Preacher Man

by Jessa Kane

The town preacher, Joseph Stark. A man whose very job is to quiet the devil inside his followers, yet he teases Lucifer himself to life inside me. Makes him dance.

One might think a former mafia hit man would have better self control. When it comes to Mila, only Mila, they would be wrong. I slip more and more toward madness with every day that passes without me inside her.

“The baptism didn’t work,” she whispers. “I still have the devil inside me, preacher.” A fist tightens around my throat. “Who told you the devil lives inside you?”

“I’m going to make you my queen first, Mila. And when we get home, I’ll make you my little princess.”

“I bought these the day you turned eighteen. I couldn’t help it. You’ve been my dream since you walked into the church. I’ll take you to the ocean, Mila. I’ll love you the whole way there and every damn day afterward. That’s my promise.”

“I’m the only man who is ever—ever—going to come inside here, do you understand me, little girl?”

“My wife. Mine. Forever and ever.” My upper lip curls. “Amen.”

“You need to understand, Mila. If you ever leave me, I’d dismantle this world, country by country, until I found you and brought you home.”

“I love you, baby girl. I’ll be back. No one is going to shoot at my fucking wife and live to see another day.”