Heart Recaptured

by Tillie Cole

Lowering my head, I tried to relax. Then Ky crawled on the bed, curled his strong arms under my legs and back. Carefully Ky lifted me to his heaving sweaty chest.

  Ky rocked me back and forth and said, “I’m so sorry, baby. I…didn’t realize they’d pull something like this. I knew they were pissed, but to come after you… They’re jealous fuckin’ bitches. Raging that I dumped their rancid asses a few nights ago. They didn’t take it too well.”

  My bottom lip quivered. Shock was setting in and Ky muttered something under his breath. Ky covered me with my ripped and bloodied slip.

  Ky stroked back my hair and said, “Fuck, Li,” in a pained voice. I could not speak. My stomach was in knots and my constant trembling felt unbearable.

  Ky drew in a long breath and asked, “Did they touch you, Li? Was I too fuckin’ late?”

  Managing to nod my head to indicate yes, Ky’s rage was palpable. Then he stood abruptly and went into the washroom. A few seconds later, he came out with a wet white washcloth. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ky began cleaning my injuries in the most delicate fashion.

  The taste of blood now seemed normal in my mouth.

  Ky’s expression was stone. With every new injury he found, he became tenser. When he pressed the cloth against my bruised cheek, I flinched. Ky asked tightly, “Lilah, why the fuck were you down here tonight? I told you the rules. I told you to never come down without me. That it was dangerous.”

  Ky implored me to answer with his harsh stare. Using my hands to shift higher up the bed, I gathered my wits and, feeling rather foolish, I said, “I… I was looking for you.”

  Ky’s eyebrows pulled down and suddenly his expression softened.

  His fingers met my forehead and he pushed back my hair. “You were looking for me?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, my focus now on the bed linen. “I saw you return home and I so wanted to greet you. I saw you enter the yard and felt… felt an overwhelming sense of excitement to see you again.”

  “You did?” Ky rasped out, and my gaze slammed to his. “Baby…” I watched him take a deep swallow, and he lifted my hand, pressing a kiss to the skin on the back.

  My breathing stuttered and my heart fluttered in my chest.

  “Even still, sweet cheeks, you shouldn’t have been down here alone. It ain’t safe for a bitch to be unprotected.”

  “I am sorry,” I said and began to cry. “Tiff and Jules followed me to your room and attacked me. They said they wanted to find out why you liked me over them, why you had left them for me…then they touched me, rid me of my clothes and kept telling me I was beautiful as they touched me against my will…”

  The temperature in the room dropped fifty degrees as Ky’s face became glacial. “Those motherfuckin’ whores did what?” he exclaimed through gritted teeth.

  “Ky.” I worried when I saw that glint of rage return and burn brightly in his eyes.

  But Ky could not be soothed or tamed. “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill them!” Jumping from the bed, he marched to the door and stormed into the hallway.

  Clutching the linen in my hands, I dragged myself off the bed, struggling for breath at the discomfort of my face. I wrapped the sheet around me, covering my bare skin, and quickly shuffled to the bar after Ky.

  Seeing him storm down the hallway and throw open the door, I picked up my pace and entered just in time to see Ky scattering “hang-around” men and tables out of his way. I followed the trail of destruction. In his sights were Tiff and Jules, being heavily guarded by Cowboy and Hush.

  “You motherfuckin’ sluts!” Ky shouted at a frightening volume, attracting the attention of everyone in the lounge. Their terrified eyes fell on a seething Ky pounding toward them and they tried to back away in obvious fear.

  “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you!” Ky threatened. Suddenly, AK grabbed Ky from behind, holding him back, his hand barely missing their faces.

  “Get the fuck off me, brother!” he roared at AK as Smiler jumped next to Ky, helping AK maintain his grip.

  “Calm down, brother. What the fuck did the lickin’ twins do to you? Bit your cock or some shit?” Viking asked, looking back and forth between Ky and the women.

  Ky stilled, then boomed out, “What did they do! They fuckin’ just attacked Lilah! Pinned her to the bed and had their fingers all over her tits and pussy as she screamed!”

  This time, the entire room quieted and all the Hangmen stilled, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

  Ky tried to break free from AK and Smiler, screaming, “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you both, you ugly fuckin’ sluts! KILL YOU!”

