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“How are you going to make it up to me, Darling?”
I scoff, pushing him away. “There is no one here, there’s no need for a charade.” Just as those words leave my mouth we hear the slamming of car doors coming from outside and Carson grins. I know I am about to be put through yet another test as he locks his eyes on mine.
“Poor, little Brielle. You haven’t learned your place yet, but you will.” My fists tighten at my sides and I ache to wrap my arms around myself, but he doesn't give me the room even for that. “You failed to keep them away. You failed to hold up your end of the deal. You know what that means, don’t you?” he taunts. I stay silent as I wait for him to deal the final blow. “You will do anything and everything I ask of you if you want me to keep that little video to myself. No more talking back, no more half-assing your role, no more little surprises. And under no conditions will you interact with those bastards again.”
I clench my jaw, making it ache. I can’t bring myself to agree to him, even as I have no choice. We hear the sound of voices getting louder as people make their way up the drive. “Complete submission, Brielle, or I swear those bastards will be thrown in jail faster than you can blink.” I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood but nod. He owns me and now he knows it. The sharp tang of copper fills my mouth, but I can’t bring myself to care. “Are you ready to put on a show? It better be so good, even I’m buying it by the end of the night. You will fix the reputation they worked so hard to destroy.” My throat dries up as he stares at me but I can’t bring myself to open up my mouth to form a response. So I just nod. It seems to satisfy him better than any words I could have given him. Complete submission.
What the fuck did I just agree to?
I let him drag me into the main living area and pull us down on the sofa, his large frame swallowing up the space as he forces me right next to him. Jests and a few loud curses break the silent tension as Carson’s housemates walk through the front door. They’re all stomped feet and crass words as they make their way unknowingly towards us.
Carson looms over me, almost as if he cares about protecting me, though we both know that’s a lie. He only cares about protecting my reputation. His friends come through the door and pause, taking us in. I see the scrunched up flyer in one of their hands, and he doesn’t hesitate to move towards Carson and slam it down on the table in front of us. Fuck my luck. Of course it isn’t either of the two cronies that would tell Carson his shit doesn’t stink. Never thought I would be hoping for Bitch One and Bitch Two to walk through those doors.
“Damn, Crawford, didn’t know your girl had it in her.” The criticism is as clear as the leer he gives my exposed legs. Another affront I never would have thought I would be forced to endure before I came here. Not many dared to openly covet or mock me when I had the backing of not only my family name, but the guys as well. It doesn’t mean as much here when all the backing I have is Carson. Especially when these two have been fighting amongst themselves for the top spot within the house. The enemy of my enemy should be my friend, but why would he be when he can just use my humiliation to his advantage?
I feel Carson’s anger, even as he smiles smugly and rests his hand over my bare legs squeezing me roughly. “Come on now, Davis, everyone slums it a little in high school. Those bastards just need to realize she’s moved on to bigger and better things.” He shrugs as if he’s unaffected, making the other guys trade looks behind Davis’ back. They don’t know whose side to take, not willing to fall on the wrong side. Hmm. They’re smarter than they look. Carson won’t forget any perceived slight against him, no matter how small.
The house has been in a pretty even split between Carson and Davis. It’s pretty much the only thing Carson’s been whining about since we got here. Both men came in expecting the fight for top spot and both brought backup, but as much as I loathe to admit it, he will most likely come out on top of this little power dynamic feud. There’s no one better than a Crawford at these little games. Huh. Could I turn that into a weakness? I turn over the idea in my head, tuning out the guys. I might be able to tip the scales in someone else’s favor. But how to do that without Carson catching on?
His hand starts idly stroking up and down my leg, almost breaching the hem of my skirt. A silent threat to play my part or pay the consequences. I have to force myself to clear my throat as I add, “They are just jealous because I came to my senses and upgraded before college.” Carson squeezes my leg in approval and I paste my practiced smile on as I stare at the guys in front of us.
They trade looks once more while Davis gives an assessing glare, trying to determine how much of a hit this really was against me and ultimately Carson. The other guys must decide it’s not enough to turn their loyalty to Davis as they all sit down and give fake platitudes. Davis hesitates a moment longer before dropping into his own seat.
“How pathetic they chose to embarrass you in their rejection,” he offers. An olive branch dipped in poison. Even if it seems as though he’s taking my side, he’s still pointing out that it was, in fact, an embarrassment. Carson catches it as well as he tenses at my side.
