Page 52 of Silver

Eighteen

Silver

* * *

Daphne is sound asleep when I open the door to her room the next morning and flip on the lights.

She gasps and jerks upright, glancing around. “What’s wrong?”

I chuckle. “Nothing. It’s time to get up.” I remove the shackle from her wrist. I know she’s disoriented. I like it.

She glances at the window. “It’s dark out.”

“Yep. I told you we would start your regular routine this morning. I like to rise early and get a start on the day. It will be good for you. You’ll feel more awake and clearheaded once you get used to a strict schedule.”

She makes a whining sound as I pull the covers back and snap my fingers. “Chop, chop, precious girl. Make your bed and use the bathroom. I put workout clothes on the vanity for you. You have seven minutes. If you’re not ready with your shoes on and your hair up in a ponytail, you’ll start the day with a spanking.” I turn and leave the room, pleased I was able to deliver that speech without chuckling at the look on her face.

Stunned is the right word. Her eyes were wide. Her mouth dropped open.

“Six minutes,” I call over my shoulder when I glance at the monitor and see she hasn’t moved.

She jumps to her feet, makes her bed haphazardly, and races into the bathroom. She almost closes the door before stopping herself.

Good girl.

Five minutes later, she hurries back out, her arms raised as she secures a band in her hair.

I point to her room. “Go back and remake your bed. You can do better than that.”

I wince as she scrambles past me. An unwanted memory comes to mind. It’s been a while since I’ve had such a disconcerting reminder of my high school days.

“Again,” Master Drill Sergeant Keagan shouts, pointing toward my bed. This is the fourth time this month he’s caused me to be late for school, so he can force me to remake my bed over and over until he’s satisfied with the results.

He does this to all five of us. It’s one of his favorite ways to torment us. There’s nothing wrong with the way any of us makes our bed. We do so perfectly to please him every fucking morning. But he enjoys tormenting us. He’s fucked up in so many ways I can’t even enumerate them.

While I redo the bed, my heart races. I’ve missed the bus. I’ll have to walk to school. I’ll run, but I’ll be late for first period and have to give my excuses to the front office. By then, Master Drill Sergeant Keagan will have called the school and told them I overslept, dragged my feet, or some other lie.

I grit my teeth. I will not break for him. Never. None of us will. We have a pact. We’re determined to get out of this fucking hellhole of a boys’ home and become successful members of society. We’re brilliant individuals. All we have to do is survive this last year until we’re eighteen.

We can. And we will.

“Sir?”

I’m yanked out of my miserable memories and glance up to find Daphne in front of me. She’s rubbing her hands together, her brows pinched.

I run a hand down my face and smile. “I went into my head for a minute, precious.” I stand from my desk. “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“To work out. There’s a gym on the first floor. We’ll start every day in there. Exercising first thing in the morning will give you a boost of energy.”

“Uh, I’ve never worked out before. I wouldn’t even know how.”

“You’ll learn.” I look up and down her body. I wasn’t overly pleased with the selection of workout gear available for women, but this will do. I couldn’t avoid providing her with tight spandex shorts and a sports bra. The only thing that will keep me from clawing the eyes out of my brothers is the fact that I’ve also given her a loose T-shirt to wear over the stretchy form-fitting material. I won’t have anyone ogling my girl’s tits or ass.

After handing her a water bottle, I head for the door. No one else is going to be in the gym this morning. I made sure of it. I won’t deny them the pleasure of working out at this hour indefinitely, but for the next few days, I don’t want Daphne interacting with my housemates or my sister. I want her focus to be completely on me and her training.

When we reach the gym, I flip on the lights and shut the door. I head for the treadmill. “Hop on. You can do a warm-up first.”