Page 69 of Tusk's Fury

“I don’t feel guilty about how I’ve lived my life since leaving the church. So, if you’re trying to shame me, it’s not going to work.”

“I’m very disappointed in the choices you’ve made. You should be grateful that I’m still willing to seal myself to such a wanton woman.”

“I’m sorry. We’re simply not compatible,” I tell him stubbornly.

“You were born and raised in the church, Brittany. I intend to use my firm hand to tame your wild heart once and for all. This is your chance to have a husband, a family, and a good life.”

“Silas, I don’t want that with you. You know I don’t love you.”

“You will. If handled properly and given enough time, you’ll accept and find purpose in your very important role as my wife and the mother of my children.”

I feel my breath catch in my throat, and it takes me a minute to say, “Absolutely not. I won’t be having your children.”

His smooth voice turns ice-cold. “I remember how strong-willed you were as a teen. Always asking all the wrong questions. I was drawn to your strength of character back then. Be as strong willed as you like. I’m a patient man. Soon, you will discover I dole out punishments for disobedience and disrespect. All your willfully ignorant behavior will be like ocean waves crashing against the rocks.”

I lay it out plainly, “No matter what you say or do, I won’t agree to marry you.”

“You will. And together, we will discover all that we might be together.”

I sigh. Trying to communicate with Silas is like talking to a brick wall. “I want to see my parents.”

“They are on their way. They send you their greetings and want you to know how proud they are that you have come back into the fold.”

“My father didn’t own me. Therefore, I wasn’t his to give. You know that, right?”

He gives me that creepy little smile again and answers, “What I know is that you were promised to me. Your parents know the outside world can be a dangerous place. Sometimes, we lose sight of what sin actually is and drift into the darkness. My job as your husband will be to bring you back to the light. You were happy there once upon a time, and you will be again.”

“He didn’t have the right to promise me to you. Tell me you understand that, Silas?”

“All I know is that a promise made by brothers of faith must be upheld. Your father was the head of the household. His job was to see you settled down with a proper husband. I am that husband, Brittany. You had best accept what you cannot change.”

I open my mouth to object again, but one of his hands comes up to cut me off. “That is enough conversation for now. Take your pills and rest. I will send Sister Cassandra to sit with you. You remember Sister Cassandra, don’t you?”

I nod, exasperated. “Yes. We graduated at the same time.”

His eyes light up. “Glad you remember your old friend. Sister Cassandra has been settled into marriage for five years. She can guide you through what is expected of new brides.”

“Yippee,” I say under my breath. I know that’s both immature and risking setting him off, but I’m so exasperated right now that I feel like a rebellious teen.

There is a knock at the door. When Silas opens it, Cassandra is standing on the other side in her dark dress and feminine lace-up black boots. Her hair has been pulled back into a tight twist at the nape of her neck, making her facial features look stark. Of course, she isn’t wearing makeup or jewelry. And she has a covered tray in her hands, which I suspect is food. Everything about my old life is annoyingly predictable.

“Ah, Sister Cassandra. Thank you for coming to serve my Eve.” Glancing over his shoulder at me, he adds, “We have a long way to go in order to make her presentable.”

“Yes, Bishop Harper,” she murmurs demurely. “Whatever you think is best.”

“Start by getting her medication into her. Then I want her fed, bathed, and properly clothed. Leave the bandage. I want everyone to remember she was injured running down the metaphorical path that brought her back to me.”

“Of course, sir.”

With a flourish that seems almost like a bow, he murmurs his goodbye. Cassandra stands there looking really uncomfortable. Then we hear him lock the door. Cassandra stumbles over to a small table and puts the tray down before coming to sit on the edge of the bed.

“I never thought you’d come back to the fold,” she whispers.

I lower my voice as well. “Girl, you gotta know I did not come back voluntarily.”

“But he said you were injured running back to him.”

I flick her on the side of the head like I used to when we were kids. “Use your brain. Silas paid someone to knock me out, stuff me into the back of a car, and drag my ass back.”

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