“My father absolutely lied to you. He got Gideon out. Don’t feel bad. I didn’t know until a month ago myself.”

Pastor’s jaw clenched. “And Mercy? Why help her escape?”

“I didn’t mean for her to escape. I was playing with them, her and her whore mother. Made them think that they were getting out. Then I shot them, but someone came along and I had to leave Mercy there. She should have died from that gut wound. That’s why I shoot people in the head now, when I can.” Like he should have done to Gideon that day in the radio station parking lot. But he’d been operating on reflex and trauma. He hadn’t been thinking. “Mercy was saved. She and Gideon reconnected. They’re not going to rest until you’re dead.”

And me, too, but they’ll have to catch me first.

One side of Pastor’s mouth lifted. “I have to say I’m a little proud. Taunting Mercy and her mother that way. You learned that from me.”

It burned to have to admit that the old man was right about that. “My point is that Waylon lied to you. Lied to all of us. He brought back a corpse and told us it was Gideon, because he let the little fucker go. Do you think he told the truth about your wife and kids?”

Pastor’s half smile disappeared. “He helped them escape? They’re alive?”

“It’s possible, isn’t it? I’d think probable, even. Your daughter was almost twelve and, as I recall, your wife didn’t want her married off. So she ran. And my father helped her.”

Pastor huffed a mirthless chuckle. “Your father was weak. And despite your best efforts, you’re his son. Help me up. We need to get to Eden. I can’t imagine what trouble they’ve caused after a few days without a firm hand. You’ll clean up any messes they’ve made. And then you’ll fix your own mistakes and take care of Gideon and Mercy. And then, if you’re still alive, you’ll find my wife and children and bring them to me.”

“And if I do?”

Pastor’s half smile returned. “We’ll talk about access codes.”

“You’re lying to me.”

“Maybe. But you’ll do as I say. You always do as I say. I trained you myself. You’ve always done as I’ve said. After all, you went with McPhearson when you could have said no. Gideon did. At least he fought back. He wasn’t weak.”

DJ stared, barely able to process the words past the pounding of his pulse in his ears. Years of McPhearson’s abuse, the rape, the hurt . . . it all rushed back in a wave that left him numb.

Gideon wasn’t weak? And I was?

Shock turned to fury and then to cold, brutal realization. Pastor wasn’t going to give him the codes. He’d never planned to give him any of the money at all. It was a ploy, a carrot. A way to continue to control and manipulate him. Like he’s done for my whole life.