Page 49 of Break Me (Brayshaw High 5)

“We talked about this.” I shake my head. “Bark orders, be transparent, and all that.”

His frown deepens. “I told you to be ready at ten. What part of that made you think you weren’t riding with me?”

“The fact that you and your brothers ride together,” I answer instantly. “Add in how they don’t know me, and how there’s been zero trust established between any of us, it seemed exactly like what you’d want me to do.”

His lips press into a firm line, his jaw clenching slightly.

“Is that not the right way of thinking?” I ask, suddenly unsure.

I thought I was approaching this as I was supposed to, with their customs in mind.

Family runs deeper than blood, trust must be earned, not given, and all the jazz that comes along with that, but maybe I’m wrong?

Micah pulls up beside us then, and with his lips pinched tight, Royce opens the passenger door with a hard jerk.

When I don’t move, an exasperated sigh leaves him. “Get in the fuckin’ car, Bishop.”

I smile and do as he says, but before he closes it, he pops his head inside. “You don’t step out until I tell you to.” He looks to Micah, his expression now flat. “Follow us through the gate, but don’t block us inside.”

“You got it, boss.” Micah nods.

“Yeah, boss, see you there.”

Royce’s eyes snap toward me, and while they narrow, the corner of his mouth twitches. “Ten minute drive, don’t fuckin’ lose us.”

He slams the door, slips into the SUV and then we’re both rolling forward.

All I can think as we pull off the property is finally.

After nearly four long years, it’s happening. I’m going to walk into the place my brother lives for.

My nerves, they aren’t the dangerous kind tonight. They don’t raise my pulse, but swim in my stomach, flickering like the stars above us, driven by excitement that grows wilder and wilder as the minutes tick by. Before I know it, we’re creeping down a deserted street, rolling into a dirt parking lot, and bypassing a few rows of random cars until we’re lined up with a slightly hidden, and very large section of iron walls.

We never make it to a full stop as the moment we’re in the exact spot they intended us to be, those ‘walls’ turn into doors, and glide open. Seconds later we’re trapped within them, the laughs and shouts of dozens upon dozens heard through the thin windows of Micah’s new car.

Other than the boys’ SUV, Micah’s car is the only other one on this side of the gates.

He kills the engine and when he does, I reach for the handle.

Micah shoots an arm across my middle, and my eyes fly to his.

“No way, girl.” He frowns. “You heard the man. Park your ass until he climbs out.”

I drop against the seat, but Micah keeps his hand in place.

“I’m not going to sneak out.”

“And I’m not taking the chance in case you decide to.”

We both laugh and then the door is yanked open.

Royce looks to Micah’s hand, stretched across my chest, and his eyes slide his way.

“Out,” he commands.

Micah doesn’t hesitate, but as I unbuckle my seat belt and attempt to do the same, Royce crouches down, balancing on bent knees.

We’re eye level now and he studies me before saying, “There’re different tiers of people on our payroll, not everyone is equal as far as positions go. You’ll figure that out quickly. You want to earn a place here, find what you’re good at, show us how we can benefit from you or you are worthless.”

“If you thought I was worthless, you wouldn’t have brought me here.”

“If you think you know why I brought you here, you’re mistaken,” he snaps back.

I give a slow shake of my head and his frown slides in.

“If you think I care about semantics, you’re mistaken.” I shrug. “I’m home and that’s what matters.”

I climb out, forcing him to stand, and look up into his tightly drawn eyes.

“I thought you and I were going to be able to be friends. I kind of sort of thought we were starting to be already, to be honest, but if you want to keep me at this push and pull level, make it clear we aren’t and won’t be, that’s fine. I’m more than capable of being whatever else it is you need me to be, but if you decide you might have room for one more person to, you know, not hate, I won’t pretend I wouldn’t like that.” I tuck my hands in my pockets. “I’m not embarrassed to admit I could use a friend. It’s been a while since I’ve had one.”

I go to walk by, but he slides in my space again.

He speaks with a bit of an ambiguous rasp. “I know you asked Maybell to hide your last name, but it will come out, and then everyone will want to be your friend. Nine out of ten of them will be the farthest fucking thing from real. You say you aren’t naïve, but you’d give me your friendship so easy? Will you give them the same?”