BE MY BRAYSHAW

by Brandy, Meagan

  It’s like they say, silence speaks the loudest, and his is deafening.

  I hurt Captain Brayshaw.

  You have to be inside someone to have that kind of power, and that’s a damn good place to start.

  As if sensing my thoughts, his eyes skate my way, but then the words that were openly spoken with me sitting here catch my attention and I look to Mac.

  “Fourth table, two to Victoria’s left,” Mac says, keeping his eyes trained on Royce. “This is the fourth time this week they’ve come across the bridge.”

  Across the bridge, as in into Brayshaw territory.

  These are Graven Prep students they’re talking about, guys who followed the family that’s now fallen. Assholes without a leader to set them straight... or knock some sense into them when they’re feeling brave.

  “Bold little fuckers.” Royce’s jaw tics.

  “They’re standing.” Raven speaks into her cup.

  “They know why we’re here.” Captain licks his lips. “Shriveled up like punks the second I fuckin’ parked.”

  Royce nods, slowly setting his phone down. “Grew a half of fuckin’ pair to try and play like mice.”

  A sheath drops over Captain’s eyes as he falls into the situation, his mind is racing, running through every possible scenario second by second, and then his hand discreetly slides beneath the table.

  My pulse ticks heavy in my ears, an unexpected thrill tightening my stomach as I wait for what I know is to come, the shine of the sun as it meets a heavy, solid piece of metal that has now slipped over Captain’s fingers. He closes his fist once, testing what he already knows is a perfect fit, his brass knuckles now sitting ready as he keeps his arm loose at his side.

  Royce’s fingers wrap tight around the top edge of the chair he straddles, his eyes lasered on nothing, yet he sees everything, body bouncing as his leg jerks in anticipation.

  These boys, they’ve been caged for too long.

  “Raven.” Maddoc’s voice is deep and low, warning.

  “I know, Big Man.” Her hand comes up to cover the keys on the table, her eyes popping up to mine.

  That’s when they come forward, a group of six guys I’ve never seen, weaving through the crowd, forced to round our table—that or get trapped inside our circle.

  Royce waits for the exact second their feet plant in the spot he wants them, and is on his in the same second, chair already spun and lifted, shit-whipping the front two with the ass of the cheap plastic.

  The impact sends them stumbling into the next few behind him, blood pouring from their faces, and every person at our table is on their feet at the same time.

  Captain moves, blocking me completely as his shoulders seem to bow, his length with them, and suddenly I’m locked in a cocoon of his shadow.

  And then the shadow grows, and I turn in time to witness the solid unit standing tall and bold, but they’re only still for a split second.

  Fists fly quick, but all I see are Captain’s.

  He shifts with swift, clean movements, his back bending as he dodges a punch, an elbow flying to knock another asshole back while the one across from him creeps closer.

  Captain’s fist flies out so quick, that by the time the guy realizes he’s been hit, Cap’s already pulled back, and has his right hand swinging around.

  The crack of bone against metal seems to echo around us, blood droplets flying through the air and splatting on my sleeve as the guy’s head whips to the side, but Captain doesn’t allow him to simply fall. He catches him with a high knee on his way down and it’s lights out.

  He goes for the next right as the table is jolted in front of me, Royce’s back hitting against its edge as he’s blindsided, but he uses the fall for momentum, bouncing back harder, quicker.

  Raven curses at my side and panic spreads through me, my eyes flying to hers.

  The table’s been shoved closer to where she stands, meaning the fight has too.

  She quickly looks from the boys to me to her and a thick strain pulls over her, anger fused with so much more. She hates to walk away, but what’s hidden beneath her hoodie trumps everything else and it could get wild and bumpy quick.

  I glance back at the scene, and to her.

  She nods, keys scraping against the tabletop as she dashes by, and as if sensing her, Maddoc’s head snaps her way, following as she jumps inside the SUV.

  It’s as if that flipped a switch, seeing her locked and safe.

