The Society

by Michelle Brown

  Leaning back in the uncomfortable plastic chair, I wait for him to go, for him to tell me what they want so badly they will try to tempt fate. Clearing his throat, he tosses down a stack of photos taken from the venue’s camera system. Glancing down at them, I look back at him, my stare never wavering, “What do you want a cookie? Bravo, you know how to collect photographs from a security system.” Pointing at one particular image, I follow his finger and see Quinn leaving the hallway minutes before the crowd is there finding Katy’s body. I don’t let my unease show, instead, I act as if I’m bored and calmly say the word lawyer.

  Tossing my phone on the table that was taken when I got here, the one detective taps the table and sighs, “I don’t think she did it, but unless we find someone else to pin it on… She’s going down for murder.” Waiting for them to leave, I don’t call instead I send out a text to my attorney, police station Quinn and Sebastian. My phone rings a minute later, his name lighting up my screen, “Give me five. Don’t speak to anyone.” Hanging up the phone, it’s not a full five minutes later when they are walking through the door, my attorney behind them and next to him is Quinn. She doesn’t look shaken, instead she looks like the Raynor she is, poised, powerful, and unfazed her surroundings.

  Climbing into the car behind her, I tuck her under my arm and hold her as Mason explains what they are attempting to do. “They are working the angle that Ms. Raynor killed the Drake girl because she was a jealous lover. They can’t prove anything, but they are trying. I don’t care if you did, Ms. Raynor, I’ll have this taken care of by morning either way,” he does on and on. Turning around in the passenger seat, he hands me a piece of paper. Glancing at it, I sigh as Quinn sits up, our marriage certificate paperwork. It’s only missing our signatures and those of our witnesses. “Get married. Tonight. All you need is to scribe your names, and I’ll handle the rest. You can’t testify against your spouse and right now, that’s what we will use to keep you both out of jail.”

  Parking outside of my home, Quinn and I jump out and make our way up the steps, “Happy wedding day,” I quip. Sighing, she stops at the base of the stairs leading up to my room and reaches into the pocket of my slacks retrieving a pen, quickly signing her name to the paper. “Happy wedding day, Seb,” she mutters as she makes her way up to my room. Reading over the certificate, I scribble my own name. I’ll give her the wedding of her dreams once this is over with. Calling Julianna and another maid into the office, I slide the paper to them, “Sign, please.”

  Chapter Nine

  Quinn

  It’s not the wedding I dreamed about, it’s not even the day I would have chosen. Regardless I am now, Penelope Quinn Johnson, and I hadn’t even made him sign the prenup that had been sitting on my vanity for months. I wasn’t even sorry for that; I hadn’t wanted the damn thing in the first place. I trusted Sebastian, even if he shouldn’t trust me. Slipping out of my gown, I lay it across the chair and step into the shower. I needed to wash away the filth of the night, and the memories of her scared eyes.

  The door opens and I feel the cold air mix with the heat of the water just before his arms wrap around my waist turning me to him. “Are you alright?” Sebastian questions, his hands roaming my naked and soapy body. Nodding, I move closer to him, “I will be. I don’t want to talk about her on our wedding night. I want you to make love to your wife.” Lathering his body, he watches as I rinse the soap off myself and leave him standing alone. It’s not long before he joins me in the bedroom, both of us naked and hungry for each other.

  Laying on the bed, I look at him as he moves towards me. It’s like a cat-and-mouse game, me waiting to be attack all while he stalks his prey. Kissing up my legs, he stops as he flicks my clit with his tongue. It’s almost punishing as he works my body, his fingers push inside of me and my back bows off the bed as I moan. Slipping them out of me, he brings them to his mouth, sucking them clean. Nipping at my skin as he moves up, he groans when he starts to thrust inside.

  “Condom,” I say just before he sinks completely into me.

  Glaring at me while he pulls back just to drive in harder than before, Sebastian bites at my neck punctuating every word, “Why? Has someone else had a taste of my pussy?”

