Trouble at Brayshaw High

by Meagan Brandy

  “Raven,” Royce draws, but Rolland lifts his hand.

  “It’s okay, son,” he says, and I grind my teeth together.

  “I don’t need you to pacify them for me. I can handle them on my own.”

  He eyes me, then slowly stands. “Perhaps we should speak tomorrow. It’s late. Let’s all try our best to get some sleep.” His eyes bounce between the four of us then tighten. “I’ll take the pool house for the night. Ms. Maybell set it up for me. Tomorrow, I have some calls to make, but soon.” He looks back to me. “We speak.”

  I don’t respond, but trail every movement of each of them as they walk him out back, hugging him as he exits.

  I take the steps two at a time and rush into my room.

  I pull my knife out, flipping it open and closed several times.

  He’s home.

  He’s fucking home.

  Son of a bitch, what’s this mean? And what the hell was Maybell trying to tell me with her cryptic ass bullshit?

  I groan, dropping my head into my hands as it starts to pound. I reach into my side drawer and swallow two ibuprofen, jumping when my door is thrown open and Maddoc steps through the door.

  He closes and locks it behind him, lifting his eyes to mine.

  My features tighten right along with his, but when my shoulders drop his follow and he rushes me.

  I toss the knife to the floor and he scoops me up and drops me on to my mattress in the same second.

  He pulls my jeans off while losing his and my legs fall open, welcoming him in. He takes up every inch of the space, pushing his dick against my clit over my underwear.

  His rough hands run up my sides until he’s pulling my shirt over my head, but he doesn’t pull it all the way off. He leaves it tangled there, covering my face, my arms both up.

  His lips drag across the edge of my breasts, his chin pushing my bra down so he can bite on my nipple.

  He licks it, blowing his warm breath over the wet spot, making me shiver.

  “Maddoc...” I whisper, and he grinds against me.

  “Almost, baby.” He kisses his way to my left breast and does the same, before making his way up my neck, and finally he pulls the shirt off the rest of the way.

  I grip his face and pull his mouth to mine, kissing him fiercely.

  Hungrily.

  Fucking needy.

  I shift my lower half, gasping when the heat of his head slides past my underwear.

  He groans against my mouth and reaches down to shove them aside the rest of the way. He aligns himself and I lift my hips, forcing him inside me when he tries to take his time.

  When I sigh, he grins and nips at my lips, but when he catches my eyes, his features shift.

  His hand comes up to run down my temple, slowly sinking into my hair.

  His hips move leisurely, deep full strokes that are driving me mad, but it’s such a good kind of torture.

  I moan softly, and he drops his forehead to mine.

  “Wrap your arms around me, baby.”

  I do as he asks, and he buries his face into the crook of my neck, sighing against my skin and he fucks me slow.

  “I love the feel of your pussy, baby,” he whispers. “So tight, so wet.”

  I throb around him and he twitches inside me.

  “So fucking good.” He grinds deeper and my head tips back. “And mine.”

  My fingers twitch, and I slide them up his back, gripping the tops of his shoulders, using his body as a barrier and forcing him deeper.

  “Come for me, baby.” He bites against my neck and I start to shiver. He lifts my knee, pushing it out and he hits deeper. “Come with me.”

  And I do. I come as he does, both our bodies jolting against each other.

  He pulls out and once we clean-up we drop back onto the bed, moving under the covers this time.

  We both lie there silent for a few minutes when he finally speaks.

  “I meant what I said to you,” he tells me. “His being here changes nothing between us. You’re mine, Raven Carver. No matter what.”

  “And are you mine, Big Man?” I ask despite myself.

  “Yes.” His answer is instant and should settle me.

  Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

  I didn’t sleep.

  Not even a little all weekend, and now the sun is almost up as the smell of bacon wafts through the bottom of the door, but it’s when the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee hits my nostrils that I tense.

  Yesterday, thankfully, Rolland spent the day in his office going over Brayshaw business and we stayed up in the media room, watching crappy movies Royce picked out.

