DJ was crouched beside Mercy, one of his big hands yanking at her chain. In his other hand he held a pair of bolt cutters, and he proceeded to cut the chain from Mercy’s neck. But Mercy wasn’t fighting to breathe. She was as limp as a rag doll, pliant in DJ’s harsh grip.

DJ rose, holding both chains now. Rhoda thought he’d put them in the truck, but he strode toward a grassy area and used the bolt cutters to dig a shallow hole into which he threw the lockets. He covered them up, patting at the grass he’d cut away until the area looked undisturbed.

Rhoda stumbled to Mercy’s side, dropping to her knees beside her daughter. “Mercy? Say something. Please.”

But Mercy remained frozen where she lay, still in the fetal position. Wildly Rhoda searched the area, but the parking lot was deserted. There was no one to hear her. No one to help.

DJ was returning, his face dark and furious.

“What did you do to her?” Rhoda demanded, beyond caring what he’d do to silence her. All thoughts were for the daughter she’d failed in every possible way.

DJ smiled and the sight sent a cold shiver across her skin. “I told her that Brother Ephraim was on his way.”

The cold shiver became paralyzing dread. “Is he?”

DJ just smiled bigger. And drew a gun from beneath his jacket.

Rhoda’s heart stopped. This was it, then. The moment he killed her. “No. Not in front of her. Please.”

DJ laughed. “You made your bargain, Rhoda. I kept my end. You’re both here. Out of Eden.” He lifted the gun, but to Rhoda’s horror, he pointed it at Mercy.

Rhoda threw herself over her child. “No! You promised!”

“I promised to get you out. I never promised to let you live.” Leaning over, he pulled Rhoda away from Mercy as if she weighed nothing.

She expected a loud blast, but all she heard was a little pop.

Silencer, she thought dully. He planned this. He never intended to let either of us go.

Mercy’s body jerked and a bright red stain began to spread on the front of her dress.

“No.” No, no, no. Rhoda was sobbing, reaching for her daughter, but DJ held her just far enough away. “Mercy? Mercy. Please. Open your eyes. Please.”

Mercy’s eyelids fluttered open. Mama. She mouthed the word, no sound emerging.

“Say goodbye to Mama,” DJ said mockingly as he pressed the gun to Rhoda’s abdomen.

Rhoda’s body jolted, a searing pain exploding in her gut. She screamed, unable to contain the excruciating pain. How was Mercy not screaming?

But she wasn’t. Her daughter lay on the ground, staring up at her. She was still breathing, though. She’s still alive.

“Mercedes,” Rhoda ground out. “Find Gideon. Gideon Reynolds.”

Mercy didn’t respond, continuing to stare, her eyes filled with confusion, pain, and terror.

“Shut up, Rhoda,” DJ snarled. “She’s not going to find anyone. She’s going to die here. Just like Gideon did. Just like you are.”