|| Elizabeth ||

I whimpered as the truck spun into an untarred road and struggled for balance. I leaned back on the chair, biting my lower lip at intervals. I was already tired of crying; that was what I've been doing for the past four hours. We were in a truck, I occupied the rear while Cross sat next to the driver. Four hours ago, I stood in a small, empty church, reciting my vows at gunpoint. This wasn't the life I had planned for myself.

The Wedding lasted for about thirty minutes, and we headed back in the truck. My heart skipped as Cross announced that we were heading to Chicago, by land. I winced as I adjusted my sore ass. We were on the road for over four hours.

“Hello wifey, not to worry, in the next thirty minutes, we should be home,” Cross said and turned forward.

I was tempted to scream back at him to go fuck himself that I wasn't his wife. But that was a bad idea, I just leaned back on the chair and closed my eyes.

I was deep in dreamland when I heard a sharp sound and the truck ground to a halt. Cross stepped out and beckoned to me to get out of the car. I struggled with the handle and then, one of his men helped me open it from the outside..

Cross stretched his right hand and smiled at me, “Come with me”.

“Where am I?” I managed to ask.

“You are at the base of my operations,” He replied.

My eyes took in the view, the large two-storey building nestled at the edge of a large land. It wasn't painted and the walls looked like they needed rehabilitation. There was a garage where four other trucks were parked a motorbike.

We walked over to the front door, and he pushed it open. He turned his gaze to me, smiled and led me inside. To be sincere, I preferred his cold looks to his smile. His smile made him seem like the devil about to attack prey.

“Go down that corridor, the first door painted blue is your room. Get yourself comfortable, my bride.” His cold eyes widened, and I could feel his piercing gaze through my skin.

My eyes just settled on the tarred floor as I couldn't look him in the face. I was sure he would come fuck me tonight, perhaps in that moment, I could drive a knife into his throat.

He stepped closer to me and held my chin. I shivered in fright as my skin absorbed his rough palms. He stared into my eyes, and I was paralysed again by terror.

“In my world, obedience keeps you alive,” He whispered into my ear.

As his lips brushed my ears, a strange sensation crippled me, and a short moan escaped my lips.

“Go, now. By tomorrow, we'll be heading to our residential quarters. My workers should be done fixing the wood plane before then. Run along, bride,” He chuckled.

My legs were heavy, but I managed to get them moving. I moved into the empty corridor and kept staring at the doors that lined it, wondering what was behind them. I wondered how I was going to survive in a rough environment like this.

The walls had weathered stones that were crafted from granite. I located the blue door and held the cold knob. The wooden door adorned with rusted hinges gave way. There was a large bed, and I walked over and settled on it. I pulled out a picture of my Dad and Bro at the beach side and stared at it. A fresh round of tears trickled down my face.

The door was opened, and Cross stepped in. My heart skipped as I wondered what he came for. He was in a blue singlet tucked into bulky papants

“Come with me,” He ordered.

I jumped off immediately and followed him. He walked into a smaller corridor, and it seemed we were heading for a bunker because the air grew thick. He then pushed a door open, and the sight that met me made my stomach churn. Without warning, I threw up.

Cross groaned, pulled a stool and made me sit.

“My apologies, wifey. I'm sorry you had to see this on your wedding day. A sight for sore eyes, huh?” Cross chuckled.

I struggled to get up, and my gaze settled on a man strung to the ceiling. His face was bloody, and his eyes kept opening and dimming. His legs just dangled on the ground. Death wasn't far from him.

“Wifey, did your dad teach you about the operations of the syndicate? The entire modus operandi of the founding families?” Cross stared at me, hoping for a reply.

I just gave him a blank look. This marriage was already a dead sentence.

“Betrayal is what we don't take lightly. I am an enforcer, a necessity to protect the syndicate. That man there,” He pointed to the bloody man. “He stole from me, did business with the enemy”.

“Cross, you're getting it all wrong.” The man managed to speak and spat blood.

“Please, I want to be out of here,” I managed to say. I could feel my stomach churning wildly.

“If you want to throw up, feel free to do so. My men will clean it up. I brought you here to pass judgment on this man.” Cross got up and strolled towards the man.

Another round of fear gripped him, “Cross, please. I have a wife and children”.

His words made me remember the incident in the caravan. The same man killed my father and Brother, now he was about to kill someone else. Perhaps an innocent man.

“Wife, kids. You should have thought of that before you crossed me. Judgement will be passed today. And today happens to be the day I got married.” Cross turned to me and smiled.

But I wasn't interested in the bloody scene; my eyes caught a small table a few inches from where Cross stood. There were two bloody knives, a pair of scissors and a large nail clipper. If I could just reach out to one of the blades, Cross will die, choking on his blood.