Page 5 of Mason
Like we’d planned, Mason steps in. “Your daddies paid a metric fuck ton of money for you to be here, to have the advantages we, as part of this brotherhood, have. Advantages that extend beyond graduation that you’ll have for the rest of your would-otherwise-be-pathetic lives. However…” He pauses for effect—fuckin’ Mason is nothing if not dramatic. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve automatically earned the right to call yourself one of the Bastards of Bainbridge Hall just yet. As you may or may not be aware, you’ll go through what we call a probationary period where you’ll be tested at every turn.” He nods to Bear, who steps up. It’s comical to watch all three sets of eyes drift up another four inches, taking in Bear’s height. If I didn’t know him better, I might be intimidated, too.
His low voice comes out full of gravel. “Obedience. Loyalty. And the ability to keep your mouth shut about anything that goes down here. That’s what we’re demanding of you. If you’re told to do something, you fuckin’ do it. No questions. You will level up, earning various privileges throughout this period. A few examples are access to the code for the alarm system so you can come and go as you please”—he catches Lennon’s gaze and gives a little shake of his head—“eating with the brotherhood, attendance at events, etcetera, as we go through this probationary period. Prove to us you’re worth our while and you’ll be golden. Should you demonstrate that you’re capable, then you’ll one day make it to full-fledged brotherhood status.”
The kid with the white-blond hair has been listening intently, but I can see questions pushing their way to the surface.
I point at him. “Go ahead. I can tell you’re curious about something.”
“Um, so what kinds of things are we talking about?” He huffs a little. “I’m not saying I won’t do it but knowing what to expect would help.”
Mason snorts, staring stonily at the kid. Slowly, he enunciates the answer, dumbing it down for the guy. “Any. Fucking. Thing.” One dark brow arches on his forehead. “Got it?”
When he’s met by wide, nervous eyes, Mason shakes his head. “You’re never going to hack it being a scared little pussy.” Glancing at Bear and me, Mason’s lips curve into an awful grin. “How about we give them an introduction to what’s coming?” Both of us nod in agreement, so he juts his chin toward the door. “Go get me a beer from the fridge, kid.”
The guy blinks, and I step forward and clap my hands right in front of his face. “Dude. Did you hear Mason? He wants a fuckin’ beer.Fetch.”
As if I’ve bodily shaken him awake, he inhales sharply then jumps up and hurries out of the room.
Bear’s gaze swings toward the other new guy. “What’s your name?”
“Arik.”
Taking longer than necessary to look him over, Bear finally grunts his approval. “Good. Come here, Arik.”
This one isn’t messing around. He stands right away and crosses the space between us, then waits for instruction. Arik might have what it takes. He’s got guts. He hasn’t looked away from the intense stare down at all. Bear folds his arms, sizing him up, then briefly nods at the spot beside him on the floor. “Down and gimme twenty. And make ’em good.”
Fortunately, this newb looks like he might be able to handle twenty push-ups, even when Bear puts his foot on his back and applies a good amount of pressure. Arik groans, but only pauses for a moment before he gets to it.
Pulling my focus from the push-up party, I meet Lennon’s defiant eyes. My lips curve into a goading grin, and I crook my finger at her. She blows out a hard breath, but gets up from her spot on the couch, then lifts a brow in question as she calmly folds her arms over her chest. I point toward a table at the side of the room which has several decanters of alcohol. “Go pour a shot of the Patron over there. It’s on the far right.”
Her brow furrows, and she gives me a perturbed smile before she saunters over there. “Yes, sir,” she throws over her shoulder.
A roll of laughter moves through the room… but she won’t be laughing in a sec. Not if I have anything to say about it.
Just then, the kid who must be Quincy jets into the room with Mason’s requested bottle of beer, handing it off to him before he reclaims his seat. Mason shoots me a wink, then tips the bottle to his lips, downing half the beer in one go. “I fuckin’ love grunts.”
Meanwhile, Arik completes his push-up challenge and waits in plank position until Bear eases his foot off his back. The kid stands and after checking with Bear—nothing like starting off with a little ass kissing—he returns to his seat as well, in time to watch Lennon cross the room to me with the shot. She holds it out, but I slowly shake my head.
Her brows draw together, and I watch as it dawns on her that it’s not me she’s poured the shot for.
“Drink up, Stella Bella.”
“But I don’t like tequila.” Her face blanches.
Mason leans close. “Had a bad experience?”
She shrugs, chewing on her lip as she eyes the liquid in the shot glass and wrinkles her nose. “Maybe.”
I take a few seconds to consider, but it’s best she learns this lesson right now. “Unlike the others, you aren’t allowed to leave the house, walk away. We won’t ever kick you out because for whatever reason, it’s been deemed you stay.” I pause, rubbing my hand over my clean-shaven jaw. “So, if you want me to make this worse for you, I will.”
Lennon looks like she’s going to vomit without ever drinking the tequila.
A hush falls over the room. Leave it to Tucker, though, to give the rest of the brotherhood a confused look before he smirks and throws out, “If she doesn’t want to drink it, do a body shot off her—” He interrupts himself with a quick snort. “Unless you think she’d like it too much. But hell, you could make her take off her shirt in front of us to do it. Maybe that’d—”
“Shut your fucking mouth, Tucker. You have zero say in it.” My stern face has him holding up his hands in front of him, theforget I saidanythingclear on his stupid fucking face. I take a step closer to my stepsister, glaring at her, ready to take action if she doesn’t comply. “Do as you’re fuckin’ told.”
Lennon draws in one unsteady breath, then another before meeting my eyes with boldness in hers. She lifts the glass to her lips and throws the shot back. I can visibly see how it hits her as it slides down her throat. Her entire body shudders, revolted by the taste, but to her credit, she did as I requested. Spinning toward the rest of the brotherhood, she gives them an eye roll. “I’d much rather drink it myself than let my stepbrother suck liquor from my belly button or tits. Thanks, though.” With that, she stalks back to the couch and plops down between the other two pledges, amid more hushed whispering. She looks straight ahead, her eyes burning twin holes into me.
My jaw twitches as I watch her with interest. “That’s it, everyone. Head upstairs—rooms are assigned, just look for yours, your names are on Post-it Notes on the doors. The three of you have two hours to unpack and settle in. Everyone else is free to go for the time being. Meet on the pool patio at eight sharp.” I roll my lips into my mouth for a moment, knowing I’ve got a bit more to do before I can relax for a while. “Lennon, hold here for a moment, we need to discuss which room to put you in, along with a few other points of business.”
