Page 31 of Carter

“You don’t know, do you? Of course you don’t—you haven’t yet been inducted.” He gives a sigh, almost of relief. Like it was a good thing that I hadn’t yet been inducted.

“Know what?” I ask.

He gives an exasperated sigh. “Why not, we’ve already broken rules for you.” His eyes cut to mine, and he says, “About the hierarchy.”

His tone is so cold, I felt my hands start to tremble. I clench them together in my lap. Making my voice steady, even, I say, “Please. Enlighten me.”

“When Bronson told Carter he’d spank you, that day, he meant it. Bronson holds total reign over the Village. He uses his discretion—and has never crossed that line, taking another man’s woman into his control. But I think you should know—you were the first he’d considered enacting it for.”

“Am I that bad?” I murmur.

He answers without missing a beat. “Yes.”

I sigh.

He continues, “The hierarchy is in place, in case a Bachman man ever kicks the bucket. We want to be sure every Bachman woman is cared for. Bronson is head of the entire family, but within the family is a hierarchy. And as Carter’s blood brother, if you two were to wed, you would fall under my jurisdiction, should anything happen to Carter. I believe that is why Mary feels such a strong connection to you. She’s always felt like she needed to care for you, like a daughter.”

“She’s not that much older than me,” I say.

“I know. But age doesn’t matter. The hierarchy is what matters.”

The Bachman men hate me. “So you don’t want Carter to marry me, because you don’t want to be stuck with me if something happens to him?” My heart stings. Does no one want me in this family?

He says, “Quite the opposite.”

His answer has my head spinning. I grunt, “Huh?”

“I want you to be with Carter. And I want it to work. As does Mary. As does Carter.”

“Oh.” I have no idea how to respond. This is all news to me.

John says, “But Sasha. You seriously have to stop dicking around now. It’s time to shit or get off the pot. Either you commit to the Bachman way, or you walk. And you need to know—this is your final chance. I know you came to Mary tonight for advice. Which I will let slide—this once. It gives me hope that you want this. Do you?”

I nod, biting my lip.

He says, “Words, Sasha. Big girls use words.”

I ignore his bait, replying genuinely, “Yes, I do.”

“Right. Then take tonight. Commit yourself to this life. And when you and Carter begin tomorrow, do your best.”

I say, “But you know me. What if I mess it up? What if I can’t be… submissive.”

His voice is softer now. Caring, almost. He says, “You can. And Carter will teach you. You just have to do your part—commit to the lifestyle. Sasha⁠—”

“Yes?”

“You’re going to do great, sweetheart.” He smiles and for an instant, I feel bad about my nail print in the leather. He says, “I know someone who used to be a lot like you.”

“Who?” I ask.

He smiles. There’s a faraway look in his eyes. He says, “Mary.”

My brows arch in surprise. I say, “What? She’s the most submissive, docile⁠—”

He raises his brows at me, smirking. “She is now.”

“Oh.” My face burns. I think of the spatula.