  Today seems we won’t be so lucky.

  Never thought I’d be excited for school.

  I slip from the bed, leaving Maddoc laying there, pull on some sweats and a hoodie and make my way downstairs.

  Sure as shit, there he stands, slacks and all, dressed up already.

  He doesn’t look up but says, “Good morning, Raven.”

  I frown and drop on the bar stool. “How’d you know it was me?”

  This time he does turn, a grin on his lips. “My sons weigh twice what you do. I would have heard them coming the second their feet hit the hall.”

  I hold his eyes. “Cap likes to do the cooking in the mornings, so you should have asked him to join you or waited, and they let Maddoc make the coffee so he can decide how strong he wants it. Now it won’t be what he needs for the day.”

  He rolls his shoulders to hide that they grew tense and he turns back to his task at hand – flipping bacon in a fucking crisp white dress shirt.

  He clears his throat. “And Royce?” he asks quietly.

  I watch his back intently. “Royce likes hot chocolate. Usually Cap makes it for him so it’s ready when he wakes up. He helps set the table. They all clean up.”

  Why am I talking?

  Rolland pours a cup of coffee and reaches into the fridge, producing a bottle of creamer.

  He sets both in front of me. “And you?” He crosses his arms. “What is your role, exactly?”

  Ha! Please.

  I shrug, not up for his little game – whatever the hell it might be. “No role. I’m just some girl sleeping in your house, Mr. Brayshaw.”

  He nods. “Right. Because my sons would allow some girl into their world as they clearly have you. I was afraid this might happen.”

  “Well.” I lean forward. “They weren’t exactly given the choice, now were they?”

  “I see you think you understand the situation.” His eyes narrow. “What exactly did your mother tell you, Raven, you know, when you convinced my sons to take you to speak with her?”

  Bastard was watching from a cell.

  “Plenty. And my mother’s a whore, not much of a liar, you should know this after your many hours spent with her, so I don’t doubt too much of what she shared. Oh, but don’t worry, she made sure to close her lips when she felt her cash flow would be affected. Safe to say your real intent” —I widen my eyes like an asshole— “will rot with her corpse should she croak before you spill ... so long as she gets what she wants, but I’m sure you know all about that.” I pick up the cup and creamer, lift a brow and add, “They don’t like a big breakfast before school.”

  I give a shitty smile and move to the other side of the house, leaving him standing there with the smell of burnt bacon.

  I end up in the weight room, and drop onto the mat, fix my cup and watch the wind beat on the trees through the window. It angrily swishes at the branches, but not to be deemed weaker, they fight back, lashing in both directions, defying their demand to fall in line.

  I lift my cup to my mouth and blow, but as soon as it hits my lips, I freeze, deciding better of it and set the cup down.

  A light laugh comes from behind me and I jerk to find Royce.

  He leans against the frame. “‘Fraid he spiked your shit, RaeRae?”

  I shrug and his smile grows.

  “Smart.” He chuckles, jerking his chin. �
�Come on, girl. Let’s go.”

  “Do I have to?”

  “You want fresh coffee or not?”

  “Are we leaving?”

  He laughs, walking over to pull me up. He wraps his arms around me, staring. “You good?”

  “No reason not to be yet, right?” My eyes bounce between his.

  “Right,” he says but the corners of his eyes deceive him.

  “Level with me, Royce. Am I about to be blindsided?”

  “I have no idea, RaeRae,” he whispers. “I like to think not, but I won’t be okay with it if you are.”

  There’s a knock on the door frame and we both shift to look.

  Rolland’s stare bounces between both of ours and his forehead creases further. “Join us.”

  Royce releases me, and Rolland turns, heading back toward the kitchen.

  Royce chuckles and picks up my coffee mug and the creamer.

  “What?” I ask, following him out.

  “He’s royally confused.” He hits me with a grin. “He has no idea which one of us – if any – you’re fuckin’ and he’s too damn proud to ask.”

