Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) by Nancy Glynn Page B

eye
sockets. Her father stared at her like a stranger. Gloria sat next to him with glass
eyes penetrating through her.
    Christian held
her hand and raised it above their heads. “Hail Daisy!” he shouted.
    “Hail Daisy!”
the crowd shouted back.
    He’s one of
them! No, it was much worse. He was their master! But her heart screamed no, he
was good...good! Pretend, he had told her, so pretend she will!
    She cleared her
throat. “Thank you, everyone! I’m so proud to stand here tonight side-by-side
with Christian, my true love. And to be part of something other parts of the
world know nothing about!”
    More cheers
erupted, stomping their feet and clapping, thrilled at her compliance. She
caught Dane off to the side, down below, with a look of terror on his face, and
wondered why. Christian winked at her, and they both bowed to their followers.
    He turned to
kiss her, making her feel dizzy. “Good girl,” he said against her mouth in a
low voice.
    Jack spoke
behind them and instructed everyone to go outside.
    Christian
smiled. “This is where the party begins." That look was in his eyes,
pulling her in.
    A battle began
in her. She felt herself wanting this life, to be his queen and he her king
forever, letting God slip from her fingers. These people loved her. But then
she remembered her mother’s words. A power lived in her that scared them. When
she looked into Christian’s beautiful brown eyes, she forgot about that power.
    They walked
down the aisle holding hands. Her life had never been this exciting. She got
caught up in the magic of it all, forgetting what it all really meant.
    “Welcome,
Daisy! I can’t wait for the ball!" Random guests shouted to her.
    She smiled and
held their hands. Could she really go through with the ball, she wondered? She
wished this was it and there was nothing more to do, just her and Christian
together and that would be the end of it.
    A man came up
to her and pulled his hood down. She stiffened when he spoke. “Daisy, will you
ever forgive me, darling?” her father begged. “I was only doing this for your
own good. You know how much I adore you.”
    Just pretend
she reminded herself. “Of course, Daddy. I understand." She allowed him to
hug her, feeling sick.
    Gloria stood
there with her cold stare as always, but smiling lips. “I’m so glad this worked
out, Daisy. Your father is so proud of you, and I’m glad you like Christian. We
worried what would happen if you didn’t, so thank the devil you do!" She
hugged her. Bile built up in Daisy’s throat, and forced it back down.
    Her aunt and
uncle stood off to the side, smiling and waving at her. Aunt Betty still looked
so sweet. She had been deceived by all.
    Dane was
nowhere to be found, which was strange.
    That young girl
was there by her side again, smiling up with her big, blue eyes. Daisy smelled
her daisies to show her appreciation to which the girl bowed.
    The sound of
church bells gonged outside eleven times. She didn’t realize it was that late.
    Christian
turned to her and ushered her to a room in the back. “Come with me, Daisy. We
have some business to clear up with Jack.”
    “Business?"
She followed him, excusing herself from her mingling. People emptied the church
to go out to the wooded section, as they disappeared to the back of the church.
    She walked into
a more well-lit room with metal chairs, and a podium near the center for
sermons. Paintings of some of the Presidents of the United States covered the
walls as well as of William Stone and various other leaders over the years.
    “Hello, Daisy.”
Jack greeted from a podium. “You remember your cousin, Dane?”
    Her eyes
widened as she witnessed Dane be dragged out by two men on each arm, his face
bruised and bleeding with gashes.
    “Dane! Are you
okay? What’s going on here?" She knew he was a pig, but he didn’t deserve
this.
    Jack smiled.
“Christian, why don’t you explain it to your lady.”
    “Daisy, Dane is
the one who... raped you,”