  Shaking my head, I gasp as he hits that spot no one else ever has. “No,” I lie. I can tell he knows in that moment, as he speeds up his movements, going harder and harder until both of us are covered in sweat. Groaning, he comes, and it spirals my own orgasm.

  “You’re my wife now, I don’t care what happened before,” he tells me as he gets up. “Just know that I won’t sit on the sidelines if you cheat again. You didn’t know the truth about Katy, and I hurt you. That’s done, from now on it’s us and them.” Nodding, I move towards the bathroom in order to clean myself. The pounding on the bedroom door startling me. “Sebastian Clay! Get your ass out here and bring Quinn with you!” his father yells through the door. Quickly cleaning myself, I throw on the tee shirt and shorts Sebastian hands me.

  Walking hand in hand into Nathaniel’s office, I keep my head high as I take in the surrounding company. The room is filled with our parents, and lawyers. It has me on edge, as I move to sit in one of the waiting chairs. Sebastian halts my movements, pulling me into his lap, he’s making a stand against them in his own way. A chuckle comes from his father at us as we wait for someone to speak. “Married. Without either prenup signed. What were you thinking Penelope?” my mother shouts from across the room. Holding up his hand, Sebastian levels her with a glare, “Vanessa, that’s enough of the yelling. That’s my wife you are speaking to. You will treat her with the fucking respect she deserves.” He doesn’t raise his voice, his words controlled, and leaving no room for her to argue.

  Clearing my throat, I look around the room before I speak, “We may have rushed into things by signing the paper, however, terms of the marriage should have been discussed years ago when you all set this in motion. We won’t sign them now, it’s too late for that anyhow.” I pause to catch my breath as they mutter to themselves, “We need to figure out what can be done with our current issue, the death of Katy Drake. Someone killed her, and right now it looks like I did, what are we doing about it?”

  Sebastian’s attorney steps forward and I’m shocked they let him speak at all after what he presented us earlier, “It’s already handled, they can’t touch either of you and they know it. Accidental fall, she slipped on her dress, broke a heel, and cracked her head open.” Opening up his briefcase, he hands us both contracts, “Updated contracts for the nuptial agreements. Once you sign, I’ll file them.”

  Reading it over, I laugh at all the bullshit they have included, the traditional split should we divorce, and our current trust funds being ours alone, I almost miss the added in section regarding any and all heirs we produce and they should be produced within five years. Any female heirs will be named after the Raynor line in order to maintain our family name, and any males should marry inside of the Society families only. If either of us were to die, our assets are property of the surviving party, and if we kill each other, it goes to the surviving parties family. The whole point being that once we sign his family can kill me and collect everything. Looking at Sebastian, I toss the contract on the table, “Fuck you. I’m not signing, and if I don’t, then it’s void.” Sebastian mimics me, his contract landing on top of mine as he pats my leg, “You know where we will be. Goodnight everyone, don’t take this the wrong way, or do, but I hope not to see any of you in the morning.”

  Chapter Ten

  Sebastian

  It’s been weeks since Katy died, Quinn has been busy planning our official wedding celebration, our schoolmates and friends unaware that we tied the knot in the middle of the night. Ever since that night, Quinn and I have made love and when I’ve been pissed at something fucked in every room of my father’s house.

  I haven’t been alone with Devin since I saw him at the hotel, a small mercy as I get used to being a married man. Following him into the security office,
“I can’t believe you would do that to me, Devin!” I shout unable to curb my anger any longer.

  “You would’ve done the same thing if it was you. In fact, if I recall correctly, you have done the exact same thing, yet you’re giving me the third degree,” Devin responds.

  “You slept with Quinn,” I hiss, barely containing the urge to hit him.

  “What’s your problem? You weren’t even interested in her until recently. It was a one time thing!” Devin counters.

  “That’s not the point, Devin. It’s bad enough that Quinn was being accused of killing Katy, when I know she wouldn’t have done that, but then you had to go and sleep with her too? What else are you hiding, Dev?” I demand.

