Heart Recaptured
A Hades Hangmen Novel
by
Tillie Cole
Copyright© Tillie Cole 2014 All rights reserved
Cover Design by Damonza at www.damonza.com
Copyedited by Cassie McGowan at www.gatheringleavesediting.com
Formatted by Polgarus Studio at www.polgarusstudio.com
eBook Edition
No Part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the publisher and author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be uploaded without the permission of the publisher and author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is originally published.
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters and names are products of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.
The publisher and author acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.
Dedication
To the Hades Hangmen Harlots!
Without your unwavering support and campaigning for more from our favorite men in leather, Heart Recaptured would never have been.
Here’s to the rest of the Hangmen Series… It’s gonna be a wild ride!
“Live free. Ride free. Die free!”
Table of Contents
Dedication
Authors Note
Glossary
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
Heart Recaptured Playlist
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Follow Tillie at:
Authors Note
As with the first novel in this series, ‘It Ain’t Me, Babe’, ‘Heart Recaptured’, was inspired by the testimonies of ex-members from several New Religious Movements, Cults and Sects and the leaders that abused the power they had over their members—especially the women.
The female protagonist in this novel, ‘Delilah’, endures situations inspired by survivors of such groups. This novel very heavily focuses on the concept of ‘Brainwashing’, and how coercive persuasion can impact victims’ lives.
‘Heart Recaptured’ is a work of fiction, and as such, some situations have been exaggerated. But the doctrines, practices, punishment techniques (very extreme at times) and experiences of ‘Delilah’, her sisters, “Salome’ and ‘Magdalene’, and The Order in this novel, are inspired by academic research collected on ‘unorthodox’ and extreme New Religious Movements.
Glossary
(Not in alphabetical order)
The Order Terminology
The Order: Apocalyptic New Religious Movement. Beliefs based on selected Christian teachings, strongly believe the apocalypse is imminent. Previously led by Prophet David (declared himself to be a Prophet of God and a descendant of King David), the elders and the disciples. Suceeded by Prophet Cain (nephew of Prophet David).
The members live together in a secluded commune; based on traditional and modest living, polygamy and unorthodox religious practices. Believe the ‘outside world’ is sinful and evil. Have no contact with non-members.
Commune: Property owned by The Order and controlled by the Prophet Cain. Segregated living community. Policed by disciples and elders and stocked with weapons in case of an outside world attack. Men and women kept in separate areas of the commune. The Cursed kept away from all men (except the elders) in their own private quarters. Land protected by a large perimeter fence.
New Zion: New Commune of The Order. Created after the previous commune was destroyed in the battle against The Hades Hangmen.
Elders: Comprises four men: Gabriel, Moses, Noah and Jacob. Charged with the day to day running of the commune. Second in Command to Prophet David. Responsible for schooling the Cursed. All deceased.
Council Elders: Comprises four men: Brother Luke, Brother Isaiah, Brother Micah, Brother Judah.
Disciple Guards: Male members of The Order. Tasked with the protection of the commune lands and the members of The Order.
Lord's Sharing: Ritual sexual act performed between male and female members of The Order. Believed to help the male get steadily closer to the Lord. Performed in mass ceremonies. Narcotics often used for a transcendental experience. Females are forbidden from experiencing pleasure as punishment for carrying the original sin of Eve and must perform the act when required as part of their sisterly duties.
The Cursed: Women/Girls in The Order deemed too naturally beautiful and inherently sinful. Live separately from the rest of commune. Seen as too tempting to men. The Cursed are believed to be significantly more likely to sway men from the righteous path.
Original Sin: Augustine Christian doctrine that says mankind is born sinful and has an innate urge to disobey God. Original Sin is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God when they ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In The Order’s doctrines (created by Prophet David), Eve is blamed for tempting Adam to sin, thus sisters of The Order are seen as born seductresses and temptresses and must obey men.
Sheol: Old Testament word meaning ‘the pit’ or ‘the grave’ or ‘the Underworld’. Place of the dead.
Glossolalia: Incomprehensible speech displayed by religious believers during an episode of religious ecstasy.
Diaspora: The dispersion of people from their original homeland.
Hades Hangmen Terminology
Hades Hangmen: One-percenter Outlaw MC. Founded in Austin, Texas, 1969.
Hades: Lord of the Underworld in Greek mythology.
Mother Chapter: First branch of the club. Founding location.
