Silence

4

TW ***

"Sneaking back in late are we little girl?" he sneers at me as I creep through the front door. I bow my head. I know attempting to defend myself is nothing more than a wasted breath.

"Not got anything to say doll? What a fucking surprise" I flinch as he grabs my wrist - my first mistake.

"Now, now. you know I don't like having to do this but little brats need discipline do they not?" My second mistake is not nodding my agreement fast enough. I barely have time to catch a breath before I'm thrown to the floor, committing my third mistake in the process as I try desperately to escape my fate. I count 30 lashes before butterflies flash in my eyes and just another 6 before I pass out...

I wake up panting, doing my best to keep silent - it's only my first night here; I can't even begin  to think about the consequences of waking them. My phone tells me that it's only 4:50 am causing me to sigh deeply before collapsing back into my sheets. After Jaxon gave me an extremely brief tour, I fell asleep almost immediately after ending my call with Emily in which I gave her a very detailed summary of what had happened. Falling asleep so early was definitely a mistake but by the time I realised this, I had no choice but to succumb to the awaiting darkness.

 When I was younger, I used to think Steven's punishments were normal, my mum was always working or just out, so he took on the main parental role - I guess I was so grateful for him taking some of the stress off of her that I didn't realise what he was doing was wrong. The first time I realised just how serious some of his punishments were was when I was talking with Emily about how sore I was, everywhere. I was 9 at the time. 

Thankfully, footsteps bring me out of my head and back into the present, but I start to panic when they pause outside my room. Luckily they continue moving past, allowing me to escape punishment just this once. I know it's useless trying to go back to sleep so I light a cigarette and sit on the small balcony to watch the sky until I take it as a suitable time to head downstairs.

 It's nearly 8 by the time I reach the kitchen where ,whilst being forced to eat some cereal, Mason gives me the wonderful news that Lucas and Kieran will be taking me out shopping today. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like shopping, I fucking love it, but I don't want to be treated like some charity case and judging by the luxury that my brothers appear to have an abundance of, I know that's how it's going to go down. I don't voice any of this however, I mean how would I even start? I just meekly nod my head like I always do and wait to be told what to do next.

I am guided toward the back of what I think is the newest Mercedes, black of course - just like the majority of my brothers' sleek car collection. Kieran turns the radio on and I zone out until a tapping on my window shocks me out of my thoughts. Slightly embarrassed at being caught unaware, I climb out of the car and am immediately thrown backwards by the noise. I swallow down my panic, shake my head at the question of which shops I'd like to visit and blindly follow my brothers into a multitude of stores. They end up buying pretty much whatever I even glance at, picking up a few pieces of clothing they like along the way. I attempt to voice my discomfort at the amount which they're buying but can't get the words out, and my glances get swept aside. It's nearly 2 by the time we reach our final shop, my brothers send me in by myself letting me know they'll be in in a minute, they just have to deal with a business call. This makes me a little suspicious, I mean Kieran is literally 17 - what business can he possibly have? Nonetheless I shuffle into the store, which like all the others we've visited today just screams wealth. I'm looking at this gorgeous summer dress when a sales assistant comes over.

"Do you not think this is a little out of your price range doll? I mean if you need help covering the rest I know a few ways I can help?" I shrug off his hand, the sharp movement jarring my ribs and increasing my heartrate beyond what I thought to be possible. I try to make my way back out of the shop , better to meet my brothers' disapproval then this guys cock, but before I can his hand latches onto my wrist - "looking like that I wouldn't be surprised if you've not got something hidden under that hoody, I think I'd better give you a pat down..."

He's suddenly dragged away from me and I glimpse Kieran's scowl before I'm pulled into Lucas's embrace. I don't even realise I'm shaking until he sits me down on a nearby bench and murmurs instructions on how to breathe again in my ear. 

"Did he hurt you sweetie? Don't worry Kieran will teach him better manners - I swear him nor no one else will hurt you bambina" I try to tell him I'm sorry and thank you and I'm sorry but the words still refuse to come out so I lean back into his arms. He seems to get the message as he kisses my head and we sit there in our own little bubble of silence until Kieran comes back.

"Ho avuto a che fare con lui non ti preoccupare. Le ha fatto del male?" (I dealt with him don't worry. did he hurt her?) he asks but notices me rubbing my wrist and doesn't wait for a reply before pulling the sleeve up. Anger covers his already pissed off face and I quickly pull my arm back before he can analyse the rope burn running across it. He shares a look with Lucas and together they guide me back out in the car to go home, acknowledging that they'll deal with it later.