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It was subtle, at first, but then she got jumped, and since I had been following her, I was the one there to stop it, which also meant I was the only one who could get her home, back to them... with the help of Mike.
I’ll never forget how Captain looked into my eyes with curiosity swimming in his own. Of course, there was anger there too, but still.
He saw me that night.
Demanded a response, and after it, he never stopped.
I’d catch him observing me, straight on or behind his shades.
He wasn’t shy about it, but the Brayshaws never are.
They see what they want, and they stop at nothing until they get it.
Raven told Chloe something not long after that and it had a positive effect on her. She later shared the conversation with me, and it’s been playing on repeat since they left me standing in the orchard the other day.
You don’t need a Brayshaw to become one. All you have to do is earn it.
That’s my goal.
I glance toward Captain standing not three feet away, eyes on me.
Before I had this group, I had nothing.
My time as part of their fold, while short-lived, was long enough for me to grow greedy and want more.
Becoming a Brayshaw isn’t enough, but it’s where I’ll start.
I’ll earn their trust, prove my loyalty, and earn my token of acceptance as they all have theirs.
After I’m one of them, truly and completely...
I’ll earn him, too.
Anyone who gets between me and what I want will be dealt with in true Bray fashion, because that’s who I am supposed to be. I feel it.
Captain Brayshaw is mine. Period.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
A slow, dangerous smirk crosses his lips right then, and the blue in his eyes flashes a deep, midnight ocean.
Or does he?
Suddenly, Royce is wrapping his arm around my neck, dragging me forward as our group begins to move.
“What—”
“Shut that pretty little mouth, VicVee. It’s all part of the process.”
I don’t think so.
I dig the heels of my combat boots into the pavement, and Royce jerks to a stop, his eyes slicing my way in warning, but I’m not backing down.
“I get it, you want me to fill the role of the new toy passed between the group, but that’s too bad.”
“Yeah?” Royce gives a menacing growl for only me to hear, but there’s no power behind it. “And why’s that?”
I stare into his dark eyes, allowing him to see the purpose in mine. “I have a point to make, want it clear from the start, and I can’t do that under your arm.”
His glare holds as his head dips closer until his face is hidden in my hair and neck. He allows his smirk to spread across my skin, where no one else can see, as he whispers, “That you fuckin’ do, VicVee, but watch your step, ‘cause every other motherfucker will be after today.”
He shifts, looks past me, and nods his chin. “Take her off my hands, yeah?”
Royce’s arm falls, smacking my ass on the way down, and then he catches up to the others chuckling from a few steps ahead.
I turn to Captain, who makes no move to come closer, so I do as he wants.
I go to him.
“My brother not good enough for you?” His gaze is sharp and angry, but I know him better than that.
“No, he’s not,” I answer rapidly.
Captain’s frown deepens. “You’d be lucky to have him.”
Instant and complete support.
I want that.
“I’m sure you’re right, but someone else will be luckier. He’s not the one I want.”
Frustration drives him forward. “Having these people see you as my Bray Girl, doesn’t make me yours, you get that, right?”
“Let me handle that part.”
At first, he just stares, a question he refuses to ask written in his eyes.
He doesn’t blink, doesn’t speak, and he stays that way for several seconds until his arm finally drapes across my shoulders, and I’m yanked into him, his hold far more possessive than I’m betting he realizes. His spine even straightens with me tucked at his side.
We head up the steps of Brayshaw High, the others, including Mac and Chloe, waiting near the door for us to arrive and walk inside.
Maddoc and Raven lead, every eye around lasered in our direction, on their King and Queen and their equals at their sides but no one dares to whisper.
They will, but later and in private.
The boys do their little bro claps with a few others from their basketball team, and I wave at one of the girls from the group home when she nods her chin at me, but other than that, no one approaches.
Mac and Chloe break off first, heading wherever their classes are as we stay standing dead center in the hall.
Royce doesn’t wait around but struts right into class while Maddoc takes his time with Raven before he too walks off. She glances our way, and then slips through the door, leaving only me and Captain.
