Break Me (Brayshaw, #5)

by Meagan Brandy

He shifts closer, grips my wrist and lifts it between us, inspecting the small strip of gauze wrapped tight around my palm. “Me versus a broken vase,” I feel the need to explain. “The vase sort of won.”

Royce’s eyes move between mine. “Hope you’re ready, little Bishop.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Ready for what... exactly?” He looks up at the plane that has his last name printed large and proud on the side with open eyes and an answer that steals my voice. “To come home.”

Home. As in to Brayshaw. I think I’m going to puke.

I spent the last twenty-four hours going back and forth with myself, but if I’m real, I knew before I even made it home I’d see her again and why—to bring her home with me.

If everything works out, Bass will get to keep the life he loves, save the money he earns, and I get my brother back. That might be the only reason I even stepped onto this plane.

She thinks he is still there?

Royce pretends he’s this cavalier Casanova, but in my short time with him, I recognized the truth. Royce Brayshaw has a heart. It might be coated in toxic candy, but it’s there.

Me: Thank you for what you did. Travis didn’t say a word.

A dozen sprinkle donuts and a still wrapped pack of Yoo-hoos, but beside them, a small turquoise box. I run my fingers along the outer edge, reading the note scribbled right on top. Your cousin’s a bitch and your fix-it days are over. Time to fly.

A low chuckle leaves me, and I open it up to find a pair of sunglasses sitting inside. I stare at them for a long moment, and then finally pull them from the box and slip them over my eyes. “Perfect fit.” I spin to find Royce leaning in the spot I just was, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes on me.

The perfect fit. I take a deep breath. Let’s...

“A jet.” Maddoc pulls himself up on the ledge of the pool “A badass jet.” He licks his lips, gauging me. “You bought a jet... to get to a girl?”

“No.” I grin. “I bought a jet ‘cause I wanted it. We need a vacation and in case something happens when we take one, a way to get back quick.” “And in case you needed to get to this girl quick.” I glare and both my dickhead brothers’ grin.

“So Raven was right.” Maddoc looks from his wifey to me. “Your lonely ass ...

I splash his ass, but turn to my niece when her water shoes bump into me. She’s lying flat on her back, little star-shaped shades on, her feet hanging over the edge of the donut-shape...

“Who is this... far from random girl?” Victoria looks from Raven to me. “And when do we meet her?” “Nah, nah.” I find myself sliding backward. “Don’t get it twisted, assholes.” I chuckle. “This is business.”

“You realize when it comes to you, ‘business’ means something completely different?” Captain quirks a blond brow. “‘Course I do.” I laugh. “And she’s mine.” The girls hide smiles and I frown. My face falls and I lift my palms. “I mean to handle.” “Uh-huh.” Victoria laughs.

Don’t underestimate what you don’t know, and once you do, tear it to pieces or tip your fuckin’ hat.

“He should be rollin’ in around tonight.” “Wait.” Raven is full of suspicion. “So he didn’t fly with you guys?” “Yup. He’s driving all their shit in.” A laugh spurts from her and she shakes her head playfully. “You cave-manned her, didn’t you?” “I might have lifted her off the ground, but I didn’t toss her over my shoulder.” I scoff, but a grin breaks free. “She was sitting in a chair, so I took it, too.” My family laughs. “Oh man.” Victoria smiles. “To see the look on her face.” Yeah, it was pretty fuckin’ fun.

Royce Brayshaw, a wanton wild one. A shirtless Brayshaw, the eighth wonder of the world.

“Did you really insist I have my own room when literally every other person in that house shares with one to two other people?” He blinks at me. And then he blinks again. “Are you for real?” He widens his stance. “You’re complaining right now?” “Well, I didn’t come back here to say hi.”

“You’re in your own room, ‘cause that’s where I want you. ‘Cause there, in that room, I can get to you when the fuck I want.” “When you want?” “When.”

“You’re not a group home girl like they are. I didn’t come to your fuckin’ rescue, I hired you. You’re an employee. My employee, baby girl, so be ready to work, to jump, to fetch, when I tell you to, and before you ask me why, the answer is ‘cause you got in that car. You came to my town. Now here you stand, in my reach. That makes you mine to regulate.”

My smile is instant, my hand flying out to latch on to his arm. “Wait, seriously?” Royce’s features pull, his focus quickly moving from my hand to my face. “Wait, what?” I squeeze. “Am I really your employee? Like I work here now? You didn’t just move me in... you need me?” Royce is stuck for a moment, unmoving.

I love this girl.

“Wait!” Royce pauses, but only glances back with his head. “If you thought I was only coming back here to say hi, why couldn’t you just...” I give a small shrug. “You know, say hi back?” His features pull.

Bass: I’m sorry. I’ll call you back soon. Bass: I love you, little sister. Never change who you are.