  His entire body grows lax, an eerie calm taking over, but before he can refocus on the fight, a right hook comes down across his jaw. Maddoc simply grins, spits blood from the corner of his mouth and gets right back in it.

  I jump when a body lands on the table, my eyes popping up and meeting Royce’s.

  They’re dark and empty. “Raven?”

  “In the car. Watch out!” I shout.

  Captain’s entire body shifts this way when I scream, and he catches the arm of the dickhead who tried to get Royce back with a chair of his own.

  Captain blindly throws it over his head, yanking the guy in and headbutting him in the same second.

  With his jaw clenched tight, he glares at me. “Get out of here.”

  My eyes fly left at the guy attempting to stagger away, to leave his friends behind like a complete dick. So, instead of listening to Cap’s command, I flip the table over, tripping the guy and sending him right into Royce’s fist.

  All at once, the boys inch closer to each other, the six across from them slowly wobbling to their feet, helping each other balance by sharing their weight.

  “This is Brayshaw, motherfuckers,” Royce throws out as they allow them to hobble away.

  Not another word or threats are needed—they know they don’t belong.

  Then, as if nothing at all happened, Captain picks up the table as Royce grabs the chairs. Maddoc moves for the SUV to get his girl while Mac disappears inside the burger joint, and not five fucking seconds later ... up walks Jason Rowe, his girlfriend Tisha tight under his arm.

  My muscles tense, and I chance a glance at Captain.

  He takes his sweet time acknowledging their former teammate and his girlfriend.

  There’s a new shift in the air, but it’s unlike the one that just took place, and you would never know by looking across the three.

  These guys, they’re Brayshaw, and issues among their own are handled a lot differently.

  Always the calmest bravado.

  Talk about a test of endurance, they’ve still got blood on their knuckles.

  “Damn Brayshaws,” Jason teases, having caught the entire fight. “You handed them their asses.”

  “They knew it was coming,” Royce edges with a grin I’m not so sure Jason realizes is vindictive. “We know and see all, my man.”

  Jason chuckles, making eye contact with Maddoc. “Almost didn’t believe you were back when Mac called on a game.”

  “Only a fool would question our boy, ain’t that right, MacMoney.” Royce tips his head toward his friend, his thumb coming up to dab at the cut on his lip, giving a nice slow show of the busted and bloody ones that make up his fist.

  “Yup,” Mac shouts from behind me somewhere, having come back outside.

  Jason grins, but it’s forced, the arm around Tisha tightens as he bounces his shoulder. “So, Saturday, yeah?”

  Captain nods, looking to Maddoc and Royce.

  “Hell, yeah, bro.” Royce reaches out, knocking knuckles with him, but his chin has dropped low, and he watches him through his lashes. “Been too long since we knocked elbows.”

  He couldn’t hide the intensity behind his dark eyes if he tried.

  He doesn’t try, but that’s Royce, purposeful, so nobody can read him right—rage or rager. All you can do is take him as he is and teeter on edge until he’s gone. Right now, he’s nothing but a ball of adrenaline, waiting to let loose again.

  He hides it well, though.

  They all do.

  “You bringin’ yours?” Jason asks M
addoc, nodding toward Raven.

  Maddoc eyes him, unblinking, and Jason licks his lips.

  He tries again, degrading his girlfriend for all to see. “Trying to decide if I should bring my piece or not.”

  Piece of shit.

  Maddoc lifts his chin, making a shift so subtle no one may notice he’s moved to block Raven’s belly.

  “Yo, you want your piece there, bring her.” Royce shoves his phone in his pocket with a shrug. “The more, the fuckin’ merrier.”

  “Yeah, for sure. We’ll see.” He looks to his girlfriend, nods his chin and walks away.

  All four silently stare after him, Mac too, but to the common eye, there’s nothing to see but a couple guys having said bye to their friend.

  They have a unique ability to put off whatever vibe they want without so much as a twitch flashing across their faces. Right now, their query is hidden behind a sheath of nothingness.

  Just like that, light chuckles leave each one, grins slipping in place with ease.

