The Ritual

“She’s fine, darling.” LeAnne laughs as if this is a joke.

I look up at her, narrowing my eyes on hers. “You can leave too.”

She opens her mouth but Phil steps in next to her. “Come on. Let’s give them some space.”

“But …”

“You’ve got plenty of time to talk to her.” He assures LeAnne and all I can think is over my dead body! That bitch isn’t going to come near my wife. I don’t trust her.

“Alright.” She nods and looks over at a bloody, but very much alive Matt hanging from his restraints. “But what about …?”

“I’ll fucking handle it!” I snap, getting to my feet. “Get the fuck out!”

Her face hardens and she steps into me. “Listen here, boy.” She points a finger in my face. “Everything you have is because of me. I can take it away just like that …” Her fingers snap and I fist my hands to keep from snapping her goddamn neck.

“Now, now, now. It’s been a long day.” Phil grabs her shoulders and pulls her back from me. “We’re leaving.” He nods and then takes her hand, pulling her over to the stairs.

“Blake?” I bark with a little more bite than I meant to. It doesn’t faze her.

She sits on her knees, her clothes now soaked in blood and sniffing. “Come on.” I lean over, grabbing her under her arms and yanking her to her feet.

“I … killed her … I …”

I spin her around to face me, grabbing her face in both of my hands. “Look at me.”

Tears run down her cheeks, smearing her once pretty makeup. “She was going to take our babies …” She rushes out.

“Hey,” I say softly.

“I couldn’t … wouldn’t let her do that.” She licks her wet lips.

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Blake. It’s okay.”

“And Matt,” Her watery eyes go to his bloody body. “He was going to let her.”

“They can’t touch you, Blake. Never again.” I reassure her when I see something out of the corner of my eye. Taking a quick look, I expect it to be LeAnne but it’s Ty joining us.

“I promise,” she begins to cry. “I promise to protect them …” Dropping the knife at our feet, her arms cover her stomach.

My heart breaks for her. How unsure she must feel right now. All the lies she’s been told throughout her life. Hell, even I didn’t expect LeAnne to be alive. That for sure threw a curve ball. “I know.” I decide to say. Knowing that anything else won’t get through to her right now. “You did good, Blake.” I say running my hand over her long dark hair. “You’re my good girl.”

Her bloody hands grip my shirt, and she buries her face into it. Wrapping my arms around her shaking body, I hold her to me. I look over at Tyson who stands next to Matt, and I nod to him.

Tonight, did not go how I had planned, but at this point I just want it to end. I want to take my pregnant wife home, give her a bath, and move on with our life together.

Ty picks up a rope from the table and walks behind Matt. He wraps it around his neck multiple times and then throws it up to hang over the rafters. Pulling a knife out of his pocket, he leans down and cuts both that are wrapped around his ankles. Then Ty yanks on the new rope around his neck, pulling his bare feet up off the floor.

I slide an arm behind Blake’s knees and the other around her back, picking her up and start carrying her down the stairs while I listen to Matt struggle before silence falls over the cathedral.

EPILOGUE

RYAT

TEN WEEKS LATER

I ENTER THE cabin. “Blake?” I call out but am met with silence. “Blake?” I say a little louder but again get nothing in response. When I rush into our bedroom, the door hits the interior wall from my force. “Blakely?” I snap her full name.

Still nothing.

Entering the bathroom, I let out a sigh when I see steam coming from the shower. I start kicking my shoes off and undo my jeans, followed by my T-shirt. Opening the glass door, I find her standing with her back to me and her head under the water.

Reaching out, I wrap my arm around her and pull her off her feet, making her squeal. “Ryat!”

I spin her around and pin her back to the wall, cupping her face, and she laughs.

“You scared me.”

“Sorry.” I smile, and she gives me a face that says she knows I’m not the least bit sorry. “How much do you love me?” My hands drop to her growing belly. We just found out last week that we’re having twin boys. I couldn’t be more ecstatic, but a part of me feels sorry for my wife. The fact that she’s going to live in a house with me and two boys just like me. Good thing she’s stubborn and hardheaded.