Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Leo nodded. “Prayer is the most valuable spiritual discipline there is. An altar magnifies the prayer.”
He’s a dying man, hoping to enter the gates of heaven.
I looked down at the money and felt guilty. “Leo. . .I. . .would pray for you for free—”
“Of course you would. That’s why you get the money.” Leo’s smile widened. “Not only did I see the desperation in you, but I saw the goodness. Precious souls radiate. You glow like the sun.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“And now for my final promise.”
I braced myself, not sure where this was going.
Leo gave me a stern look. “When you have your firstborn son, you will name him, Leo. Regardless of how much your husband may protest.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “What?”
Leo didn’t smile. “That’s the third promise.”
I quirked my brows. “You’re serious?”
“I am.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Um. . .Okay. I don’t even know if I’ll have kids—”
“You will.” Song’s expression appeared as if that was a death threat.
“O-kay.”
A bump came from the back.
I glanced behind them. The wooden circular door began to close. I didn’t see anyone slipping wood down. It must have been controlled by a remote. However, the entrance began to shift into a wall as if closing us in.
A beep came on my left and then my right. Water stopped trickling down those two rock walls. Then, circular entrances appeared.
Still holding onto the money, I rushed and slipped on my shoes.
Leo’s voice grabbed my attention. “I never asked you why you shaved your head.”
Song frowned. “We must go, Brother.”
Leo raised his gray eyebrows. “Why did you cut it all off? It’s odd for a woman to not let her hair grow.”
“When my mother was going through chemotherapy, she started losing her hair. And. . .she just felt. . .like less of a woman. Society thinks that in order to be a woman, one must have long, flowing locks.” I shrugged. “I’m a woman, long hair or not. So, my sister Jo and I shaved off our hair to show her how beautiful bald women truly are. We both resemble her so we wanted to be her mirrors.”
“If you resemble her, then, she must’ve been quite captivating.” He frowned. “When did she pass?”
“Almost a year ago.”
“You could have let your hair grow back by now.”
“I know, but. . .I’m not ready to see my hair yet. At least when I see my head bald, I think of Mom and that moment when she saw Jo and I walk in.”
He gave me a warm smile. “What did she do?”
I grinned. “She laughed, cried, and screamed at us, all at once. And for the rest of that week, she would see us, shake her head, and laugh again. It was worth it just to see her enjoyment.”
Song cleared his throat and took out a small handgun.
Leo sighed. “I’m glad God introduced you to me.”
“Me too.”
“Enjoy your day, Monique.”
“I will, and it’s all thanks to you.”
“We must leave now.” Song handed me the small gun. “Take this.”
I looked down at it. “Umm.”
“It’s loaded and on safety. You will need it.” Song pointed left. “You must go that way.”
I stared at it. “Where does it lead?”
“Take another left and you’ll be on Main Street. Go south and you’ll bump into the church.” Song guided Leo away.
“We part here.” Leo walked off and waved. “I have demons to slay, while you have angels to talk to.”
“Thank you again.”
“No. Thank God and tell him I sent you.” Leo headed off. “And don’t forget my other promises, Monique.”
“I won’t.”
They got to the circular entrance on the right and stepped over it.
Holding on to the briefcase of money, I grabbed another pork bun and rushed to the other circular doorway.
Thank you, God.
A great sense of gratitude washed over me. Never in my life had I experienced such a day. In one moment, I feared for the threat of death and prostitution. In the next moment, God sent an angel my way.
Okay. I’ll pray for Leo at the church’s altar and then I’ll give this money to Dutch and Snow.
Chapter six
Demons at the Altar
Monique
Getting out of the restaurant was easy.
Once I stepped through the huge circle, I went left, rushed down the hallway, and pushed through a metal door. As I hurried, Leo’s heavy cross lifted and tapped against my chest.
I stepped outside on a busy street corner.
Chilly wind hit me.
Thunder boomed.
Walking forward, I looked up at the darkening sky and kept the briefcase close to me.
Everything is going to be alright. Thank God.
I wouldn’t lie. There was a few minutes of the walk to the church where I considered keeping the money for myself, turning around, and rushing to Paradise to grab my sisters.
$75,000 could change our lives.
Rubbing the handle with my thumb, I forced myself to stay on the mission.
No way. We would be on the run from Dutch forever.