“Oh, goodness yes,” I agree, still overwhelmed by the whole building. “They have everything. State-of-the-art equipment and so technologically advanced, it’s amazing. I am really taken aback by the whole thing. I mean, they even have a med wing for mental and physical health.”
“Exactly. Elli Adler has built one hell of a program, which is good for us because it means our boys will play hard for us to get to the Assassins—because everyone wants to play for the Assassins.”
After today, I can see why, even with Shelli’s bout of unprofessionalism. Hell, if I could play hockey, I’d want to play there. “I’m overwhelmed and terrified, but I am going to make you proud.”
He smiles gently. “Austen, you continue to make me proud just by waking up. I know you are the right person for this job. That’s why I chose you and not Louisa.”
I was surprised he didn’t. Louisa is the eldest after all.
“I know. But still, I want to do everything right.”
“And you are. You wrote me a whole report with pictures included, and then you drove home. You’re already exceeding my expectations.”
My face warms. “Thanks, Peepaw.”
“Absolutely, darling. I know you’re in good hands. I’ve known the Fishers for a long time. Elli’s uncle, Bryan, and I were close friends before his passing. I watched Elli grow up, went to her wedding and all the kids’ weddings. We’ll go to one of the twins’ at the end of the month. They’re good people.”
“I didn’t know you knew them so well,” I say, surprised, and then fear creeps in. I want to snap my wrist, but I can’t in front of my peepaw. He’ll take the rubber band and break it. I may have an endless supply of them, but they’re packed away, and I can’t drive without it. He hates the rubber band. I think, as it does for me, it reminds him of what happened when I was with New Beginnings. As much as I want to leave all that in the past, I know the rubber band is something I can’t. I sure as hell don’t want anyone knowing about it, though. “So, they know about us?”
He shakes his head. “God, no. Bryan knew, but our secret died with him.”
Oh. Thank God. “If you told him, he must have been special to you.”
“Greatest man I knew.” He lets out a breath, and I can tell he is uncomfortable. After a moment, he changes the subject. “I’m a little worried about you staying in the players’ housing.”
I wave him off. “I’ll be fine. If I can survive the Grandmaster, I can survive anything.”
He grimaces. “True, but be careful. And remember, athletes are players.”
I make a face. “I feel like you’re implying I can’t make that decision on my own.”
“Never,” he says with a sheepish grin. “But watch out. A gorgeous girl like you? With the future you have? You’re prime marriage material.”
“Please,” I snort. “After what I went through, the last thing on my mind is men.”
And it’s not a lie. Or even an effort to ease Peepaw’s concerns. It’s just how it is.
Sadness fills my peepaw’s face. Out of all the girls, I was the one who was treated the worst. “I hear you,” he whispers, squeezing my hand. “But also, please remember not to inconvenience the Adlers. They’re doing a huge favor for us.”
“I know, Peepaw.”
He squeezes my hand lovingly once more, just as the door to our farmhouse flies open and my sisters come running out joyously with a few of my bags. A smile takes over my face at the sight of them, all so free and happy. Five years ago, there was hardly any laughter between us. We were always scared, always worried about what could happen next. My mother was no help, and she’d just as soon throw us into the Halo before disappointing the Grandmaster. I don’t like to be so vicious, but I hate her with all the fibers of my being. She allowed us to be endangered for her own personal gain. To get closer to the Grandmaster, who would lead her into the heavens. It’s all trash, and it was all for something we girls didn’t even believe in. She forced it on us. Religiously, repeatedly.
Oh, how lucky I am to be away. How grateful I am to Peepaw for saving me. When I left five years ago, I was only able to get two of my sisters to come, Eliza and Elliot. The two closest to my age. Louisa, the eldest, always wanted to leave. There wasn’t a day that passed when she didn’t talk about getting away from everything, but she couldn’t leave us behind. I owe her so much, and while she is a basket case most days, her love for us protected us.
When Louisa did something wrong, or any of us did, they took it out on her. Especially my mother. She would beat Louisa with a cane across her shoulders anytime she disobeyed—and Louisa always disobeyed. She has scary scars. As do Eliza and I, but ours are across the backs of our thighs. Some from our mother and some from the Grandmaster, and even some from the men of the Halo. I hated that Louisa didn’t come with us when we left, but I knew she couldn’t leave Clara. She was a second mother to us all, and she had to protect the youngest one.
What we didn’t plan on was Louisa being chosen to marry. She endured that man for six years before she couldn’t take it any longer. After a fourth beating to a bloody pulp by her “husband,” she had to go. They weren’t legally married, only married by the New Beginning’s God. But we all quickly learned there was no God in our family.
The only thing I can say about that man is he is a spawn of Satan. As are all the men in New Beginnings. While I didn’t get beaten as much, I was continually put in the Halo.
I was so lucky I got out before I was chosen to marry, as was Eliza. I think that’s what convinced me to leave—when I watched my sister be forced to marry a man who not only beat her, but forced himself on her. I can still feel the anguish of watching her get slapped on her binding day. She hesitated to kiss him when it was time, and he hauled off and smacked her. Hard. No one in the hall even winced but my sisters and me. This wasn’t what we wanted.
As soon as Louisa called from the cell phone I had hidden for her when I was leaving, Peepaw picked her up moments later. He wished Clara were with her, but Clara didn’t turn eighteen until six months ago. She called us multiple times a day from the hidden cell phone Louisa left her and begged us to smuggle her out. But we knew where she was, and if we tried to take her, they’d move or have us arrested for kidnapping a minor. So, the day she turned eighteen, we showed up at the end of the road to the compound at midnight, with balloons and a cake.
And once more, my family was whole.
Without the fear and torment of the Grandmaster.
Eliza throws a bag in the back of my car, and Clara clasps her arms around my waist. Louisa and Elliot stand beside Peepaw, leaning into him. He wraps his arms around them tightly, and my heart swells. We never have to question if we are loved by him; he loves us wholeheartedly, and it shows.
“Are you sure you have to go?” Clara asks, and I kiss her on the top of her head.
“Yes. The drive will kill me.” I laugh, and she smiles.
“Will you come home on weekends, or are you going to leave me with these girls?” Peepaw teases, and we all laugh.
“Probably until the season starts, and then I’ll be traveling with the team.”