“Who is she?” he asks, and rightfully so. She came near his home, his woman, and unborn kid. Our niece. I meet their eyes but hold Raven’s. “Brielle Bishop.” “Bishop,” Raven repeats. “As in...” “As in your boy Bass? His little sister.” “I...” She shakes her head. “Didn’t expect that.”

Cap turns to me. “Miss Maybell sent her down here, didn’t she?” “She didn’t admit it,” I tell them. “Didn’t deny it, either.” “She didn’t want to rat her out,” Raven realizes. “Why would she care?” “Sounds like a loyal move,” Victoria throws out and I pin her with a glare. “Don’t start your shit.” She laughs, hopping onto Captain’s back. “Just saying.”

“Just trust me, the girl’s off.” “Off how?”

“Like she eats chips with a fork off or she’d cut your junk off in your sleep and convince you later she did it because she loves you off?” “The fuck, RaeRae?” I chuckle, but a small shudder shoots through my body and I cup my traumatized cock. “Come on, Ponyboy, give us something,” Raven pushes.

“She laughs when she should be scared, jokes when she should be mad, and—” “So she’s Royce-proof?” Victoria interrupts me, making Raven laugh.

My head snaps back to the porch as the two climb down the stairs, his hand at the base of her back, as if she needs to be led. She doesn’t. An unexpected urge to knock Micah off the steps follows, but I push that shit back, letting irritation take its place.

She grins. “You doin’ okay back there, Ponyboy?” “Don’t pretend you didn’t notice. Ass is your jam.”

I can spot a nice ass from a mile away, find that shit under any kind of material known to man, thick or thin. So, like I said. I saw it. Gotta admit, she’s got more than I realized. Hips too. Not that I care.

I laugh. “I already ate… but I guess I could go for a hot chocolate?”

STOP

“Welcome to Brayshaw.”

Maddoc, who stands there with a blank face, has thick, dark hair, and caramel-colored skin which gives him away instantly. He’s every bit of a living Greek god. An angry, eerily emotionless one. From what I’ve gathered, he’s the one to watch. Not the leader, as they’re all thought of as equal, but there’s something about him that merits extra caution and meticulous care.

Captain stands beside him and offers a slight tip of his chin and a small smile. He’s as tall as Royce and Maddoc, but with wider shoulders, creamier colored skin, and blond hair—the most obvious contrast of his adoptive siblings. He’s got that all-American vibe going, but to be blinded by first glance is to miss the confidence in his wide stance, the tension in his shoulders—he’s pretty, but perilous.

A gorgeous girl with golden hair that meets her hips has her elbow propped on Captain’s shoulder, but I’m not sure...

A quick laugh comes from the left and my head jerks that way. My breath lodges in my throat as my eyes land on Raven Carver. Or I should say Raven Brayshaw. Long, dark hair, ink ...

The heir to the entire Brayshaw empire who nobody even knew existed until she showed up on the doorstep of the very group home I now live in, if what I’ve learned is true. A product of rape in a war between the founding families of this town, raised by a vile mother, a whore in true form, every bit a trailer trash disaster, and abu...

“That.” She jerks her head. “Is Victoria, and my sister. And yes, Cap’s BrayGirl.” “Bitch.” Victoria draws my attention with a smile. “I’m his now, tomorrow, always... and you.” She nods with a smirk, her eyes falling to the crowbar in Royc...

“I know, brother.” I nod. “But I want her to my damn self. I’ve gotta score back some points since Uncle Dick over here keeps sneaking stuffed trains in her room.” Captain swings his frown to Maddoc. Maddoc’s glare snaps my way, and he tosses a bottle cap at me. “You said no more stuffed animals,” Cap calls him out.

What neither of them know is I rented out the entire Build-A-Bear Workshop for Sunday night for the princess.

He’s definitely saying something. Talking to her. Right near her fucking ear, like I was only hours ago when I realized she smells like sunshine and wicked red wine. The sweet with a bite that follows.

Little Bishop: I tried, but that was weird.

Me: don’t know what you’re talking about. Little Bishop: sure you do. Smart-ass.

Little Bishop: I say hi to the mailman when I see him. I’m not going to pass by you and not say hi. Me: so I’m on equal playing ground as a mailman? Nice.

Little Bishop: You are DEFINITELY not on the same level as the mailman. That’s right. I’m not. Little Bishop: He says hi first...

Little Bishop: So yeah, this is your fair warning. I’m going to say hi when I see you because I want to, but I won’t be showy about it. Promise. Nobody will ever even assume we’ve spoken a word to each other. That last line shouldn’t piss me off.

They don’t know Brielle’s off-limits. Fuckin’ Christ. I look to Brielle. Her smile deepens.