Doing my best to ignore the uncalled-for jealousy, I shrug as if I don’t care the least little bit what he does with other women. “That’s great, I guess, if you’re into that kind of thing. But I fail to see what that has to do with me.”
Bram shares another look with his family before laying a hand on my arm, his voice calm and patient when he speaks again.
“It has everything to do with you, Josie, because we can’t let you leave. So from now on, you’ll be living here, with us. As my Little girl.”
CHAPTER 5
JOSIE
No. No, no, no.
This can’t be happening.
As I look around the table, seeing Bram’s resolve reflected in the eyes of his siblings, I shake my head. “Absolutely the fuck not. You can’t justkeepme here. I’m not your hostage and I am sure asfucknot your Little girl.”
My voice hitches on the last few words, humiliating me. Because somewhere deep inside, I want everything he’s laid out for me. I want to be his girl again, to have my family back, even if it means getting my ass spanked on a regular basis.
Hell, maybe some part of me wants itbecauseI’ll be getting my ass spanked on a regular basis.
Bram’s expression hardens at my outburst. “I’m trying to give you some grace right now, little girl, because of everything you’ve been through. But you are dangerously close to getting your bottom spanked right here at the table before I wash your mouth out with soap.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
But he absolutely would dare. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s spanked me in front of his family, and that was a millionlifetimes ago, before he became the hardened, rough mountain man in front of me.
Shoving away from the table, I stumble backward, my head whipping from side to side as I search for an exit. “I am not staying here with you. And if you try to force me, I’ll—I’ll—I’ll call the cops!”
To my shock, all of his brothers grin and glance over at a scowling Gray. “Been a couple weeks since Gray got to see the sheriff,” Colt quips. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind an excuse to come up here and hassle us.”
“Fuck off, Colt.” Gray’s voice is an annoyed growl, making me wonder what’s between her and this mystery sheriff.
Not the point. Focus, Mercer.
Okay, calling the cops doesn’t seem to faze them so I need a different approach. “People will be looking for me. I have a whole team of employees who will be wondering where I am.”
My stomach sinks when they all share another meaningful look. Laying his hand on my shoulder, Bram squeezes lightly as if to comfort me. “Josie, baby, we know nobody is expecting to see you or really hear from you for at least a month. Nobody is going to come looking for you, and if they do, we’ll just have our friend send them an email letting them know you’re perfectly fine and hard at work on your next book.”
Fucking hell. I gave them everything they needed to not only trap me, but keep me, without anyone knowing I’m in danger. There is no cavalry headed my way, which means my only choice is to save myself.
Spinning on my heel, I dart out of the dining room, back through the living room full of oversized furniture and straight for the front door. It isn’t until I yank the door open and step outside that I realize I’m only wearing the t-shirt and panties I went to bed in. Which is not nearly enough protection from the bitter cold and the snow surrounding the cabin.
I’m in the process of debating if it’s worth risking frostbite to escape when an iron band wraps around my stomach, lifting me into the air. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, little girl?” Bram growls in my ear as he hauls me back inside.
“Let me go, you bastard!”
“Enough.” Back in the living room, he sits and yanks me unceremoniously over his lap, my panties once more tugged down to my knees to expose my ass. “I’ve been as understanding as I can, given the circumstances, but I will not allow my Little girl to use such naughty language. Gray, would you bring me your brush?”
Someone sighs, heavily, before Gray answers. “Yeah. I’ll be back.”
Oh,hellno. I’m no stranger to a hairbrush across my ass. Or a belt for that matter. And I have absolutely zero desire to experience either again, especially at his hands. I don’t even bother to scream now, instead putting all my energy into fighting him off as he wrestles me over one knee, his other leg coming up to lock over my calves, effectively trapping me in place. Grabbing both my flailing arms, he pins my wrists to the small of my back, holding them there with one large hand while the other smacks down on my bare ass.
Hard.
Fuck, that hurts. But if anything the pain only makes me more determined to escape and I fight even harder against his hold while his hand rains down on my poor, defenseless backside.
“You can fight me all you want, little girl, but you have more than earned this spanking and I am not stopping until I am convinced you’ve learned your lesson.”
“I hate you! Get off me, you asshole! I fucking hate you!”
