Brook

The front door of the small guesthouse opens, and I almost choke on my bite of cereal when Sage comes walking through. My hand to my chest, I try to cough the milk out of the wrong pipe. “Holy shit. I thought you left,” I rasp between coughs, and Sage comes to my aid, smacking my back a couple times. “You know that doesn’t help,” I grumble.

“No. But it makes me feel better,” he says, stepping aside. “Who eats cereal at two in the morning?”

“I’m hungry. You didn’t stop anywhere to feed me all day, and there isn’t much in the kitchen. I was surprised to find the milk wasn’t past the expiration.” I point down at the date on the small half gallon. “I still have a week to finish it.” I shoot him a smile and take another hefty bite. I’m at the bottom now, at the soggy parts, so I eat quickly.

“Should’ve said something, I would have stopped.”

I shrug and finish off the leftover milk, then get up from the table to rinse out the bowl.

“Why are you back here?” I ask him as I start toward the room I already picked out. I flip on the light as he starts flicking off the other lights in the small house.

“Pres wanted me to stay. Make sure you don’t run.”

“Whatever,” I mumble under my breath, rolling my eyes.

“That sass again.” My head snaps to the door where I find him leaning on the jamb, sleeves rolled up to expose those forearms, and his cut unbuttoned underneath crossed arms. “Go to bed. Unless you want a spankin’ before you do?” he challenges.

The memory of him slapping his palm against my ass has me almost combusting, but I shake my head.

“That’s what I thought. Get some sleep.” He closes the door behind him with more force than needed and his footsteps thunder down to the other room.

* * *

I wake bright and early and go out to the kitchen in search of coffee. With the scent of the brewing beans and the thrumming of the percolator, I take stock of the fridge and decide on cereal again. A full bowl of Captain Crunch, I sit at the table and let chirping of the birds outside and the coffee brewing bring me a small amount of peace. At my apartment, the only wildlife I heard was traffic. Wanting to hear more, I finish up my bowl, make a big cup of coffee, and grab a blanket from next to the couch before settling into one of the wooden chairs on the front porch in the brisk morning air.

“You sure do like to wake up early.” Sage’s sleep ridden voice comes from the door as he steps outside. I glance up to see he has his own cup of coffee in his hand. He takes the chair next to mine and relaxes back.

“Even working so late at night, I always found myself waking up as soon as the sun hit my eyes. It’s like my body refuses to waste the day.” I take a sip of the hot beverage and let it trickle down my throat.

“Can I take you to see your old man today?” he asks, but I shake my head.

“I’d like to see Jason. Does he know I’m here? I don’t even have his number.” I say the last part more to myself than anything. The lack of communication between me and my brother wasn’t deliberate. I just didn’t want to chance calling him and having Gin answer.

“Yeah. I’ll let him know. He should be by sometime. Has things to do at the clubhouse.” His words have my hackles rising.

“What?” I snap, turning to face Sage. “Is he a member? Did Gin let him patch in to this fucking club?” Sage’s features turn instantly. If I weren’t so mad about my brother getting caught up in this life, I would be a little more scared.

“You need to back up a step, kid. I won’t have you talking about my club like that or disrespecting your old man. You hear me? Or there’ll be worse than just an ass whoopin’ comin’ your way.” He stands to his feet, and I do the same in defiance.

“He’s just a kid. He doesn’t need to be part of this life. That is why he got shot!” I lose myself to my anger—anger toward Gin, this club—and hurl it all at the man standing next to me, deserving or not. “It's why Gin is going to die! Because of this club!” I yell, and in a flash, the coffee cup falls from my hand, spilling onto the deck with the shattering of the ceramic mug as it meets the concrete step. My world is turned upside down as I’m tossed up over Sage’s shoulder and carried into the house kicking and screaming. All my protests do nothing to deter him from bringing me into the bedroom I stayed in and tossing me onto the bed. Before I can right myself, he takes my body and positions it over his knees. With one hard whack to my butt, he starts his spankings, and he doesn’t hold back. I try to force away the heat that blooms low in my belly, but it doesn’t work. Instantly, between my legs grows slick and my heart rate spikes with each slap of his palm against me. He won’t let up, and I find myself not wanting him to.