrified of what he is going to do to me, but all I can think about is Garrett and where he might be. Did they do something to him?

“You thought you could get away from me? You’re mine,” he spits out.

“I’m not yours,” I grit out. Joseph’s eyes widen at my response. I'm sure he's shocked that a woman would not only dare to disagree with him, but also speak against him.

“Did you fuck him? Did you let that man take your innocence?” His eyes roam up and down my body, lingering on my bare legs. Disgust and rage take over his expression. “You will be punished for this!” he shouts, making Bear growl, but he stays by my side. I put my hand on his head, trying to calm him. I don’t want him to attack and get shot.

“Ethan, Micah,” Joseph calls into the walkie-talkie again. Nothing comes back. “Come on. We’re leaving.” He gestures with his gun, signaling for me to move.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I don’t move an inch.

“You think you have a choice?” He steps out from behind the kitchen island to come toward me.

I’m about to tell him that I know I have a choice, but the next thing I know, Garrett is behind Joseph. It happened so fast I’m not even sure where he came from. He grabs him by the hair and yanks him hard. Joseph’s neck snaps back only to be met with Garrett’s gun to the back of his head.

“Drop it,” he orders.

Joseph releases both the gun and the walkie-talkie. They hit the ground with a loud thud. “You really have gifted yourself to me by coming into our home. I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than this.”

I don’t miss the word our.

“She doesn’t belong here,” Joseph tries to insist.

To my shock, Garrett releases his hold on Joseph with a shove. He tumbles forward, barely managing to stay on his feet. He spins around to face Garrett. I can see the rage in Garrett’s eyes, but the rest of him is utterly calm.

That’s when I see the blood on his white thermal shirt. I know it isn’t his. Joseph sees it too.

“Where are Ethan and Micah?”

“Micah had an accident.”

The blood drains from Joseph’s face. “What did you do to him?”

Garrett gives a lazy shrug of his shoulder. “He’s not a very good or quick shot. I, however, am rather good with my ax.” He smirks.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, putting my hand to my mouth, knowing that Joseph won't make it out of here alive either.