  “Who was accusing her of anything? Look, I don’t get why you’re so upset about me and Quinn. Up until a week ago, you were banging the other girl. Is it my fault she came crying to me? I’m not sure what she told you, but for the record, she was the one who came on to me. I just didn’t say no,” Devin responds his grin smug.

  “You’re a dick, Dev,” I spit back.

  “Why? Because I didn’t say no to Quinn when she threw herself at me? Like I’m going to turn down sex when it’s offered to me by a girl as gorgeous as she is,” he states. I lose it. Punching Devin in the jaw with enough force to knock him off balance, I move closer, getting right in Devin’s face. “Don’t you ever touch her again.”

  Storming out of the room, I let out a frustrated groan as I look at my knuckles. I can’t let it get to me anymore, it’s done and there’s nothing I can do to change it now, I remind myself. I’ve barely made it into the kitchen before my father calls my name, “Sebastian, follow me.” Like a dog, I do what I’m asked, it infuriated me how he controls everyone around him, he would try it with Quinn if he thought she would listen. My wife is stubborn, she even has an appointment scheduled for birth control just to piss The Society off. Rounding the corner, I stop in the doorway to his office as I catch sight of the attorney my father keeps on his payroll. “I just need your signature Mr. Johnson, accepting ownership of the family business should something happen to your father.”

  Motioning for me to sign, my father pours himself a glass of amber liquid, Bourbon, his favorite drink. Quickly looking over the paperwork for any loopholes, I sign my name across the page, “What about Devin?” Scoffing he turns to me and rests against his desk, “Devin doesn’t know how to run this company. He’s good with computers but he doesn’t have the personality for the other things. Now that you are married, it’s time you take on more. Be ready to leave in three hours, we have a business dinner in the city.” Nodding, I leave the room and shoot Quinn a text delaying our date night for the next day.

  The time passes, forms upon forms being shoved at me in every direction from the Human Resources department head. I don’t understand my father’s rush in everything, nor do I want to. Letting Devin know that I need to meet with him soon, I pull on my jacket and climb into the black SUV. The dinner goes by painfully slow, the man from a business in Red River. It’s not far away, and I know I’ve heard of the town before, yet I can’t place it. Shaking hands with the men, we leave and head home. Pulling into our driveway, I look around for Quinn’s car, but don’t see it. She must still be with Harlyn, I think to myself as I glance at my watch.

  Chapter Eleven

  Quinn

  I didn’t go home after my appointment; I left Harlyn at her house and drove around for hours. The shock of the news still holds me captive. Pregnant. I want children, Sebastian does too, or at least I hoped he did. Stopping at the local craft fair, I blended in with the nobodies of Silvercrest, for once glad that hardly anyone knew me. As I walked through the booths, I felt like someone was watching me, and it set me on high alert, if they knew who I was, would they take me, or would they leave me be? Meeting the smiling face of a vendor, I pause and purchase one thing, a children’s stuffed animal. It’s an elephant, the thing bigger than my head, but I don’t care.

  The hand on my arm causes me to stop as I move away from the smiling woman, “Don’t you think Katy would have loved a place like this?” Looking at the man, I try to place him, wondering how he knows anything about her. “Detective,” my tone is short, and I narrow my eyes until he moves his hand.

  “I know you did it. I could prove it too, if your family hadn’t paid off someone to cover it up,” he accuses. Clicking my tongue, I pat his shoulder, “Oh, I wish you could find her killer. I’m scared I could be next, you know since you couldn’t do your job and he got away with it.”

  I almost want him to react, to hurt me in some way, my conscious guilty of wanting her dead. “I’m watching you Ms. Raynor,” he snaps. Leaning into him, I whisper, “It’s Mrs. Johnson, and if you want to keep your job, you would do well to remember who the fuck I am.”

  Sebastian

  I haven’t told anyone that Quinn is pregnant, not until after my father’s death. It signified her place as the matriarch of the Johnson family. Honestly, as both a Raynor and a Johnson, she was the most powerful female in our society, and she didn’t have to do a thing to earn the respect.

