Cady Chapter 17

I couldn’t believe what I’d done tonight. To have sex where others could see us was a new experience. When Magnus first began to touch me out on the floor, I’d been nervous and almost told him not to do it, but I was so needy from watching the various scenes, especially the one between Sam and Justine, that I pushed it away and let him. The fact he made me orgasm just by playing with my breasts surprised me and only pushed my desire higher. When he said we should go to a private room, I was all for it. I was desperate to have him inside of me.

As I undressed in the room, I saw the toys. Many of them intrigued me, and I wanted to know what it would be like to play with them. Those thoughts made me burn hotter. Hoss’s dirty talk when we were in the moment made my pulse race. I loved hearing him say those things about me and knowing that I affected him so much.

The relief I felt when he sank into me was unbelievable. I wanted, no, I needed him to take me like a madman. It wasn’t until he got started that I realized I wanted those people out there to be able to see us. To see the passion and even love between us. They needed to see that he was mine, I was his, and how much we loved each other. There was no denying I was in love with Hoss. That’s when I did the deed and asked for the screen to be lowered. I saw his concern, but I was dying to try. I’d never know if I could do it or would like it unless I tried.

His distraction as it lowered was the right move, and I was too into what he was making me feel to care who was watching us. After having an orgasm that made me weak and almost pass out, I couldn’t care less who had witnessed the scene. All I cared about was Hoss.

After he raised the screen, I was treated to the softer, caring side of him. He went into aftercare mode, as he called it. I was reaping the benefits of it right now, but I wanted him to feel cared for, too.

We were in the attached bathroom, which had every convenience. He ran a tub of hot water filled with aromatic bath salts, knowing I liked to soak in a tub rather than take a shower. Before it got too full, I turned off the water. He gave me a puzzled look.

“Is something wrong, babe?”

“No, but that’s enough water for two. We don’t want to flood the bathroom. Come soak with me, Magnus.” I held out my hand.

He took it and brought me close. “Anything for you, Cady. Here, let me help you in first.”

He held my hand to keep me from falling until I was safely seated, and then he got in behind me. His legs had to remain bent, even in this sizable tub, due to his height. It was snug, but I didn’t mind.

“They need to make their tubs bigger for guys like you. This one isn’t bad, but you have to keep your legs up,” I complained as I rubbed my hands up and down his sparsely hair-covered legs.

“They’d have to get them custom-made. That’s what I did for the ones in the house.”

“I figured as much. God, this heat feels good,” I groaned.

“Are you sore? Did I get too carried away?”

I heard the concern in his voice. “Magnus, no, you didn’t get too rough. You’re a big guy, and it does burn when you stretch me. I might get a tiny bit sore, but it’s nothing to worry about. I don’t want you to change how you have sex with me. I’ll let you know if it’s too much. Stop worrying.”

“I don’t ever want it to become too painful. If it does, you have to tell me. And I don’t have sex with you. I make love with you. No matter how wild and dirty we get, it’s done with love, Cady.”

I twisted so I was able to see his face. He had such a serious expression. I smiled at him as I tried to wipe away his frown with my fingers. “Magnus, listen to me. I know you do it with love. It’s what makes it so special. I hope you can tell that I do the same. I adore us wild, but I love it equally as much slow and easy.”

“Thank you, baby,” he said before he kissed me. That kiss began to reawaken my desire. I found with him that I didn’t stay sated for long. I’d never craved a man like I did him. He slowly drew away. I chased his mouth, but he chuckled.

“Let me wash you, then maybe I’ll give you more,” he taunted.

I admit. I whined a little, but he refused to give in. I had to relax and let him touch my entire body. He did it in a way guaranteed to light the fire inside me again. By the time he was done, I was close to attacking him. I decided to let my brat out. I pretended to yawn.

“That was nice,” I said in a bored tone .

“Oh, really.”

“Sure. You’re excused. I think I’ll soak alone and then take a nap. I feel bored,” I added, making sure my disinterested tone was more evident. I knew this would trigger his handler side to come out.

“Are you sure you’re up to what you’re cruising for, Cady Cat?”

“If I thought you could bring it, I might be scared, but I’m not.” I taunted.

“Keep it up and see what happens, brat.”

“I’m weary of this.”

I barely got that out before he was standing. I admit I was distracted by the water running off his dark skin. I wanted to lick him all over. His cock was hardening. I reached out to stroke it, but my hand was pushed away. He shook his head.