  Tiff was petrified at Ky’s anger, her bottom lip trembling, but Jule’s face contorted into an expression of bitterness. She lifted her chin in defiance.

  “She fuckin’ deserved it!” Jules said, a cutting edge to her voice. My breath faltered at her words. “We’ve been servicing your dick for years and never once have you talked about making one or both us your old ladies. Not fuckin’ once, even though you used our pussies anytime, anywhere, anyhow! But then she comes along, hell, all three of those cult bitches turn up, and all your fuckin’ brothers drop their mouths every time they pass by, like y’all are under a fuckin’ spell. And you…” She nudged her chin at Ky. “You calling out the blond bitch’s name while buried in my ass, wishing I was her, every single time! She’s like some fuckin’ voodoo witch or some shit, making y’all pussy-blind and her goddamn fuckin’ puppet!”

  I suddenly felt sick at her words. She’s like some fuckin’ voodoo witch or some shit… her goddamn fuckin’ puppet. I did not want to imagine Ky with those two women, taking them in such seductive ways. In fact, if I was being completely truthful, I did not want to think of him with any other woman but me, full stop. But I knew no man could ever truly love a Cursed Woman of Eve. And no woman of Eve could ever have the love of a pure soul. Prophet David made sure I understood that truth from being a child; memorized the scripture, in case I ever forgot my role in this life.

  Ky smiled a sardonic and humorless smile. Jules observed him with wary eyes as Ky hissed, “Because y’all are fuckin’ dirty, haggard sluts! Lilah’s fuckin’ pure and wouldn’t fuck a man just for the sake of fucking a Hangmen, getting cash for coke and ice and whatever else you can vacuum up your nose or rub on your skanky gums! Nah, bitch. I weren’t ever gonna make a whore like you my old lady. You’re good for a fuck ‘cause there ain’t no limits, but you ain’t good for anything else, you dumb, stupid bitch.”

  Jules paled and Tiff, who was now crying, pulled Jules back to her chest. But Ky could not stop. He was livid.

  “Y’all were cheap fucks, nothing more. I tolerated you for pussy on tap, but you touching Lilah just fuckin’ broke me. I want to hurt you. I want y’all to fuckin’ feel the pain Li did when you pinned her to the bed, hitting her perfect face and tearing off her fuckin’ clothes, YOUR DIRTY FINGERS RUBBING AT HER MOTHERFUCKIN’ CUNT!”

  “Brother, calm down,” AK said, struggling to keep hold of Ky, the ring from Ky’s loud sneer still playing in my ear. “And fuckin’ talk to us. What the fuck’s just gone down?”

  But Ky would not listen to AK. The situation was spiraling out of control, and I did not want more violence. I did not want violence being carried out, anymore, in my name.

  It was my curse. Driving men mad with lust, the devil playing his game with his pawns for his own sick amusement. And Ky was becoming another victim, sacrificing all he knew and the people around him to defend me.

  So attempting to be brave, I decided to step into the bar to stop the madness, my foot pressing a creaking floorboard. At the sound of the aged wood beneath my feet, a sea of eyes turned to meet mine. The brothers all tensed as they caught sight of me.

  I had not seen my injured face but could guess its distressed state. I could feel its state. The brothers had also never seen me without my headdress, my blond hair out on display, my temptress looks in full effect. And I was wrapped in linen.

  I was every inch the harlot. />
  AK shook Ky, murmuring something in his ear. Eventually, Ky ripped his attention from the two trembling women, almost buried in the wall, and focused on me.

  “Lilah! What the fuck, baby,” he said in exasperation, pulling his arms away from AK and Smiler. They now had no choice but to let him go. Ky came barreling toward me, scooping me straight up in his arms, no time for me to protest.

  His lips brushed against my forehead and his strong hold made me feel safe.

  Ky’s hold was almost painful as he gripped my legs. Somebody coughed from behind, and when I looked to the side, Letti was walking through with Bull, Tank, and Beauty not far behind. They must have been at the back of the room.

