Covet (Sinful Secrets 3)

“I know myself. I’m loyal.”

“Was it Doctor…or was it Mr. Carnegie?”

I inhale. The air in my lungs feels too large.

“Was it Doctor…or was it Mr. Carnegie?”

I try to tell her with my eyes, for my mouth resists moving. But Mrs. Acton cannot read my mind. Her face is searching.

Who has Declan? I want Declan!

“It was Doctor.” Whispered words. Wobbly words. When they come from my throat, sickness follows, so I have to rush into the bathroom.

“Finley, you’re so good. I love you.”

I wash my face, taking my time. The water’s cold. It stings my eyes and fingertips.

Perhaps I’ll stay the night here. I’m so tired now. Declan wouldn’t leave without me.

As I step woodenly into the bedroom, I hear voices in the hallway. I hear Father Russo. Before I can make out what’s being said, the bedroom’s door opens, and Anna walks in. She holds Kayti, but this time it’s Anna weeping. Kayti blinks at me as Anna says, “They know.”

How odd that, at first, I don’t know what. Anna reads my face and mind.

“Father Russo arrived after Mayor. He told Mayor and Mrs. Acton you were having an affair.”

My knees buckle. I grab the bed’s post.

I croak, “And?”

“Mrs. Acton told them—she said Doctor hurt you. But…” She shakes her head. Her calm face speaks damnation. “Father means to take you. He says he’ll sort this out in a God-like manner.”

I’m shaking my head as she speaks. No. No, no, no. No.

“I’m well, sir. How are you?”

“I would be better if I understood why you ceased attending weekday masses.”

“No.” I grip the bed. “I don’t trust Father Russo!”

“Well, why ever not?”

“He’s friends with Doctor!”

“Finley, he’s our priest. The Lord anoints all priests.”

I dash into the bathroom. As Anna comes to stand in the doorway behind me, I push the window open.

“Please!” It’s the only word I can get out as I hoist myself into the frigid air. As I drop to the ground, I’m stunned to see it’s dusk. Perhaps I fell asleep. What if the ship’s gone?

“I’m going to my house!” That’s what I call Mum’s house. It still stands, and Anna knows I sometimes visit it.

I take off down Middle Lane in that direction but cut back the other way, running so fast and hard that the twilight spins around me and gold stars bloom in my eyes. I run as I hear a car crank in the distance. Sobs wrench from my chest—sob-gasp, sob-gasp.

I’m not going to Mum’s, I’m racing to reach Declan. I can reach him if I’m fast enough. He’ll be at Gammy’s; I know he will. He’ll still be at Gammy’s.

I burst through the door gasping, and there is Baby, happy to see me, but I don’t pause.

“Where is he? DECLAN!” I run through the house, but I see nothing of him. “DECLAN! Declan, please! Declan! Please, please!” I run out the back door to check the ocean for the ship. That’s when I hear the crunch of tires on gravel.