Fuck. What would my mother do in this situation? I know very well Carson will lose his mind if I don’t respond appropriately. Somehow telling this guy to fuck off doesn’t seem like the right answer. I picture my mother in my head. She’s much more adept at these types of quips than I am. Right. She always leans on my father.
Women of our social standing aren’t meant to be loud, brash, or aggressive. It’s the man’s job to protect his woman. Gross. But I know it’s what Carson expects. What he wants. At least I have some experience burying my true self to be what others desire.
I lean my head on his shoulder, slipping my hand around his arm. “Pathetic indeed,” I agree, bile coating my tongue at the lie. “But it’s okay. Carson takes care of me.” He preens under my words, giving me a delighted smile.
“Of course,” Davis agrees, giving me a slimy smile. “It would have been better had the flyers never seen the light of day, but I’m sure Carson will deal with the fallout like you said. What’s a few rumors about how loose you must be when Carson already knows the truth, right?” A couple of the other guys’ eyes widen and one even coughs to cover his surprise.
Fuck me. Must I really deal with two pretentious assholes to keep my guys safe? Any single one of my guys would have already knocked this fucker out with one punch for daring to be so disrespectful, and to my face no less. Carson isn’t like that though. He will verbally spar until he’s blue in the face and go behind the scenes to attack his opponents where they never expected it.
That doesn’t help me now though, does it?
Carson’s hand slips higher up my thigh, sliding underneath my skirt now. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to tense. This dick insulted Carson and me all in the same breath and I know I’ll be the one to pay for it if I don’t put him in his place. And quick.
I have to swallow my pride and stroke his ego. I wave my hand in Davis’ direction, as if his words don’t matter. “A rumor is just a rumor. I’m sure you know how it is. The higher your status, the more people seem to have to say about you.” I level my own cool glare back at him. “Or maybe this is your first experience seeing just how desperate people can be to strike those at the top.” The way he flinches tells me my hit landed. The guy who coughed at his remark, now openly smirks at mine. What was his name again? Carson said something about it. What was it again? I think maybe his family is in the oil industry. Carson wanted him on his side, I know that for sure.
“Don’t worry though,” I offer in comfort. “Carson and I have far too much influence for such a silly little thing to cause any harm. Your concern is appreciated though. Isn’t that right, Babe?” I stroke Carson’s arm, wishing I could rip it from his body and beat this Davis fucker with it.
He places a kiss on my forehead before he nods his agreement. “Those who shine the brightest always have the most people wanting to tear them out of the sky. Brielle is much too strong for that.” His praise makes my stomach turn. I just want to get out of this suffocating house, away from his unwelcome touch and the calculating gazes of everyone else in the room.
Davis opens his mouth to respond, I’m sure with another thinly veiled insult, but Cough Guy beats him to it. “You’re right,” he agrees. “The rumors will fade in just a couple of days. At least you two seem closer than ever.” His gaze lingers on where Carson’s hand rests underneath my skirt, questions in his eyes. His hand isn’t high enough to truly be scandalous, but it’s provocative nonetheless.
Carson squeezes my thigh and I’m relieved it isn’t painful. He must be forgiving the spectacle now that one of the guys openly took his side. “Well, of course,” he chuckles. “There are more than a few benefits to having a girl with a wild side.”
I think I may have just thrown up a little bit in my mouth. I wonder if I could get my hands on poison?
“Carson!” I mock scold as I lightly tap his chest and bury my face in his shoulder. The guys all laugh and the conversation continues without me. I still feel Davis’ eyes crawling all over me even as the rest of the guys all but forget I’m even here. It’s a relief when he finally gets up and leaves the room.
Carson still doesn’t relax once he’s gone, keeping me firmly pressed against his side. I’m almost surprised he hasn’t just picked me up and forced me into his lap at this point. I helped him save face in the house, but I know it’s only step one to fixing the mess the guys created.
My stomach roils at the thought. I need some space. I need to be able to breathe for a few moments and try to get some semblance of a plan together or everything is going to fall apart.
There’s a break in the conversation and I look up to Carson, waiting for him to meet my eyes. He dips his head down indicating for me to whisper in his ear rather than speak aloud. I roll my eyes where no one can see, but play by his rules.