One-percenter: The American Motorbike Association (AMA) were once rumored to have said that 99% of bikers were law-abiding citizens. Bikers who do not abide by AMA rules name themselves ‘one-percenters’ (the remaining non law-abiding 1%). The vast majority of ‘one-percenters’ belong to Outlaw MC’s.
Cut: Leather vest worn by outlaw bikers. Adorned with patches and artwork displaying the club’s unique colors.
Patched in: When a new member is approved for full membership.
Church: Club meetings for full patch members. Led by President of the club.
Old Lady: Woman with wife status. Protected by her partner. Status held to be sacrosanct by club members.
Club Slut: A woman who comes to the clubhouse to engage in casual sexual acts with the club members.
Bitch: Woman in Biker culture. Term of endearment.
Gone/Going to Hades: Slang. Referring to the dying/dead.
Meeting/Gone/Going to the Boatman: Slang. Dying/dead. Referring to ‘Charon’ in Greek mythology. Charon was the ferryman of the dead, an underworld daimon (Spirit). Transported departed souls to Hades
. The fee for the crossing over the rivers Styx and Acheron to Hades were coins placed on either the dead’s eyes or mouth at burial. Those who did not pay the fee were left to wander the shores of Styx for one hundred years.
The Organizational Structure of Hades Hangmen
President (Prez): Leader of the club. Holder of the Gavel, which is symbolic of the absolute power that the President wields. The Gavel is used to keep order in Church. The word of the President is law within the club. He takes advice from senior club members. No one challenges the decisions of the President.
Vice President (VP): Second-in-Command. Executes the orders of the President. Principal communicator with other chapters of the club. Assumes all responsibilities and duties of the President in their absence.
Road Captain: Responsible for all club runs. Research, plan and organize club runs and ride outs. Ranking club officer, answering only to President or VP.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Responsible for club security, policing and keeping order at club events. Reports unseemly behavior to President and VP. Responsible for the safety and protection of the club, its members and its Prospects.
Treasurer: Keeps records of all income and expenses. Keeps records of all club patches and colors issued and taken away.
Secretary: Responsible for making and keeping all club records. Must notify members of emergency meetings.
Prospect: Probationary member of the MC. Goes on runs, but banned from attending Church.
Prologue
“Come sister, we must to go now!” Mae urged as she hurried to pull Maddie and I through our decimated commune, her lover’s men leading the way ahead.
“No! I told you I will not go!” I cried, my legs stumbling in shock as I caught sight of the disciples of The Order lying unmoving on the vast ceremonial ground, their bodies ripped apart by bullets and their lifeless, glazed eyes telling me they had passed.
“Lilah, please!” Mae begged, and pulled on my hand, her ice blue eyes pleading with me to follow.
I tried to move but screams from frantic and scared women of The Order pierced my ears and I watched them running wildly without a course, no longer having the disciples to guide and protect them. Lone children of all ages were screaming at the frenzy of moving bodies, some rooted to the ground, crying for their mothers who had been swept up in the panicked mass. My people were trying their best to out run the devilish men dressed in black leather who had forced themselves on our faith.
It was carnage.
A scene straight from pages of Revelation.
“Lilah!” Mae shouted again, her hand cupping my cheek to gain my attention. Her face was concerned for me, but determined, as she tried to drag me in her wake.
“I…I do not want to leave…” I whispered and glanced to Maddie who looked numb as she followed dutifully behind Mae…like a willing lamb to the slaughter.
“I know you do not want to leave, sister. But this place is unsafe. We need to leave. We have to go outside.”
“Outside?” I screeched, my eyes wide and I began to shake. “No! NO! I cannot go outside! It is evil. I must stay here. To be saved I need to stay here! You know this. Please, do not deny me my chance at salvation!”
I ripped my hand from Mae’s and began backing away.
“Mae! Get your fuckin’ girl under control, we need to split!” The man with long blond hair who had killed Brother Noah, my redeemer, shouted behind Mae, his blue eyes harsh in his command. He kept watching me, his blue eyes intense. From the minute I had left the cell, he had stared at me, continued to stare at me still.
Mae’s dark lover whistled from beside him and indicated for us to follow with a wave of his hand, but fear seized my heart, and instinct caused me to flee.
“Lilah!” Mae’s voice screamed as I darted into the throng of terrified sisters. My head whipped from side to side as I tried to find a place to hide, and seeing an entrance to the forest, I lifted my feet and scrambled in that direction.