  A laugh bubbles out of me before I can stop it. “But I was playing joyrider on Maddoc when we walked in last night.”

  “Yeah, then Cap ran to your rescue when you fell, and now I had you hidden away in the farthest room in the house, wrapped in my naked arms while you felt up my strong, tattooed chest with your rough little hands.”

  My face soothes out as I blink at him, making him laugh loudly.

  “Kidding.” He lifts a brow. “But pretty sure it might look that way to a man who has no fucking clue what he came home to.”

  “I’m betting he’s more aware of things than you guys realize.”

  “Maybe.” Royce bends to whisper in my ear since we’re entering the kitchen. “But he don’t know how we feel, only what he’s told, RaeRae. Power? It’s always in the pussy.”

  I laugh loudly and all eyes jump to me.

  Maddoc glares but turns back to the coffee pot – the empty coffee pot.

  Stove is cleared off, too.

  I glance to Rolland and he winks, but I don’t acknowledge it, and head over to Maddoc.

  He turns his head, running his lips across my temple mindlessly as he pulls down a few cups. “Why’d I wake up alone?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question.” He frowns.

  I don’t get to respond because Rolland speaks next.

  “We have much to talk about, but later.” His eyes zero in on me. “If you boys want to head out, I’ll get Raven dropped off.”

  Silence.

  Not one of them moves, not one of them speaks.

  Rolland’s eyes bounce across the four of us, swinging my way when I snap.

  “No.”

  His brows jump. “No.”

  “Hell no.” I cross my arms. “They go, I go.”

  He crosses his arms now, leaning back against the table. “It wasn’t a question. I need to speak with you, privately.”

  “About what?” Maddoc asks but gets ignored.

  “You need to speak, speak here. I have nothing to hide, so unless you do, why hold your tongue?” I challenge, and his eyes intensify.

  “I’m afraid, it doesn’t work that way,” he speaks slow. “I must speak with you, alone.”

  “Too fucking bad,” I snap, and he glares.

  Maddoc shifts. “She rides—”

  “Listen, little girl—” his dad cuts him off, but Maddoc pushes forward, stepping in between us.

  “I said she rides with us,” he affirms, and my stomach muscles tighten.

  Yes, baby.

  “We’re not changing that right now.” He then slowly glances at me over his shoulder. “We’ll be out front.” He holds my eyes, cutting them to my pocket and back, making sure I understand what he’s telling me without words.

  They can’t hear me out there like they did at my mom’s, but they’ll hear it if I whip my knife out and throw it at the fucking window.

  He doesn’t think I’ll need it. If he did, last night would have gone a lot differently.

  He and I, we’re laced together with a tight needle and thread.

  When I tear, it’s him who bleeds.

  My apprehension has overrun me and seeped into him.

  When Royce hesitates on the bar stool, I look his way.

  He nods through his frown, they grab their shit and walk out the door.

  I don’t pause but spin back to Rolland who, of course, is attempting to read my every movement.

  “Your sons are impatient, so...” I roll my hand to get him speaking.

  Rolland only leans back farther.

  “Okay, fine. Clearly you’re waiting to feel me out. I’ll start. Did you plan this?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Which part?”

  “All of it,” he admits with ease.

  My pulse kicks a little higher. “Why?”

  “It was necessary, and to answer the question you won’t allow yourself to ask, my sons had no idea.”

  My head pulls back slightly, and I step closer, bracing my hands on the bar. “Don’t stand there and pretend to know me. And don’t put words in my mouth. They told me they weren’t aware, I chose to believe that. But, hey, since we’re talking about it, what’s the purpose of all this? Why am I here?” I challenge, not expecting him to give any real reason.

  But Daddy Brayshaw is a smart man and gives me absolutely nothing while giving something at the same time. “Because I need you.” He tilts his head. “Also, I never slept with Ravina, not a single time.”

  My brows draw in and he stands.

  “All those times I was there, I was simply paying her for her time to speak.”

  “About?”

  He eyes me. “Things. You.”

