Painful Consequences (7 page)

She thought of Reed as she slowly stroked the braid that rested on her chest. He was smart, funny, boyishly charming, and had a strong, secure manner about him that made her feel safe and protected. He was also incredibly handsome and made her tingle whenever he looked at her. She had lied to her brother. It wasn’t his lack of money which kept her distanced from Reed. No, it was the fact that once he really got to know her and could see how worthless she was, she knew that he would grow bored and dump her. Just like every other decent man she had been around. Including her father.

She fought back tears as she thought of Carmen Wallace. As much as she fought with him, she loved him deeply and always felt that she could never compete with the things most important to him—his business and his social status. It was as though he was too big to see the little girl who craved his undivided attention and desperately desired his approval and acceptance. Yes,
big
was just the word to describe him. He was larger than life in everything. His bankroll, his home, his business, his voice, and even his size. His friends used to tease him that the Red Sea parted because one of Carmen’s ancestors shoved Moses aside and glared, daring the water to disobey. To make things even more difficult for the father and daughter was that Brittany had inherited her father’s temperament and had not learned the fine art of finesse when it came to talking to him. Then again, she never had too. She would simply scream, throw a fit, and get whatever she wanted.

“Thanks, Dad. You turned me into a total bitch and then got rid of me because I finally stood up to you,” she grumbled, glancing at a picture of their parents hanging in the hallway next to several frames of her with her brothers as children. She missed the times when she and her father got along as she looked at the picture of him pushing her on a swing when she was five-years-old. She had been happy way back then. What had happened?

“Reed’s here, Britt! Move your butt and get down here!” Brett demanded.

“Hey, Britt, you look pretty. How was the rest of your day?” Reed asked kindly, kissing her cheek.

Brittany shrugged. “As eventful as it could be. I sat in my room and looked out the window once I was dropped off this morning. I discovered that I could not will the birds to come to my windowsill and there were no handsome princes coming to rescue me from my golden cage.”

“You spend too much time watching Disney movies about neglected princesses,” he chuckled. “I am pleased that you decided to obey your brother and follow your restriction. Good girl, I’m proud of you.”

“I’m not a child, Reed,” Brittany snarled, not letting him see that his praise pleased her. “And it is very disturbing that you know about Disney princesses and what they do when they are locked away in their towers by wicked brothers. As for being obedient, I just didn’t want to hear any more boring lectures.”

“Hmm, I understand. I assure you that the time for lectures is soon ending, so have no fear. Did you eat?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Well, I am. We’ll stop at the deli on the way.”

* * *

Reed watched Brittany throughout the meeting that evening. She attempted to engage a little, but then shut herself off when Kraus reprimanded her for being an immature, naive snob. Her eyes flashed angrily, and she finally told him to go to hell.

“Little girl, let me tell you one thing. I’ve been to hell. In fact, I’m living in hell right now. If I had someone tell me to grow up and get my head out of my ass when I was your age, then I wouldn’t be here today listening to you shine about how hard you have it. I would have made something useful out of my life instead of destroying everything in my path. Brett, you need to take this kid home and give her a good walloping! Maybe if she can’t sit on her fat ass for a while, she’ll think twice before opening her damn mouth!” Kraus yelled.

“Enough, dude. You’re pissing off the cops,” another man said, eyeing both Brett and Reed as Brittany fought back humiliated tears. Kraus had hit her weak spots, and it hurt deeply.

“Too bad. They know I’m telling the truth, don’t you, boys? Neither of you are doing this kid any favors by coddling her. It seems she’s already had a lifetime of that, and look at where it got her.”

“Brett, sit. Kraus, you may be right, but there are proper ways of speaking your opinion without being insulting. Brittany isn’t the only one here who’s struggling with problems, so don’t go picking on her as she’s starting to open up,” Reed reprimanded.

“I’m not picking on her. I’m trying to get her to see that if she doesn’t take some responsibility for herself, then she’s going to be as fucked up as I am. Damn it, Reed!” Kraus’ face was red with anger, “If I had gotten my shit together when I was her age, I might still have my daughter!”