But before I had moved a few steps, a large body wrapped me in his arms and lifted me off the ground, preventing me from getting away.
I screamed and screamed as a strong, unyielding arm clad with leather wrapped around my waist. I was terrified, tears pouring down my face as his legs picked up speed and started running.
“Please…please let me go!” I begged, but a mouth suddenly placed at my ear cut off my voice, long blond strands of hair—not belonging to me—falling on my cheek.
“Nope. You’re coming with us, sweet cheeks, so stop trying to run this sexy ass away. Although, I could watch that fuckin’ perfect peach of a view all day long and never get tired of it. But Mae wants you at the club, so you’re fuckin’ coming to the club.”
My breathing hitched at how this blond outsider spoke to me and I froze in his arms, not daring to move, worrying that if I did, I might meet the same fate as the slain brothers on the ground. Then, as I carefully tuned my head, I saw who held me in his arms, carrying me as though I weighed nothing—the blond man from before. The one who kept staring at me like I was something he wanted to devour.
The same man, who when my eyes first met his, an ache throbbed within my chest.
We approached Mae and Maddie, Mae looking at me with relief, Maddie with sympathy. The blond man never let me go, pulling me close until I was flush to his chest, and I did not fight him as I was forced into a large vehicle with my sisters, him and other evil men crawling in behind… the blond man’s blue eyes still fixed on mine.
A deafening silence reigned and I stared out one last time at my home, then everything I knew was suddenly blocked out as wide doors trapped us inside, plunging us into darkness.
I fought back a scream, and I felt Mae take my hand. It offered little comfort, so instead, I closed my eyes and began chanting out my prayers. I held steadfastly unto my faith. Vowed to the Lord that I would not lose my way and I began rocking back in forth on my hands and knees as I cemented my faith to the Lord, feeling the Holy Spirit fill me with its warmth.
A while later, the vehicle came to a stop, the wide doors opened and Mae led us up some stairs and into a small private quarters, only to leave us alone as she went to get us food. I would not be able to eat, fear churning my stomach so badly that it almost brought me to my knees. Maddie stood beside me as I drank in the strange room and her hand slowly slipped into mine, gripping it with an intensity that betrayed to me her fear too.
“Do you think we will be safe here, Lilah?” Maddie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Walking to the window, Maddie following behind, I stared at the faithless men who had murdered my brothers laughing and drinking in the yard, their menacing black garments and wicked demeanors sending unnerving shivers down my spine.
“Well, Lilah, do you?” Maddie pushed again.
Turning to face Maddie, I pulled her into my embrace and answered, “No, Maddie. I do not think we will be safe here. In fact, I think Mae has dropped us into the depths of Hell.”
Chapter One
One month later…
Ku Klux Klan Rally
Austin, Texas
Ky
What. The. Fuck???
Hunkered down on a patch of dirt next to my brothers, Styx to my left and Viking to my right, I watched, with my fuckin’ mouth gaping, as a bunch of backward rednecks paraded around in their lame-assed white robes deep in the forest of Johnny Landry’s farm. Like something you’d see in a movie, flamed torches were held up in the air as the jacked up Klan moved into a circle, one by one, chanting “White Power” toward a huge wooden cross doused in kerosene—fuckin’ Klan cologne—in the dead center of a clearing.
A guy in a red robe stepped forward, his torch in the air.
“Johnny Landry, Grand Wizard,” Tank whispered from a few places over, his teeth gritted with rage.
Landry punched his torch high and shouted, “For God!”
The Klansmen followed his actions and chanted back. “For God!”
“For Country! For Ra
ce! For Klan! Klansmen of the fiery cross!” Landry bellowed and the Klansmen screamed it back.
Lowering their torches in sync, the Klansmen all threw them to the base of the cross, and in seconds, the thing ignited like wildfire, and the symbol that made these cunts famous stood blazing on the highest hill of Johnny Landry’s land.
Their Grand Wizard was finally out of the slammer.
And they were holding a huge fucking rally to celebrate—but they forgot to send us the invite!
The Hangmen were crashing, hidden from view under some trees south of the hill. We needed to know if Landry being back out of prison, meant retribution on the Hangmen. Styx killed a number of their guys a while back when the fuckers killed Lois and shot at Mae, nearly ending her too. Styx got a swastika scar out the deal and we needed to know if Landry was gonna put out a hit on our club because of it.