  The guards had called me moments ago from the guard post to let me know my mother had arrived, demanding they listen to her as she was still Nathaniel’s wife. Too bad for her they didn’t work for him anymore, not since he was dead at my brother’s hands. Sitting back in the chair, I wait for her to walk into the house. I don’t wait long before I hear the click of her heels on the marble floor. Stepping out of the office, I motion for her to follow me.

  I warned her not to come back, and my father’s funeral isn’t a reason to show her face no matter what she thinks. “Josephine,” I bite out. Tears well up in her eyes, threatening to fall, but they won’t, she’s not that kind of woman, “Sebastian.”

  I watch the confusion flash on Devin’s face as he follows us to the office. “Sit down Josephine,” I command and she listens, just like the bitch she is. “Pretty sure I said never come back, or there would be consequences,” she opens her mouth to speak, I don’t let her, however. Her words mean nothing to me, and from the look on Devin’s face he’s more curious than anything. He thought dad killed her, believed it all these years when I knew the truth. Not even dad was sure where she disappeared to.

  “Sebastian, listen. I needed to be here for this. Just give me the weekend and I’ll leave again,” she begs.

  Unlike my ten-year-old self, I don’t believe in rainbows and butterflies, I sure as shit don’t believe her. Shaking my head, I pull out the gun that my father kept in his desk drawer, “You have exactly ten minutes to leave or you won’t be coming back. There isn’t a blackmail option this time, your punishment is death.” Devin’s eyebrows raise in shock at my actions, yet he doesn’t say a word in her defense. “When did you get to be so heartless?” Josephine whispers. Leaning towards her, I smile, “The day I caught you fucking Carver Brooks.”

  “Oh god,” she whispers, realization on her face that I’m not bluffing. Laughing, I reach into the desk drawer and pull out the gun my father shot Devin with, “God won’t help you.” It seems fitting that she would die by the same one, only the other Johnson son turning on her.

  About Michelle Brown

  Michelle writes in multiple genres such as Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Horror Fiction, and many more. She lives in a small town located in North Carolina, USA. A wife and mother, she writes stories that will break your heart only to put it back together again, just a bit bloodier. Michelle also co-writes with a close friend under the pen name Ally Michelle.

  Follow the author here: https://linktr.ee/MBrown

  Other Books by Michelle Brown

  Blood & Roses

  In Pieces Duet

  In Plain Sight by Ally Michelle

  Chapter One

  Winston Asher Harrington

  My fingers strum nervously atop the worn pine table. Its surface scarred from what I imagine is years of individuals pleading innocent and spewing obscenities at a fatig
ued agent on the opposite side, unaffected by the outburst.

  Innocent until proven guilty is what they always say.

  Except in my case, I am guilty.

  No matter how much I try to forget, the memory of what I've done consumes me, and the only way to overcome this burden is to turn myself in. I realize the consequences could mean prison time. But it's better than spending an eternity with this weight on my shoulders.

  So here I sit, waiting.

  I've memorized every scuff, crack, and imperfection on the four dingy white walls of this temporary cage while avoiding the elephant in the room, a two-way mirror. It tempts me like a scantily clad teenage girl in a high school classroom.

  I know they're watching. They're always watching. But if I give in, taking even the slightest glance, they'll see right through my façade. Instead, I focus on a red splotch no bigger than a pencil eraser and let my mind wander. Is it blood? DNA left by a stranger who sat in this very chair and stared at the same four white walls? Or is it something less impressive, like ink from a marker? I shrug to myself, arching my back slightly.

  Hours have passed since they brought me in, and my spine aches from years of proper etiquette training. Ingrained in my mind from the tender age of six, if I slouch even the slightest, my muscles tense preparing for a belt while the bold voice of my father rings in my ears. "Sit up straight."

  He's dead now, and I'm not going to waste my thoughts on him, but his discipline will forever live on in the deepest part of my brain.