  “Couldn’t have been a very beneficial conversation. She knew nothing about what I did or where I went. Why not hire a PI? Clearly, money was no object.”

  “I couldn’t have people asking questions that I could not answer, and you’re right. Our talks weren’t always good ones, but you belonged to me at that point, so she made sure she found something to share when she knew I was coming.”

  “You in the business of buying little girls, Rolland?”

  His features tighten, and he sticks his hand in his pocket, producing a piece of paper. He holds it up but not out, simply trying to taunt me. “I have to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “In a minute, but first, you have to give me your word you won’t tell my sons.”

  My head snaps back. “Hell no.”

  “It’s the only way.”

  “It’s the wrong way.” I push off the counter and go to exit the kitchen, but he stands and blocks my path.

  “I’m afraid we’re past what we all want at this point,” he says.

  I scoff and shove past him. “You didn’t do your research if you thought for a second I was capable of being manipulated like this. Whatever she was that you were used to, don’t expect the same from me. People around here may see you as one man, but I see another. I owe you no loyalty, and your sons have mine. You don’t get a free pass. I don’t give a shit what you like to pretend your last name is.” I let my eyes run over his form before bringing them back to his. “I hope you spend some time with your boys, Mr. Brayshaw, like real time. It won’t take you long to realize they won’t put up with lies. Not even yours. You wanted fierce, strong, determined men? You’ve got them.” I shrug. “Time will tell if it was the wrong move on your part or not.”

  “I’m not done talking.”

  “Well, I’m done listening.”

  His expression remains blank as I turn and walk out the front door, leaving it open so he hears the words I know will leave Maddoc next.

  “Good?” he asks.

  I nod. “Just another day in the life of rich and crazy, twisted bullshit.”

  “What does that mean?”
Maddoc glares.

  “Apparently, your daddy has a secret he doesn’t want me to share with you.”

  Every muscle in their faces goes slack.

  I look at Rolland over my shoulder, who, shocker, has moved closer to the door.

  “Fuck you and your ultimatum. You may have had her in your pocket, but you’ll never have me.”

  My brows snap together when an instant grin splits his lips and he claps.

  He fucking claps.

  My mouth drops open.

  “Thank you, Raven.”

  “For?”

  “For being everything they believed. They trust you with all they are, and it seems they were right too.”

  “So what, this was a test you all agreed to?” I spin to glare at the boys.

  “No, no.” Rolland regains my attention, shaking his head. “I told them I wasn’t sure you could be trusted, but they were quick to defend you. The four of you building loyalty without the pressure of having to is exactly what I had hoped for.”

  “Other than getting out of prison?” I sass.

  Royce laughs and Rolland’s lip twitches.

  “Other than that.”

  Rolland looks to his sons. “As much as I’d love to watch you boys play, I need you guys to keep my homecoming quiet until after the championship game. Donley Graven will be there, and I’m hoping to catch him off guard in a few days.”

  “Why?” Maddoc pushes.

  “I have some things to get in order before I go to him.”

  “What things?” Royce questions.

  Rolland grins. “We’ll discuss everything soon, boys.”

  “I have a daughter,” Captain rushes out, out of fucking nowhere.

  Everyone freezes and dead silence surrounds us.

  My eyes slice from Cap to Rolland in complete shock.

  Shoulders wide and strong, held high with his chin, Captain stares into the eyes of the man he loves like a father but hid his deepest secret from in order to protect his baby girl.

  All thoughts melt from Rolland’s face and his shoulders fall. His eyes grow soft as the corner of his mouth lifts into a sad smile.

  He nods, speaking low, “I know, son.”

  Both Royce and Maddoc tense while Captain’s frown grows sharper.

  “What do you mean, you know?” Cap asks him. “You never once asked about her.”

  “And you never once mentioned her,” he says quietly and Captain drops his eyes to the floor, looking back up while Rolland steps closer. “The first call I made on my way home was to our attorneys. The papers are being drafted as we speak.”