“You had a daughter? You never said anything,” one man said quietly.

Kraus glared at him hatefully. “No, I did not because she’s dead. I got into a wreck driving her home from a school dance because I was loaded. She would have been 25 this month. Happy?”

The room was still. While it was not unusual for things to be exposed during closed meetings, this news was a hard pill to swallow. Brittany bit her lip and stood. She silently walked over to the weeping man and slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll try harder. I don’t want to hurt my family like this. Or my friends.” Brittany said softly. “You’re right. You’re all right,” she said to the room, avoiding looking in Reed’s direction. “I screwed up my life today because of my drug use and hurt my brother and our friend. I need to stop this ugly cycle. And I need a lot of help.”

“You’re too special to be anything other than spectacular, little girl. I’m a mean old bastard, but I don’t want to attend your funeral,” Kraus said to her with red eyes.

She kissed his rough cheek. “Nor I yours. I’ll need all of you to get me through this, and I promise that I'll do as best as I can.”

Reed glanced at Brett as the men gathered around the only female member of their group, accepting her in as one of their own with lavish promises to assist her as they could. Brittany smiled brightly, feeling like she, at last, found a place to fit in. She caught Reed’s eye and flashed him a special smile. He frowned. It wasn't a smile, it was a smirk.
Told you so
, it said.

Brett elbowed his friend as he gestured towards his sister. “Looks like she found a way to weasel some support, huh?”

“You caught it too? I thought I was just being suspicious. I gather this is her M.O.”

“Yup. It worked on Dad for years until he finally had to put a stop to it by throwing her out. She was threatening his business with her activity.”

“He tossed her out instead of helping her?” Reed questioned.

Brett shrugged. “You know as well as I do that you can only help an addict if they want it. Personally, after I thought about it, he was helping her by cutting her off. It sent her our way. Reed?”

“Yeah, buddy?” Reed watched the girl flirt with the men as they shared their AA wisdom.

“Be careful. Don’t let her play you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“What do you mean?”

“Britt’s my sister. I love her. But I also know that she has a belief system that might not include the likes of men like us.”

“Cops?”

“No. Not rolling in money. She seems to think she needs to marry rich to be happy. Her self-esteem is so low that she believes she only has her looks to put out as an offer for a husband.”

“That’s bullshit.” Reed looked again at the girl as she forced a laugh. “What she needs is a strong hand to guide her and faith to help her reach her potential.”

“I agree. That and a good walloping, to coin a phrase,” Brett sighed.

“Again, the strong hand. Don’t you worry about it. She will get what she needs to see the seriousness of her predicament. Let’s close the meeting before she thinks she’s in control.”

As was their habit, the three went to the diner after the meeting was over. The men ordered their coffee and pie while Brittany sipped ice tea. She was quiet, thinking about some of the stuff that had been shared.

“You’re awfully quiet. What’s on your mind?” Brett asked, elbowing his sister.

“I was just thinking about Kraus. You would never have known that the old geezer had a family once.”

“That old geezer was mayor of his town back in Ohio,” Reed commented.

“He also had a law degree and was a partner in a successful firm when he moved out here to LA,” Brett added. “He was disbarred and fired after the accident. His wife divorced him immediately.”

“To top it off, he was so depressed that he drank himself numb. One night, he left the stove on and burned his house down. He literally lost everything,” Reed finished. “It doesn’t take much to get that line of destruction going, Britt. We’ll talk more tonight. Let’s get outta here. I don’t want us to be up too late.”

“I think I got it, Reed. I’ve heard enough to last me a lifetime,” Britt yawned.

“Trust me, it won’t kill you to hear a little more,” Reed responded, standing.

Brittany rolled her eyes. “That’s what you think,” she muttered under her breath as she followed the two men to the car.

“Hello, Harry. How’s my favorite boy? Your face is filthy. What have you been eating?” Brittany asked, heading straight for the meowing bird. Harry ruffled his feathers and climbed onto her shoulder, rubbing against her hair as he wiped off his beak that was covered with seed husks.

“Do I have to start meowing to get that kind of attention? Or not wipe my face every time I eat?” Reed asked, putting his keys and wallet away.

