Secret societies hold the charge back (4)
I believe the answer is:
cost
'charge back' is the definition.
'cost' can be an answer for 'charge' (I've seen this in other clues). I am not sure about the 'back' bit.
'secret societies hold the' is the wordplay.
'secret societies hold' becomes 'cos' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'cos'+'t'='COST'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cost that I've seen before include "Outlay required to buy" , "Charge" , "penalty" , "Estimate the expense of doing" , "Amount required as payment" .)