  Couple of boys who just had some fun.

  I suppress a smile, shaking my head.

  Like nothing, Royce flips another chair around, once again straddling the seat as the others settle into their own, and within less than a minute, we’re all sitting around the table again.

  I glance to Captain as his knuckles brush along the splatter on my top, and his eyes meet mine, but as if he hadn’t realized he reached out to touch me, he looks away.

  I spot Raven’s gaze traveling along the onlookers, so mine follows.

  With every ounce of caution, they begin returning to their seats as we have, not a soul daring to look this way.

  Raven leans over, whispering into my ear, “Another day in Brayshaw.”

  I nod.

  One thing’s for sure, if anyone had even an inkling of a doubt their boys had grown weak in their absence, they don’t anymore.

  I look back to Captain, and then the others, at the smirks playing on all their lips and realize, that’s exactly why they showed up here in the first place.

  They knew they’d be here, and they knew Jason would be, too.

  Two snakes, one stone.

  Chloe finally comes outside with a tray full of new drinks.

  She sits down, grinning across the group. “Now that was a Brayshaw homecoming.”

  Everyone laughs, and I can’t help it when my own follows.

  Chapter 5

  Victoria

  It’s been hours since my boring afternoon was lit up by a Brayshaw plan I wasn’t privy too, hours since we all stood from the table, they slid into their SUV and I headed the opposite way.

  My feet hurt from mindless walking, and I’m exhausted from having nothing to do but think as the minutes ticked by.

  Thank hell the sun has finally faded, the moon now taking its place, indicating it’s safe for me to make the walk back home.

  At least that’s what I thought, but as I grow closer the smoky flavor of an evening firepit coats my throat and my steps slow.

  In the distance, off to the right of the mansion a flicker of a flame lights the orchards.

  They’re outside.

  Maybe it’s only them?

  My hope is crushed when I reach the end of the dirt path.

  The most precious laugh fills my ears, a laugh I’ve missed more than I can explain, more than anyone would understand.

  I tense at first, but then I close my eyes, taking a full, deep inhale, allowing her to breathe air back into my lungs and calm me in a way only she can.

  Zoey laughs harder, a loud, “and one and one,” following.

  A chuckle bubbles out of me, but I still don’t open my eyes. I lean against the tree and listen.

  She has no idea what and one means, but that won’t stop her. She repeats what she hears, as many toddlers do, and I know she’s at least connected it to sinking a basket.

  Captain’s laugh floats across the yard right then, and my lungs quickly deny the full breath its exit, a heavy pressure forming at the base of my throat and holding.

  “I think Royce was right.”

  My eyes fly open, locking with Maddoc’s.

  He stands beside his SUV, arms crossed over his chest, head cocked. “You must be dumb.”

  I swallow, but my voice still comes out raspy. “Or following orders.”

  Another round of laughs reaches us, and my brows cave at the sound, the knot in my stomach tightening, driving my shoulders forward as the pain settles beneath my ribs.

  Maddoc narrows his gaze, licking his lips as he steps toward me.

  He studies me a long moment, and I’d dare say surprise is what has his glare sharpening as his jaw sets tight. “You love that little girl.”

  If he expected me to respond, he’d have asked it as a question.

  He knows what I know, how powerful people find pleasure in taking what you cherish. To give a piece of you is to place a shock collar around your own neck and give the controls to another.

  Maddoc comes to stand directly beside me, his eyes trailing the direction I know the others are but can’t bring myself to look.

  “This game on Saturday,” he eases. “It’s the wrong fuckin’ place for her, yeah, but more than that, it’d mean revealing her to the town when he’s not ready to share her yet.” Maddoc’s head snaps my way, his frown meeting mine. “You should have realized that on your own.”

  “I only meant she’d love to watch him play—”

  “Changes nothin’.” He shifts his body to face mine. “Don’t talk without thinking, don’t move without understanding. You should know this shit already. Don’t make us ruin you.”

  “Is that not what you want?”