“Maybe. You certainly ruffle your feathers enough.”

“Are you calling me a birdbrain?”

“If the shoe fits…”

“Sit down, brat. Do you want anything?”

“Just for you to finish your stupid lecture, so that we can make out. I need me some serious lovin' tonight. Maybe a bit more than just kissin'?” Brittany asked in a sultry tone as she sent a seductive smile his way.

Reed felt his manhood stir, remembering the warning that Brett had sent his way. He cleared his throat, “We will not be doing any of that tonight, young lady. I am in official sponsor capacity. By the way, nice show.”

“What do you mean by that?” Brittany asked heatedly as he sat across from her and leaned his elbows on his knees to study her face.

“Getting the group to rally around you. Oldest trick in the book when you want to manipulate people.”

“I’m not manipulating anyone. They’re nice.”

“I saw the smirk, little one. I also specialize in getting answers from people who don’t like to give them. Most people talk more with their bodies than with their mouths, anyway.”

“You never seem to stop talking with your mouth, Reed. Whatever happened to the strong and silent type?”

“I’m going to be very silent tonight. You will be the one making noise this time.”

“Pardon me?”

“Follow me. I want to show you something.” Reed stood up and walked to the back door. Brittany put Harry on his perch and followed, looking bored. They ventured into the well-lit back yard and stood in front of the small workshop. Reed opened the door and gently pushed Brittany inside as he flipped on the light.

“What is this place?” she asked, looking around. It was clean, with a carpeted floor, a large wooden chair, a sawhorse and a wooden cabinet with several drawers.

“Have you ever heard of a woodshed, Britt?”

“Yeah. It’s where people store wood and do wood working stuff, duh. So?”

“The back area of this little workshop is where I keep all my tools and equipment. This front section is my woodshed. A woodshed was a place where, back in the day, delinquent children were taken to be disciplined. Far away from the main house where the family couldn’t hear them cry.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I…” Brittany suddenly paled, understanding Reed’s statement. “No way, mister! You are not going to punish me!”

“Quite the contrary, that is exactly what I am going to do. Did you remotely even stop to consider that fact that had you tested positive, you could go to jail? You are on a probationary period, and you blew it.”

“You can’t!”

“Brett and I decided that we would, if you would pardon the expression, take the law into our own hands. You will face the consequences of your choices tonight, Miss Wallace. Let’s get started. I want you to bend over that sawhorse and get that bottom high in the air.”

“I will do no such thing!” Brittany exclaimed adamantly, turning to leave.

Reed blocked her path and calmly locked the door. He placed the key high out of Brittany’s reach. “You will comply. I am going to make certain that you think twice before you smoke again.”

“I’ll press charges for assault if you lay one finger on me! I swear I will!” Brittany threatened as he slowly approached her, backing her into a corner. He pressed his hands on either side on the wall and looked down firmly into her angry eyes.

“Once again, get your terms straight. When I spank you, it is battery, not assault. Would you seriously want to expose the fact that you received a good, old-fashioned, bare bottomed spanking to the courtroom?”

“This is non-consensual!” Brittany hissed.

“Would you rather go to jail? I can arrange that immediately.”

“You fuckin’ scumbag!”

“That’s not a nice way to speak to someone who wants to help you. Now, make your decision. Either I discipline you for smoking, or I take you to the station on a probation violation.”

“You can’t do that!”

“Wanna bet?” Reed asked calmly, studying the woman trapped between his arms and the wall. “Well?”

“I want to go home. Let Brett deal with me,” Brittany trembled, her resolve weakening under his powerful gaze.

“Britt, I want to have a relationship with you, and unless I gain your respect, it is not going to happen. This is how things are going to be, so get used to it.”

“I hate you,” Brittany whispered, lower lip quivering.

“I don’t hate you. Believe me, there are other things I would rather be doing with you right now, but to ignore this would only cause you more harm. I care too much for you to allow that,” Reed said in a soft, rumbling voice, wanting to bite and kiss that sweet little trembling lip. “Now obey me. Over the sawhorse.”