Dark Side of the Cloth by Brooklyn Cross

“Go in peace,” Dean said, finishing the service.

“And peace be with you,” the parishioners’ voices echoed back.

Dean turned to the altar boy and handed over the items to be taken to his office, and he walked down the few stairs of the raised platform to mingle with the parishioners. This was one part of the job he genuinely didn’t mind—he heard some of the best rumors and also had a few laughs.

What he was most interested in today was the sweet little ginger with her big green eyes sitting in the furthest pew. She stayed seated while he made the rounds and eventually ushered the rest of the people out. Closing the door on the last of those that had attended, he turned his gaze to the only woman that had ever made his heart beat uncontrollably.

Yasmine didn’t look at him. She sat still, hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes steadfastly pointed toward the front of the church. He took slow strides down the long pew, taking in her serious expression as he sat beside her.

“It’s been two weeks,” Yasmine finally said.

Her eyes turned to his—those innocent green eyes searched his face. He placed his hand on both of hers, and she jerked them out from under his touch. His heart ached as he looked into her pained features.

“You…we…I…” Yasmine looked away, a tear shimmering in her eye. “Did I mean anything to you, or were you just filling some sudden sexual fantasy?” She harshly whispered.

She stared at her hands, biting that lush lip.

“I have feelings, wrong or not, and…” She stopped again. “I deserve an explanation. You owe me that at least.”

“Yasmine, I’m sorry—I…I’m just really sorry.”

The rest of the apology died in his throat. He didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, he’d rip her pretty dress right off her body here and now and fuck her on the pew, with the statue of Jesus watching. On the other hand, he’d already exposed too much about his true self.

“You’re sorry? That’s it?” She lifted her head to look at him, her eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a fine line. “I guess your silence says everything.”

Yasmine stood and zipped around the end of the pew before he could stop her.

Dean knew he should let her go. She was better off, and he was better off. Her finding out about him was too much of a risk, but as she stormed away, he just couldn’t let it happen. Gripping the edge of the pew, he swung his legs over the back, his long strides eating up the distance between them.

Dean grabbed Yasmine by the arm and spun her around. A small squeal left her lips with the sudden whirling motion. He cupped her face, placing a soft kiss on her lips, his heart beating wildly from being in her proximity. Images of her calling out his name in ecstasy flashed before his eyes, making his body hot all over. The flutter of her beautiful eyelashes and soft moan had every part of his body hard and standing at attention.

“I want you all the time even though I shouldn’t,” he whispered. He searched her face, looking for forgiveness, maybe? Yasmine’s body trembled in his hold. “I have a second service in a few hours, but I will meet you at your place, and we can go to Mabel’s. I fear what I will do if left alone with you for too long. You make me want to do things I shouldn’t, but please say you’ll meet me?”

“Okay.” Came her soft reply.

He placed another chaste kiss on her lips. She looked at him from under hooded eyes and nodded as he stepped back, calmly clasping his hands together just as the large wooden door opened, bathing the front of the church in golden light. To anyone looking in, it would seem they were finishing up an innocent conversation.

“Peace be with you, child,” he said as Yasmine slipped out past the sheriff who was holding the door.

“Thank you, Sheriff Daniels,” Yasmine gave the man a small smile as she left.

“Ma’am.” The sheriff took off his large-brimmed hat and held it down at his side.

Dean offered the white-haired man a small smile.

“Sheriff, you just missed the service, but I have an afternoon one if you’d like to attend?” Dean could feel his large knife snuggly fitted in the sheath across his back and hoped he wouldn’t have to resort to using it on this man. He was a good man, a man of the uniform, and was not a sinner. His rule was strict unless his life, or his mission, was in jeopardy.

“No Father, I didn’t come for service. Although I feel I should talk to someone after what I saw last night.”

The sheriff sighed before walking a little further into the church. Dean watched him for any sign that he’d been discovered as the sheriff looked up toward the front at the massive statue of Jesus on the cross.

“I have come because I was asked to consult on a case last night. They only brought me in because the man was a suspect in a case I was a part of years ago.”

“Was the case one you solved?”

“Sadly, no. But this man last night kept saying one word over and over again, and I can’t help thinking that what happened to him is connected. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was very disturbing, and it had similarities to—” He stopped talking and tapped the large Stetson against his leg. “I don’t know. It seems too farfetched.”

“What does?”

“Hmm? Oh sorry, I was thinking out loud.”

“I’m sorry, Sheriff, what you saw must have been very upsetting for you to show up here and be so distraught. How can I help?”

The sheriff leaned against the pew. His eyes averted to the wooden floor.

“I know people come to you and that they share their deepest and darkest secrets with you.” You don’t know the half of it. “I know that this is wrong to ask, but has anyone mentioned may be seeking revenge or wanting to be a vigilante?”

“You know I cannot share the secrets of those that come to me. I called you about Tim Baker because the person called as an anonymous individual not seeking the confidence of my silence, and I believe they wanted you to find what Tim had done.”

“I know, I just thought… maybe this one time you could make an exception?”

Dean sighed and made his way over to stand across from the sheriff and mirrored the relaxed position.

“I can tell you this, no one has come to me mentioning anything like what you have asked, but if you want names of those that have come to confess making ill-advised statements, I will not incriminate them.” Dean rubbed his face. “Sometimes people just need an ear. They are angry and need to vent, then ask for forgiveness for their dark thoughts. But, it’s not my belief that any of the parishioners that come into this church would actually hurt anyone.”

The sheriff tapped his hat once more against his leg.

“Yeah, I thought so too. None of them fit the profile. Thank you for sharing that with me Father, I think I just needed a few moments here in your presence and God’s. You know?”

Dean stepped forward and placed a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“You are a good man. Take as long as you like to collect your thoughts. The Lord is here for you, as am I.”

Dean left the sheriff leaning against the pew and made his way to the office. One day he may be discovered, and one day he may need to kill to keep his secret, but luckily today was not that day, but he definitely needed to be extra careful.