She sat on the front porch waiting; ignoring the rain and the thick air as she absently twirled a strand of damp hair around her finger. She hated waiting, but what else did she have to do? Her chores were all done and it wasn't like anyone was here to keep her entertained. He'd left her early this morning, taking his men, a gun and his leather coat with him. She'd barely been awake when he had mumbled something about checking the traps out in the marshes. Now it was nearly dark. She knew the rain was the reason for him being gone so long. She also knew that he would be in a sour mood when they got back, provided they were back any time soon.
Releasing the strand of hair she let out an annoyed sigh as the lightening bugs began to appear. The faintest feeling of worry began to creep over her. What if something happened to them? What was she supposed to do? It's not like they had told her how to navigate the marshes or how to handle an emergency. Truth be told, she wasn't really even supposed to be out of the house, but Bray never minded her getting some fresh air. Especially since she mainly kept to the porch. On instinct she pulled part of her lip in between her teeth, gently biting it. Should she go looking for them? The sun was all but gone by now and the lantern was resting near the front door. Nervously fidgeting, she turned to look at it. What to do? She had almost made her mind up when she heard shouting coming from the trees. She turned back, sitting up slightly as she let out the breath she had been holding. Slowly they emerged from the woods, Bray walking well ahead of the others. Obviously something had happened, especially as Erick was hanging his head.
He stormed up to the house, his hat resting low over his eyes, while the ends of the coat flew out around him. From her vantage point it was clear to see that sour didn't even begin to describe how foul his mood was. Quickly, she got up to meet him, but the second he reached her she regretted it. Without so much as a word, Bray forcibly grabbed her by her bicep, dragging her up the stairs and into the house. She made a move to protest but all that earned her was a harsh glare. They burst through the front door together, Bray tracking mud all over her freshly waxed floor. Not that he cared. She knew what came next. That didn't make it hurt any less when he slammed her into the wall, pressing her into it with his full body weight as he gazed down at her with those piercing blue eyes of his. One hand came up winding its way into her damp hair, easily taking control of her head. While the other passed over her chin, his finger gently tracing her jaw. She never heard Luke and Erick come in. All she could hear was the sound of his labored breathing as he studied her, obviously deciding what he wanted to do. He was angry, it was all too clear. The question was who in the group was going to feel that anger.
"You're so pretty you know that?" She blinked. "You remind of this doe we almost had today." She couldn't see it but behind Bray, Erick flinched. "She was pretty too and so very frightened. In fact I'd bet her heart was probably beating a million miles a minute, just like yours is right now." He tilted her head upwards slightly, giving her an odd smile. "But she got away….didn't she Erick?" All Erick did was grunt a response. "Not like you though." His finger brushed her jaw again. "I've got you firmly in my trap, don't I darlin'." She nodded. "And you'll never try to get away, will you?" She started to shake her head but a hard pull on her hair stopped the motion. "Answer me like you should girl. I said you'll never try to get away, will you?"
"No Bray." He smiled at her again, scaring her slightly. It must've shown as she shivered slightly making him laugh.
"Good girl. You're such a good little lamb." He stepped back slightly looking her over. His hand left her face, while the other still kept a tight grip in her hair. He ran his fingers over the fabric, absently tracing the patterns. "I never liked the dress much. Never liked it at all." His eyes came up to hers. "You came here in this, didn't you?"
"Yes Bray."
"You have another don't you?" She smiled at him nodding. "You wear that one from now on….." He let go of her hair stepping back from her, finally letting her see Luke and Erick. "As for this one, well…." Swiftly and suddenly he reached out with both hands and grabbed either side of the dress. With one hard tug it split open, buttons flying everywhere, making her shriek. He easily pulled it off her body, wadding it up in his hands and tossing it out the still open front door. Instinctively she tried to cover herself, which simply made him laugh at her. "Aw what's the matter darlin'? Don't tell me you're getting all shy on me now." Bray grabbed her hands, forcibly pulling them away from her body. She struggled a bit, but that only made him laugh at her as he tightened his grip on her. They wrestled for a minute, Bray finally winning when he succeeded in wrenching her hands behind her back. "What's wrong honey?" He walked around her, slowly putting her on display for Luke and Erick. "You don't want your brothers to see how pretty you are?" He stopped behind her, making her flinch as he tightened his grip on her. "Look how she looks away." He pulled her into him, one hand letting go of her while the other easily held her hands in place. It came through her hair before he grasped her chin and forcibly turned her head so she had to look at Luke and Erick. One glance at their faces was just humiliating. They were both just standing there staring, Luke with a small smirk while Erick stood there slightly slack jawed.
