Satan's Sinners #1: Reid and Indiana

Chapter 4

Kai POV

Double-checking the GPS for my next exit, I closed the app to call Leif and give him an update. When I talked to him earlier, he said church had been a rough one for Hades. Hades has a f****d up childhood, and he doesn’t like to hear of women or children being in domestic violence situations, like Indie and Bear are in now. He’s offered to be an ear if Indie or Bear needs it and I love my brother for it. None of us may be blood, but we’re all brothers. I needed to give an update, and I knew it would help put Hades and Leif at ease. Leif’s old lady, Willow, got a larger cabin on the compound for the three of us. It had a mother-in-law suite on the first floor I would take, and bedrooms with attached baths upstairs that Indie and Bear would take. I wanted her to know that I would be there to protect them from whatever tried to walk through that front door.

“What’s the word, Atlas?”

“We’re on the road. She woke up for about two hours, and had a panic attack when she first woke up. We got her calm, and I had the hospital pharmacy fill her scripts so we didn't need to wait for those. We got discharged, and we have about 14 and a half hours left in our drive. They both fell asleep about ten minutes after we got on the highway."

“That’s good. Hades will be happy to hear she's on her way, and it's hopefully not too bad?”

“What’s with him? I know he had a f****d up childhood, but he doesn’t say anything else about it. She's got broken ribs on both sides and a broken nose. They're both probably going to need a therapist if you know any in the area?”

“That’s for him to tell, brother. It’s…it’s not something anyone should have to go through. Just know this is hard on him because he sees a lot of his own childhood in this situation. I'm glad it's not more serious.”

“s**t. I didn’t know. Do you need me to find a different chapter?”

“No. Your old man’s here too. He’d kick my ass if I ever turned you away because my enforcer was having a hard time. My dad was always close with him and your mom. We owe your family a lot. This is nothing. Honest.”

“Alright. We’ll probably be there around 5 in the morning, maybe 5:30?”

“Damn early birds. I’ll be finishing up in the gym at that time. I’ll meet you at the gate to get you back to your cabin. It’s over by Hades. I wanted it close to someone else who could kick some serious ass if needed. Or if anyone needed an ear. He doesn't talk a lot, but he's a great listener.”

“Appreciate it. I’m hopping off here. Gonna jam out.”

“Later.”

15 hours later,

Indie POV

Opening my eyes, I see a chain link fence through the windshield and I hear low voices. Looking over at the driver's side, I see that it was empty, with my brother standing outside. Hugging someone. They look familiar.

“Morning, Snow White.”

“f**k off, Leif. It’s too early for your shit.”

“Don’t let Willow hear you flirt with me like that.”

“Eww. Don’t make me puke.” I made a disgusted face because, come on. He's like another brother to me. I saw way too much of him in college, and he and Kai are a lot alike. It's weird and there could never be anything there.

He smiled at me, “Let’s get you guys to your cabin,” as he squeezed into the back next to Bear’s car seat. “This little Bear we’ve heard so much about?” I nodded.

“Yeah. That’s my little man. He said he tried to stop his dad from hitting Indie and that mother fucker grabbed his arm so hard he’s got a f*****g bruise. Then he pushed him into his room and slapped him for talking back. I can’t wait to smack him around for touching them.”

“Damn Atlas. Think this is the first time I’ve heard you say such things.”

“I’m a lawyer. I know better than to let my inner thoughts out around other people. But you’re family. And you technically sign my pay checks, so ya know. You deserve to know what your attorney is doing.” He had this cheeky look in his eyes. I was happy to see him joking. At least I think he was joking.

Pulling up to a wooden cabin, two-car garage, fence going around the backyard. It looked absolutely perfect for us. Bear was holding my hand as we walked around checking out every room of the house. Bear picked his room. It was up the stairs on the right and said mine should be across the hall in case he needed me. I just smiled and half looked at everything, half hoping this wasn't a dream. That I really was away from Jack. Leif led us outside, showing us the back patio, when someone from the house next door said, “Hello” in a deep, soul-vibrating baritone voice. I shivered at it.

I looked over and saw the most mouth-watering man I’d ever seen. He was tall, easily a foot taller than me. Maybe as tall as Kai. He had muscles on what looked like every inch of him. He was wearing black jeans that clung to his thick thighs like paint on a wall. He had on a long-sleeved black henley, but you could see every ripple in the material over the hard lines of muscle. I couldn't help but stare at this god of a man.

His face though. That’s what stole my breath. He had this broodiness about him, like there was a chip on his shoulder, but not the kind where he had to prove himself. It was the kind of chip that seemed like a heavy sadness was there, weighing him down, not letting him shine as brightly as he could. He had shoulder-length chocolate brown hair with these forest green eyes that I’d only seen on my son. Yes, Jack had green eyes, but his were poop green. Not forest green. Bear and this man had the same shade of forest green eyes. God, they were beautiful. He had a chiseled jaw, and thick lips that looked like they were inviting me to try them out. What? No. I was staying away from men. I don't want to be near any man any time soon. If ever. No, thank you. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Trying to return it.

Maybe if I’m ever ready for someone…if he hasn’t found someone…listen to me. Thinking a man like that, Greek God, a perfect specimen, didn’t already have a woman warming his heart and his bed. I was not someone who could be with someone like him. I had a kid. I was fat, I couldn’t do anything right anymore. The main reason I wanted to leave was because I knew he’d force me to have more kids. He’d keep beating me, and I would die, unable to protect my baby or babies if I had gotten out any later. That’s the only reason I got out. Part of me knows I didn’t deserve what he did. But a part of me also knows I probably did deserve it on some level. And a part of me believes what he said. I am a worthless fatass, who can’t do anything right. No. I had to stop. I was going to spiral. I could feel my breathing increase. I couldn’t get the air in. I couldn’t slow my breathing. All I could do was try to breathe and try to look away from his eyes. Tears were coming down my face, clouding my vision. I was scared. What the hell was happening?!

I saw the deck and then felt arms around me. I tensed, breathing too quickly, someone was screaming, and the ringing was back in my ears. Oh god. Am I dying? Then, blackness.

Fuck.