The Enforcer's Bride

Chapter 13

Jude

I carried Hannah’s limp body through Lilith’s main hall and down a back passageway. Jillian was waiting with a key to the girl’s quarters already, she must’ve seen the surveillance footage.

Jillian brushed a hair off Hannah’s forehead.

“My god Jude,” she murmured and shook her head, dark hair hiding her expression.

“Are you judging me?” I glared at Jillian. She stopped and looked at me, not responding. She didn’t have to say anything, I knew I’d gone too far with Hannah. Jillian turned back to the door, scanned her keycard and allowed me entry to the girl’s quarters.

The heavy metal door swung open to a plush bunkroom to a gaggle of females in various states of readiness for the evening’s activities. Some women were stretched out on their beds dressed in sets on lingerie while others primped in front of makeup mirrors. They turned around to observe the intrusion into their space but didn’t say a word, they knew better.

“Put her over here, we’ll send word when she’s awake.” Jillian motioned to a single bed in the corner. “We’ll make sure she’s bathed and returned in condition.”

I nodded, laying Hannah’s naked body carefully down on her back. Unconsciously Hannah stiffened and rolled onto her side, away from the blooming bruises on her backside. My stomach dropped. I knew I let my anger get the best of me, I lost control. I ran my hand through her bright red hair, kissed her forehead and left her in Jillian’s care.

I walked briskly down the hallways, up the stairs and through the Enforcer’s Headquarters. This building is purposefully designed like a maze, designed to keep initiates wandering the hallways aimlessly looking for escape.

I burst straight into my father’s Elder Councilman office, not even bothering to knock. Startled, he stood up and reached his hand into his desk drawer for his revolver, then immediately relaxed realizing it was just me.

“He is Salvation,” my father puffed, leaning back into his seat.

“We are Saved,” I stood in front of my father’s desk, not knowing quite where to begin. I'd been with women previously, it was expected of me. The women in Lilith's were both distraction and escape but I'd never been as rough with them as I had Hannah.

“Is everything alright?” My father motioned to my face, my glasses were still in my pocket. Nothing escaped his critical eye. I never took my glasses off unless I was training with the men, and I wasn’t dressed to train.

“I caught Hannah going through my personal items in my office,” I took out my glasses and cleaning cloth, meticulously running the cloth over the black frames. My father’s eyes narrowed.

“I knew she was trouble Jude, you should’ve let the council make an example of her. She’s tasted the outside world and she will never stop until she leaves The Province once again.”

“I already punished her, I took her to Lilith’s.” 

“WHAT?” My father’s face flushed in anger, “Lilith’s is only for the highest ranking men in The Province, it is not a place for proper women, your wife is to come to your bed pure!”

“I used the Black Room, she is still pure, but I think I went too far.” I ran my hand through my dark hair. “I think I hurt her.”

“Hurt her how?” Councilman Wyse sat down in his seat, leaning back.

“I used the paddle, it looks like she will be severely bruised.”

My father waved his hand, “What you did was a mercy compared to if you allowed the Sisters to administer punishment. Bruises will heal, she needs to understand your power, your control.” He went back to reading the papers scattered on his desk.

“But what if I lost control?” I murmured. My father looked at me in the eyes.

“She is still alive, you did not lose control. Jude, this girl sees you as the man who took her freedom. She will not stop resisting until you break her resolve.” My father shuffled the papers on his desk, got up and turned to leave. “If she remains a flight risk, she will be disposed of and you will marry a proper woman, understood?”

“Understood.”