  “Here you go again, playin’ dumb.” He gets in my face, an angry irritation written across his. “You think it didn’t tear at his insides to walk away from you today, knowing you were out there alone after the shit that went down? No protection, no one to have your back?” He shakes his head. “You know we’re stubborn, hardheaded and untrusting. Shit don’t come easy for us, and it might not be fair, but that means the females in our lives have to work twice as hard to break through, be twice as fuckin’ strong. There is no other way.”

  “I’m not looking for a pass.”

  “Then sink your claws in deeper,” he growls. “And don’t flinch when the blood pours out.”

  Fight harder.

  That’s what he’s saying.

  That’s what he wants from me.

  His eyes narrow, and he pauses a moment before speaking again. “I can be everything Raven needs, give her anything and every-fucking-thing she’d ever want, but that’s not good enough. I want her to have more. She decided a long time ago, before she knew you shared her blood, before she knew you hid things from us, that it was you. She’s never had a friend. We were her first. Be her next, be what my brother needs and wants, be here for my family in full, or get. The fuck. Out.”

  Maddoc takes several steps backward, and my eyes slide over his shoulder, landing on the others who play around in the cool night air. Tension hardens his jaw as he looks to me. “He has to see what you mean to her... we all do.”

  My brows pull in in question as he shifts in my line of sight once more, before quickly turning around. He shouts across the long driveway, gaining the attention of every single one of them.

  Three smiles fall in an instant, but the fourth… it spread wider and wider with each passing second, and my heart sighs.

  Hi baby girl.

  Maddoc covers his mouth, giving a hushed, “I didn’t do this for you, and I won’t do it again.”

  He walks toward the rest of his family, each standing frozen and wide-eyed, but the shock quickly morphs into rage when Zoey drops the ball they’d been playing with, her feet carrying her right for me.

  She breaks into a run, a blinding smile on her pretty little face, blonde curls bounce all around, and she doesn’t slow her pace.

  Captain demanded I deny her, but I don’t, can’t.
>
  I quickly step from the shadows and onto the grass, holding my arms out so she can jump right into them.

  “Rora! Rora! Rora!” She laughs, rubbing her nose against mine excitedly. “You see me? I did it!”

  Tears threaten to fill my eyes, so I nod, pressing my tongue hard against the backs of my teeth to try and hold everything in. “I didn’t, ZoZo, but good job,” I whisper.

  “Daddy said ‘way to go, Zoey!’” she says, a beautiful shine in her voice.

  I laugh lightly, she still can’t say her name quite right.

  “I bet he was so happy,” I manage to croak.

  “Uh-huh!” She smiles, kicking to be let down.

  The second her feet hit the grass, she grips my finger, and I try not to tense.

  “Hu-mon, Rora!” She attempts to drag me along.

  Having no choice, I force my eyes to Captain’s.

  If it were humanly possible, steam would be rolling off of him—he’s fuming.

  It takes everything in me to grab a hold of her little hand and steady her.

  She looks up, confusion swimming in her blue-green eyes.

  I swallow, lowering to my knees in front of her, breathing through the ache in my ribs.

  “I don’t feel so good, ZoZo.” Lie, lie, lie to the one person I was always able to be honest with. “I have to go so I can feel better.”

  “Oh no.” Zoey tugs her hands free, placing her palms on my cheeks. “You got owies?”

  “Yeah,” I admit, quietly, my hands coming up to cover hers. “I do.”

  “Daddy fix it?”

  My throat grows thick, and I’m unable to swallow, unable to look into the eyes waiting for mine to lift.

  Why did Maddoc do this?

  I glance his way, but he watches Captain as Raven focuses on Zoey. Royce, though, his glare is directed right at me.

  I release Zoey, but she’s reluctant to let go, and a small frown forms across her forehead as I push to my feet.

  “Daddy, fix it,” she says, a little firmer.

  “No, ZoZo. I have to go.”

  “No.” She shakes her head, gripping my hand again and tugging. “No, no. Daddy do it. Hu-mon.”