ChapterThree
Queenie
If they think I’m going to sit in this clubhouse social and meek, the Sinners are sorely mistaken. I took no vows to obey commands without question. Healing has left me tired and low on energy, but there’s nothing wrong with my mind. I watch their habits, staying under Preacher’s wing as I venture out into the clubhouse for meals and exercise after dark. I want to believe the words he whispers, but the conflict of interests won’t allow me to fully invest. Ignoring my stiffness, I push off the bed and walk the room perimeter. I haven’t seen my phone since I arrived, and there are no landlines as far as I can tell. Getting up too quickly makes the blood rush to my head, and I bump into the desk.
The cup of pens topples, sending blue and black writing utensils rolling off the desk and onto the floor. Groaning, I squat down to pick them up and feel my heart leap at the sight of a small, silver laptop peeking out of a small, black case tucked away on the bottom of the desk, probably long forgotten. Licking my lips, I decide to go for it. I pull it out, unzip the case, and remove the computer. Popping it open, I hit the round button in the center and hold my breath. The light turns green, and the screen sputters to life. The green button in the bottom right-hand corner tells me it'll be dying soon. No. The universe hadn’t given me this gift to cruelly rip it from my fingers.
Holding my breath, I wait for it to connect to the internet and pull up my email. I open a file and pen a quick message. I’m safe, hidden. Don’t let anyone outside of our parents know I contacted you. Can’t say more.
The door opens, and I slam my finger on the send button as the screen darkens.
“What did you do, Flower?” Preacher whispers.
“What I had to.” I lift my head.
He shakes his head. “Did that send?”
My lower lip wobbles. “I don’t know.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” Blowing the air through his teeth, he stomps across the room and takes hold of my wrist. “Up. We need to go see Techie.”
“No.” I dig my heels in.
“You’d better hope we can fix this in time. Do you know how much danger you might’ve exposed them to?”
"Letting them think I’m dead on the chance that someone is watch—”
“There’s no chance. We know they are,” he barks.
I flinch and stumble when my knees suddenly weaken over the truth. “What?”
“People are posted around the townhouse you share with your sister and driving around the funeral home regularly.”
Sickness settles into my gut, and I swallow to fight back nausea. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? We can’t just leave Ang vulnerable and unaware of what’s going on.” I shake my hand free.
“Because we didn’t want you to panic and do something stupid.” His brown eyes are dark with anger, and his lips are turned down with displeasure.
Stomach knotting, I shake my head. I’d been worried about making contact and regaining control of my life, but never at this price.
“Oh God. You can’t leave Ang out there. She’s a sitting duck.” I throw myself at him, clutching his shirt.
“We’re one step ahead of you. We’re having Ang shadowed. Which is why we’ve had you lay low.” Grimm stands from the table. “What happened, Preacher?”
“She might’ve sent an email.”
“You don’t know?” Grimm asks, unimpressed.
“The computer died in the middle of it.”
“Fuck. Get Tech.”
“That’s where we were headed.”
“She can’t stay here now.” Grimm shakes his head as my stomach bottoms.
“What?” I whisper.
“We’ve been compromised. Flint might’ve suspected we had you.” He pins my gaze with his unflinching dark stare. “Now they know.”