Denise

*** Chapter 23, Union.

Jake was once again in his cell. With weary eyes he noted that a cross bar had been fitted to the bars on the window. His escape would not be repeated. They had walked him back to the training buildings forcing him to see that he had only managed to get a few hundred yards in his escape, the disappointment was total.

Scarcely a word had been spoken just the fear of the dogs and an angry mistress had been enough to bring him back to his captivity. In the courtyard Joan's car stood signalling that she would soon be there to crow over his defeat.

"Funny how he came back without a fight,” said Joan to Mistress Janet with a smile.

"He had no hope of escaping from here,” said Janet. "With over five miles to the nearest road and the dogs he needed more than a lot of luck to evade us."

Janet raised her glass in a mock toast to Joan and sipped at the Martini. She was dressed in a tight fitting business suit and wore knee high lace up boots. Personally she was relieved. Never had a slave escaped from her training establishment but this had been close.

If Jenny had not been there to exercise the dogs he might have got away.

Janet did not speak her thoughts loud, she did not want Joan to realise just how close an escape it had been but she still heard her heart pounding from the realisation.

"I think that I should pay him a visit,” said Joan with a smile. "In fact I am looking forward to it."

"Fine,” said Janet as she stood. "After all he's your property, I'm sure that he will be so glad to see you!"

The two women walked to Jake's cell and unlocked it. A powerfully built guard stood by the door as they entered to see Jake sitting on his bed with his head hanging.

"Hello Jake,” said Joan as she entered.

He jumped at the sound of her voice and looked up.

"Stand up husband,” she ordered.

"Yes Miss,” he replied as he followed orders.

"I am glad to see that you are still here for me,” she said with a grin, as she looked him up and down. His feet and legs were splattered with mud and his loose gown was torn. "You will of course be punished for your attempt to get from your wife's grasp. But I think that you will not regret coming back."

Jake looked at the other woman and recognised her as the one that had auctioned the slaves the previous day. He saw no pity, just a stern face and an malign mistress.

"There is not much time to sleep my husband. Make the most of what little time you have. Tomorrow you will be prepared for me."

Jake bowed his head and stared at the floor. All fight was gone out of him, his wife was his owner.