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“Do you remember that meeting we had the first day before the service began? Our first day on the island?” Terrell’s fingers gently created a trail along her forearm as he decided on how to broach the topic. “Your father introduced us to the pastor and told him we could be trusted. I assume it is because our families have been friends for so long... Regardless, the pastor had seen you and your sisters when we arrived and was looking to expand his collection of wives.
Adelaide is already married and he wasn’t interested in Jaira. He had his heart set on you and your dad was in favour of the idea regardless of it making you the pastor’s eleventh wife. It would eliminate Josiah from the family and you know that is what your parents want...”
“What are you trying to say?” Atarah frowned.
“Here me out,” Terrell lowered his voice. “Why is it okay for that pastor to have multiple wives? How is it being accepted - and your family is working with them? You’d think they’d leave the church... Honestly, I’m starting to re-think a few things. I swore I’d help your father and this ministry. I have invaluable experience...”
“That pastor is NOT King Solomon and these are definitely not ancient times. It’s wrong,” Atarah looked at Terrell sideways, wondering just what had gotten into him.
Before any further could be discussed, Mark entered the room, looking between Terrell and Atarah.
“Pastor wants you to lead the service tonight. He has something special planned - adult only.”
Terrell hid a grimace. Adults only meant another “Spirit Night” meeting, which they realized had nothing at all to do with the Holy Spirit - but more to do with the strength of a Viagra pill.
Terrell nodded, but was looking into Atarah’s eyes. She’d been right all along - they needed to leave.
“No problem. We just need to get ready first.”
Mark turned, already heading out of the room.
“The service starts in half an hour. Be on time.”
****
"TERRELL!" MARK BELLOWED.
Terrell brushed a curl behind Atarah’s ear before whispering, “We will leave tonight - during the service. Make sure the kids are ready. I have a gut feeling I can’t shake that they won’t just let us walk out that door.”
Terrell had given Atarah more hope than she had in over a week. Instinctively, Atarah wrapped her arms around Terrell.
“Thank you!!!”
“Easy Babe,” he teased, but his features remained serious. “You don’t want to draw attention to our plan.”
Gently kissing Atarah’s forehead, he turned and headed toward the den where the service was about to begin.
Atarah smiled as she gathered together her clothes along with her children’s. This was it - they’d be heading back to Ontario before morning.
“You’re not wearing that, are you?” Lilly frowned, startling Atarah.
Atarah glanced up at the buxom blonde wearing little more than a negligee.
“I’m definitely wearing more than that,” Atarah sighed, trying not to roll her eyes.
“It’s Spirit Night,” Lilly’s eyes sparkled before lowering her voice, “which is pretty much an anything can happen night.”
Atarah just wanted Lilly to leave but she wasn’t seeming to get the hint.
Roxanne, standing at Lilly’s side looked down at her hands. “My parents would have a heart attack if they knew where I was - or what happened at this ‘church’.”
Lilly frowned at the younger woman. “Be careful what you say,” she warned before leaving the others. “We’re gonna be late!”
Roxanne paused, lingering at the bedroom door, her eyes going toward the bag Atarah had been stuffing clothes into.
“You’re planning on escaping,” she breathed, her eyes wide.
Atarah swallowed hard, but didn’t confirm Roxanne’s suspistions.
“Take me with you - please! I swear I won’t breathe a word. I’ll help you with the little ones. You’ve got to help me - I have no other way out of here!”
How could Atarah say no? How long had Roxanne been there?
“We have to be discreet...”
“Of course. Here, let me take the babies. My absence won’t be noticed as much as you. I can bring them to my room - say I’m sick or something. I really didn’t want to go tonight to the Spirit Meeting - it’s just going to be an orgy and I wasn’t raised that way...”
****
TERRELL DIDN’T HESITATE for a moment, pulling Atarah against him as the Spirit Night meeting got underway.
"Roxanne asked to come with us," Atarah lips were close to his ear.
They were surrounded by writhing bodies, the ‘meeting’ in full swing - if they just walked out they’d draw attention to themselves - unwanted attention.
Terrell frowned - he wasn’t planning on a full-fledged rescue mission.
“Let’s not draw attention...” Terrell murmured. Lowering his head, he kissed Atarah, his hands going to her hips.
Moaning softly, against his hungry, insistent kisses, she sighed as Terrell lifted her, pressing her against the wall. If anyone observed them, they looked like a couple that desperately needed to ‘get a room.’ Atarah knew it was all part of the plan - Terrell’s plan. It was only a kiss that wouldn’t raise suspicion.
Mark didn’t like the sight of just how hot and heavy Terrell was getting with Atarah.
Snapping his fingers, he called out, “Get over here Terrell! Keep your damn paws off my daughter.”
Focusing his ire on Tarrell, no one noticed a tall, dark haired man watching from the shadowed hallway. His iridescent blue eyes had seen everything.
Gripping Atarah’s arm, he pulled her from the room, charging down the hallway and toward the back door where Roxanne was pacing with the children.
“I’m still coming right?” Her voice was breathless with anticipation but looked confused, not recognizing the man at Atarah’s side.
Atarah nodded, swallowing hard as they were led out to the waiting SUV. It was now or never. They needed to get off the property but Atarah held back, her lips swollen from Terrell’s passion.
“We need to talk, Love,” Lachlan’s voice was low as led her to the waiting car. “You’re not staying here a moment longer.”