  “Let me take care of them, VP,” she said in her strange accent. Bull’s tattooed face shone proud as he hovered behind his wife, his mammoth arms crossed tightly over his chest. “You’ll never have to see them again. They won’t dare come back. And thank fuck for that, ‘cause I was getting real sick of their rancid pussies always out for the men. I ain’t had any fun in a while, so messing with their faces’ll make my damn day. They fucked up touching Lilah. They’ll never fuckin’ get near her again.”

  Ky paused for a moment but eventually conceded. “Make it real fuckin’ slow, Lett. Make the cunts suffer.” Turning on his heel, Ky marched us out of the door and back to his room. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he kept me in his arms and said, “We’re getting you cleaned up. Then I’m getting you the hell outta here.”

  “Where are we to go?” I whispered in shocked relief, still reeling from all the violence. There had been so much. I could not take it. I did want to flee from this place. All I could see was Tiff and Jules pinning me down.

  Tempting… always tempting people…

  “Away for a few days. Club don’t have business until next week. AK, Tank, and Bull can hold down the fort until we’re back. I can’t have you here when I’m feeling like this. I’m gonna kill someone else if I do. And I don’t want you looking at me like I’m gonna hurt you ever again.”

  “No more violence,” I begged. “If I can ask that of you.”

  Ky sighed in exasperation. “Li, it’s the life I’m in and the man I am. But yeah, if we get away, I won’t be shedding any more blood… tonight. But that’s how it is in this life, baby. You gotta get with that shit.”

  All I felt was relief. And I did not want to be here at this compound right now either. It was all becoming too much. My curse was not diminishing. If anything, it was gaining strength.

  “Okay,” I agreed.

  Ky stood and gently lowered me to my feet. “I need to get shit arranged. Get a shower. I’ll get your clothes. We’ll be gone in thirty.”

  “Okay,” I said, but when Ky turned away, I asked, “Ky?” He stopped and looked at me. “Can… can I request that you spare Tiff and Jules? I do not think it right that they are harmed. Let the Lord judge their sins.”

  Ky put his hand on the doorknob and, without glancing back, said, “Not a fuckin’ chance in hell. Those sluts abused you ‘cause they’re jealous bitches. The two of them can rot in Tartarus for all I care. I’m their judge, jury, and executioner right now. They fucked with the wrong brother. They’re gonna die, and they’re gonna die real slow.”

  I shook my head in protest, feeling dread in my stomach. “No, please. I don’t want blood on your hands because of me!”

  Ky remained unmoved. “I already got a helluva lotta blood on my hands anyway, sweet cheeks. They fuckin’ die. End of. No one walks into Hades and pulls that shit on my woman!”

  With that, he closed the door, locking it on his way out.

  I took a shower, trying to just block everything out.

  And thirty minutes later, we were in his truck and on the road to I knew not where.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ky

  Beauty had agreed to stay with Maddie. After Flame heard what had happened to Li, why I was taking her away, I knew that brother weren’t gonna sleep while protecting the young bitch. Maddie was the safest woman on the damn planet right now.

  We were on our way to the country, to my ranch. I hadn’t taken anyone out there before. No one knew I even owned it, apart from Styx, of course. There was a good reason. A reason Lilah would learn about in about forty fucking minutes.

  Lilah was silent most of the journey, her head pressed against the passenger door window. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her, her face all bruised and her back in another long, gray dress. Her headdress was tightly covering her hair, and I couldn’t do shit to make things better.

  She’d just been attacked because of me. I weren’t sure I could be redeemed in her eyes. It was driving me insane that I didn’t know what she was thinking.

  Flicking from one rock station to the next, I left it on Judas Priest and asked, “You good, Li?”

  “Yes, thank you,” she replied without turning her head.

  Hands tightening on the wheel, I gritted my teeth, pressed on the gas, and got us to the ranch as quickly as I could.

  Thirty miles later, I saw the sign for High Ranch and turned onto the dirt road. Lilah looked forward and shuffled to the end of the seat, her eyes drinking in the wooden barn, the surrounding fields, and the stables to the left of the log house.

  I loved this place.

  The lights were on in the log cabin, and I pulled the truck to a stop next to an old beat-up Chevy.

  Lilah turned to me. “This is your cabin?”

  I opened my mouth to answer, when the front door opened and Elysia stepped onto the porch, her blond curly hair trailing down her back in a braid. She was in her usual jeans and plaid shirt. I jumped outta the truck and ran to the porch, watching her face light up as she saw me.