Bray leaned in, kissing her behind the ear before he whispered into it. "They like you, did you know that?" She shook her head no. "Erick told me he thinks you're the most beautiful thing he's laid eyes on and as for old Luke over there, well he'd do things to you that would make a whore blush." She shivered slightly as she looked at Luke. His smirk got bigger, which only made her try to step back. "Nothing to be scared of, he won't hurt you…..unless I let him."
"Bray…I…." The hand on her wrists got even tighter, silencing her. He wasn't interested in anything beyond humiliating her.
"You're so good you know that. You got everything done today, didn't you?"
"Of course Bray." He let go of her chin, running his fingers over her hair.
"That's good, that's so very good. It's nice to know that someone in this house can listen." She watched Erick's eyes drop to the floor.
"Erick…." His flinched. "Tell your sister why there's no dinner for her to make tomorrow."
"I let it get away." Bray grunted, obviously not completely satisfied.
"And?" She glanced at Luke. Clearly he had been waiting for his queue to jump in.
"I wasn't listening and it got away."
"Tell her why you weren't listening."
"I was thinking about you…." He gestured to her current state of undress, which only made her eyes fall to the floor. It had become all too clear what this was all about.
"Hear that darlin? He was thinking all about you and not on what he was supposed to be doing. Should I make him tell you what he'd do to you if I gave him the chance?" She didn't look up. She only managed to slightly shake her head. "Or maybe I should just have Luke show him what you do with such a pretty thing like you." She flinched, hearing Luke chuckle. "Does she deserve that Erick, after she's been such a good girl does she really deserve that? You wouldn't like it if I told Luke to fuck her right here in front of you, would you?"
"No Bray." She glanced over at Luke, who licked his lips.
"I don't think she'd care for it either. Would you darlin?" She shook her head no. "I didn't think so." He let go of her hands for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her, trying to still her. She only just realized that she was shaking. "Poor little thing. You're shaking like a leaf." He glanced at the tall ginger again. "Erick apologize to your sister for what you've made me do to her." He did so which only made Bray laugh. His mood had almost instantly lightened. "You won't make me do that to her again will you? Erick shook his head no. "Good. Now be a good brother and go get your sister her other dress. I'd hate for her to have to suffer any more for your incompetence." Erick turned quickly dashing up the stairs, leaving a trail of mud behind him.
"Is that supper I smell?" She weakly smiled. "It smells wonderful." He kissed her cheek. "And the house looks wonderful. You take such good care of it and us, doesn't she Luke?" The dark haired man nodded. "Don't you worry about all the mud, Erick will take care of it after supper." He leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You just worry about taking care of me, and you make sure Erick hears it, understand?"
"Yes Bray."
"Who do you obey?"
"You" He smiled as they all heard Erick come back down the stairs.
"Good girl." He kissed her temple and slowly let her go. The leather coat was easily shrugged off and tossed to the side. "Erick…" The larger man paused at the base of the stairs. "After supper you're to clean up all the mud that got tracked throughout the house." He nodded, holding the dress out to her. She stepped forward, quickly taking it and putting it on. Bray nodded his approval before he headed back to the kitchen. "One of you get the door before you come back." Luke glared at both of them watching as she quickly stepped away from Erick, her eyes firmly fixed to the floor. She quietly closed the door before she followed Bray into the kitchen. Luke kicked off his shoes and scratched his beard before he watched Erick do the same. The two gave each other a silent look, Luke smirking as Erick dropped his head. Silently they headed into the kitchen together, joining the rest of the family for supper.