Page 5 of Born Savage

“I’m on it,” Eve responds quickly.

“Thanks, sugar. Make sure you save a few minutes for me later,” he adds. I know he’s been sleeping with her. She seems to be his favorite lately, which is slightly gross, since she’s only a few years older than me and I’m pretty sure she’s been with at least two other club members.

“Scarlett,” he says my name and I lift my head, using my hand to block the sun.

“Yeah, Dad?” I question.

“It might get a little wild tonight. You probably want to eat an early dinner and then settle in your room for the night,” he suggests, but I know it’s really a request.

“Got it,” I answer. I’ve walked in on a few parties and definitely seen some things I wish I could unsee.

“What if she wants to come to the party? She might want to welcome the new boy too,” Eve laughs playfully and I almost break my neck as my head snaps back around to see Dad’s reaction.

I watch him lean over and lift her chin, staring into her face. “She’s an adult. She’s free to attend if she wants, but I’m pretty sure she’s not interested in seeing the show.”

“And what show would that be?” she breathes and it’s clear that this has turned into some kind of sexual build up between the two of them.

“This smart mouth better find me later,” he says, running his thumb over her lips and I gag. Attending the party is definitely out of the question.

* * *

I pretty much have my own private section of the clubhouse. I guess you can call it a bonus of growing up as the club president’s only daughter. The men here have always felt like uncles or extra older brothers, but Dad wanted me to have a safe space with a door to lock whenever I felt the need.

Even at a distance, with my door locked, I can hear the faint sound of music coming from the party. Jealousy tingles softly in my chest. I’ve gone through phases like this before, and tonight it seems to be hitting differently. It’s unfair that my brother has been going to these parties since he was a teenager, but I’m here, sitting alone in my room. Sure, they claim that it’s my choice, but that’s not at all how it feels. And as much as I want to have thefreedom to make the choice, I’m honestly not sure I could handle it.

I lay back, relaxing into my pillows, as I scroll through Netflix. It’s quiet and dark in my room, other than the light from the TV. I’m hoping to find something to watch that will take my mind off of the party raging out in the clubhouse.

The sound of shattering glass lifts me from my bed. Shit. I must’ve forgotten to lock the outer door. Usually, Dad will check it before the party starts, but he must’ve missed it too. I love all the guys like family, but I’m not in the mood to deal with their drunkenness tonight.

My feet pad lightly towards my bedroom door and I press my ear against it, trying to listen for noise in the hallway. It’s hard to make out, but it’s definitely the muffled sound of crying. I unlock the door and pull it open, peeking my head out.

Broken glass covers the floor, along with some type of liquid. I find Mara’s small frame crumpled on the floor. She’s leaning forward against her knees and her wavy brown hair hangs, covering her face. A sob breaks from her chest and her body shakes.

“Mara?” I approach softly.

“I’m sorry. I broke my glass,” she looks up at me with red eyes and tear stained cheeks.

“That’s really not worth crying about. I can get this mess cleaned up, if you want to go back out to the party and get a fresh drink,” I offer, wondering just how drunk she is that she’s bawling about a spilled drink.

“Nooo,” she cries before burying her head again.

“Mara, what’s wrong?” I move closer, dropping into a squat beside her. It’s clear that something else is going on here.

“Sonny,” her voice breaks and I already know. She caught him with someone else. My fucking brother.

“Come on into my room,” I offer, putting my arm around her and helping her stand. “I’ll get this mess cleaned up and get you some water and Tylenol. You can sleep in my room tonight,” I tell her.

After helping her get settled, I tend to the mess in the hallway. Luckily, it only takes a few minutes to sweep up the glass and soak up the alcohol. Mara’s tears seem to have calmed by the time I step back into my room.

“He told me he was going to use the bathroom and then grab a drink at the bar. I was dancing and it took me a while to realize that he never came back. I went to look for him, but when I knocked on the bathroom door, he yelled ‘go away’. And then I heard them. They were moaning and…” her voice cracks and the tears start rolling again. “I opened the door. He didn’t even have the decency to lock it. He was with Destiny. She was on the edge of the sink and she looked right at me with a big smile on her face. His head was between her legs,” she cries.

My face is hot with rage. My brother is such an asshole, and now I have to deal with the fallout. Not that I mind consoling Mara, because she’s sweet, definitely too sweet for Sonny. But why should I have to clean up after him, again. It’s a pattern with him. He acts like he wants to commit and within weeks they’re crying to me about him cheating.

I stand from the edge of the bed, my fists clenched at my sides. Before I know what’s happening, I’m marching towards the party.

Stepping into the room, my eyes go wide at the sight. There are too many things going on right now that I don’t need or want to see. I force myself to look past them. Sonny is easy enough to find, leaning against the bar talking to Miles and nursing a beer, seeming not to have a care in the world. I stomp a path in his direction.

“Whoa, little sis. What are you doing out here…and wearing that?” his eyebrows raise. I’m suddenly very aware that I’m in my pajamas, but I don’t let it stop me.

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