  Swinging an arm around her shoulder, I pulled her to my chest and kissed her head. “How’re you, Sia?”

  Squeezing her arms around my waist, she replied, “I’m good. Bonnie delivered a foal last night, so running low on sleep.”

  Pulling back, Sia went to speak but stopped and frowned at something over my shoulder. “Erm… Ky?” Sia pointed behind me and raised a questioning brow.

  Turning, I saw Lilah was illuminated in the cab light, her face blank but her eyes huge as she watched me with Sia. She was probably terrified that I’d brought in another strange woman.

  I waved my hand, signaling for Lilah to come over, but her face dropped and she didn’t move. I could see the fear written all over her face. Sighing, I turned to Sia, who was watching me real fucking weird, and I walked over to Lilah, leaning in the door.

  “Lilah, baby, come out. I got someone I want you to meet.”

  “Is that your wife?” Lilah asked me nervously. “Or another of your women?”

  I almost balked at that but instead, burst out laughing. “No, sweet cheeks, she ain’t my fuckin’ wife. Now come on,” I threw her a wink, “get your blond ass outta the truck.”

  Taking my hand, Lilah nervously edged out and I had to drag her over to Sia, whose gaze was glued to our joined hands.

  As we stepped onto the porch, I put my hands on Lilah’s shoulders, feeling her stiffen. Bending down to place my mouth at her ear, I said, “Lilah, meet my baby sister, Elysia.”

  Lilah sucked in a breath and said, “Sister?” She looked back at me in confusion. “You never mentioned you had a sister.”

  “Not many people know. Now you do,” I replied.

  Stepping forward, Elysia held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lilah.”

  Lilah stared at Sia’s outstretched hand and timidly raised her hand, placing it in Sia’s, obviously unaware of what to do.

  Sia smiled and shook it lightly, risking a confused glance to me.

  I shook my head, telling her not to go there right now.

  “Nice to meet you too,” Lilah said quietly, taking back her hand and staring at her palm like Sia had burned it.

  “Why don’t we all go inside?” Sia said and headed for the door.

  “You go with Sia. I gotta get the
bags,” I ordered and, nervously, Lilah joined Sia to walk into the cabin.

  I hadn’t told Sia about Lilah, had no idea how to tell her anyway.

  I got the bags and walked through the door, seeing Lilah sitting by the open fire, fiddling with her hands. She smiled in relief when I walked in. I drank in the sight of her and sighed. The bruises on her face were really starting to show.

  Placing the bags down, I walked to Lilah and squatted to inspect her face, my finger running down her cheek. “How you doing?”

  “I am tired, but I am okay,” Lilah said, nuzzling into my hand. My fucking lungs constricted as she did.

  Lifting my other hand, I ran my thumb down her cheek, her big blues fixed on mine, her lips parting slightly with my touch.

  A cough sounded beside me, and Lilah jumped back, breaking the touch. Sia was watching us with an uncertain expression on her face. She asked, “Would you like a hot cocoa, Lilah?”

  Lilah frowned and looked to me. “I do not know what that is. Ky, shall I try?”

  “How about you stay here by the fire and my big brother can help me fix the drinks?” Sia suggested, enthusiastically.

  Lilah nodded and settled back on the loveseat, her gaze going straight to the fire.

  Sia grabbed my arm and pulled me into the kitchen, whipping around to face me. “What the fuck’s going on, Ky?” she whispered angrily. “‘Cause I suddenly get word you’re coming for a few days, and you turn up with some chick looking like she belongs in a horse and buggy in Pennsylvania, asking permission to drink and not knowing what motherfuckin’ cocoa is!”

  Her brown eyes widened and her hand went to her mouth, the blood draining from her face. “Oh no, she’s not being trafficked or something of that sort, is she? Is that why she’s here?”

  I groaned. “Why the fuck does everyone keep asking me that!”

  Wrapping my fingers around Sia’s wrist, I moved her hand from her mouth and said, “It’s club business, Sia. You know the code. But she ain’t no trafficking bitch.” I checked behind me to make sure Lilah wasn’t close and leaned in to say, “We rescued her from some end of days sex cult ‘bout two months ago and she’s not been real good at adjusting to life outside.”