Bound by the Past by Mari Carr

Night. I raped Sarah.”
    Night didn’t respond to his confession. He merely put a strong hand on Jon’s shoulder and pushed him back down to the couch. Night sat down as well and handed him the nearly empty bottle of whiskey. Jon drained it in one swallow.
    “Now,” Night said after he’d composed himself. “Tell me. All of it.”
    He began with just two words. The two words he’d never uttered to anyone before. “Rex knew.”
    “What did he know?”
    “All of it. He knew about Sarah and he knew I was going to betray him… had betrayed him. I’d stolen the documents from the office and delivered them to Reilly. I was coming to find you. Rex stopped me outside one of the training rooms in the dungeon. I didn’t know he knew about my betrayal. He pulled me into the room. It was dark and he was laughing. It sounded like he’d come unhinged.” Jon shuddered as he thought about how Rex’s cruel face looked just before he shut the door to the dim, damp room.
    Jon continued to talk, the words coming easily despite so many years trapped inside him. “I knew time was running out. I needed to get to you quickly before the CAA agents burst in. Reilly warned me not to be inside the compound when the bust went down. He said there would be shooting and tear gas. I was afraid you and Sarah would be killed in the crossfire.”
    “I found my own way out of the compound.” Night’s words were laced with the insult he apparently felt toward his ability to fend for himself. “Found you as well, if I’m not mistaken.”
    Jon laughed even though nothing felt funny. “I know, Night, but I felt an obligation to protect you. Sue me.”
    Night tried to smile at the joke, but his lips faltered on the action. “What happened in the training room?”
    Jon’s heart constricted as his memories returned to that dark room.
     
    “Come in. I have a rare treat for you tonight,” Rex said as he pulled him into the room and locked the door behind him.
    “Master Reverend, I’m afraid I’m needed elsewhere.” Jon’s reply sounded nervous and rushed. It was vitally important he not betray his fear. Rex would be able to smell it from a mile away.
    “You are needed here. I have commanded your presence and no one else’s needs take precedence over mine.” Rex’s voice was harsh and angry and Jon knew he’d made a big mistake.
    “Of course not, Master Reverend. I beg your forgiveness.”
    “That’s better,” Rex replied. “Besides, my dear boy, I’m offering you the chance of a lifetime in exchange for a few moments of your time.”
    Jon was immediately suspicious of Rex’s tone, but he was under the gun. He had to get out of this room, find Night, and hook up with Reilly and Sarah outside the compound. The four of them had to get the hell out of Dodge—now.
    “Anything, Master Reverend. I am happy to serve.” The false words tasted bitter on his tongue.
    Rex led him to a table. As his eyes adjusted to the near darkness, Jon saw the woman chained there. Her face was covered and he could barely make out her shape. His heart leapt to his throat as he realized what Rex wanted from him.
    “Train this slave, Master Jon. She’s been very disobedient and she needs a strong hand.”
    Jon froze and tried to come up with an excuse, any reason why he should be relieved from this duty. The clock was ticking and if he didn’t leave this room within the next fifteen minutes, chances were good he, Night and Sarah would all perish in the gunfight.
    “Master Reverend,” he began.
    “I sense your hesitation. Is something wrong? Is there something you need to confess to your father?”
    He knows.
    The words drilled their way into Jon’s consciousness like a jackhammer. He knew about his betrayal. Before he could answer, Rex crossed to the end of the table. “Let me make this very simple for you. Either you fuck this woman right now or I’ll cut her throat. Sinners must be punished.” Rex held a knife to her throat.
    Jon heard the