“Good girls get this, not brats.”

“Maybe if you gave me that, I’d be a good girl.”

“That’s not the way it works. First, you be good, and then you get a treat. Wouldn’t you like to have this cock in your mouth so you can suck it like a lollipop? You love giving me head. And you love it even more when I shoot my load down your throat. Do you want that?”

I fought to say no, but I couldn’t. The thought of him in my mouth had it watering. I nodded.

“No, I need you to say it. Say you want it.”

Begrudgingly, I said, “I want your cock.”

“Where?”

I made a frustrated sound, which made him smirk. Bastard, he knew I was edging toward mindless lust. I remained mute. He shrugged and went to step out of the tub. I caught his leg .

“I want your cock in my mouth. I want you to fuck my face with it.”

He let out a low growl, and then his hand was buried in my hair, bringing me face-to-face with his now fully erect cock. “Hold it.”

I gripped the base and fondled his balls.

“Open and lick it once, then stop,” he ordered.

He knew how hard it would be for me to get a taste of the precum already oozing from his slit and then stop. He was diabolical, but I still did it. I moaned as his flavor burst on my tongue. I craved his cum. Most women hated the taste, but I loved his. There was a slightly fruity flavor to it. It was probably due to all the fruit he ate. The man had it more than once a day.

I sat there impatient, waiting for him to let me do it again. As time stretched out, I thought, fuck it, and I did it again. I was yanked off him by my hair. It stung a bit, but it wasn’t terrible. Even like this, he was careful.

“I didn’t say you could have another taste. You need to learn to listen. For that, no more.” He let go of my hair and, this time, got out of the tub before I could stop him. A sense of panic erupted inside of me. If he denied me, I’d go crazy.

“Please, come back. I’ll behave,” I pleaded.

“No, I’m going to lie down. Maybe I’ll take a nap.” He finished drying off and then walked out of the bathroom.

That was all it took. In a flash, I was on my feet, trying to get out. In my haste, I almost fell. There was a thumping sound and a loud splash as I caught myself.

“Cady, are you alright? Answer me,” he called from the other room. He was worried. I knew not to pretend with this. It would break one of our rules. Never downplay or lie about being hurt.

“I’m fine. I almost fell, but I’m good.”

“Do you need me to help you out?”

“No, I got it. You need to change your mind and let me have my treat,” I called back as I got out and started to dry off.

He chuckled. “I don’t think so.”

I hurried through it and was out in the main room in no time. He was stretched out on the bed. The man had his cock in his hand, slowly stroking up and down. The precum had increased. I licked my lips. I had to have it. I stood at the bathroom door.

“What do I need to say or do to get another taste? And what will it take to let me suck you off?”

“Let me think. Hmm. Why don’t you come over here and lie down with me? We’ll cuddle. I need that.”

He was torturing me, but I did it. I slid onto the bed, and he dragged me against him, spooning me from behind, which allowed him to bury his cock between my ass cheeks. He thrust a time or two as if finding a comfortable place, and then he went still.

“That’s it. Let me get the lights. It’s too bright in here to sleep,” he muttered, and the next thing I knew, the lights went out.

I lay there, working to forget he was naked and hard. It was impossible, especially when he began to caress me slowly. My body lit up more. I moaned softly, though I tried to hold it in.

“Is something wrong?”

“You know there is. If you want us to sleep, you can’t touch me.”

“But it comforts me.”

I didn’t bother to respond. He kept it up, just barely grazing my key spots. I had no idea how long he did it until I decided I’d had enough. If he wanted to deny me, I’d take care of myself. I rolled onto my back and put distance between us. As I did, I spread my legs and slid a finger along my wet slit, then sank it into my hole. I moaned.

“Cady, what’re you doing?”

“Nothing. Go to sleep.”

I rubbed up and down, and when I came to my clit, I rubbed in circles. It wasn’t going to take much to get me off. I sped up. Suddenly, I was blinded by the light coming on. A growl came from him.

“Did I say you could touch yourself?”

“No, but since you can’t get the job done, I decided to do it myself. Or maybe I should see if someone out there is willing to help me,” I taunted. As soon as I said it, I knew I’d fucked up.

He snarled, and then he was over the top of me, staring down at me. There was a wildness to his look. He tore my hand away from my pussy. He brought it up to his mouth and sucked it clean. When he was done, he pinned both of my wrists to the bed with one hand.

“You never threaten to let someone else touch you, Cady. I’m a possessive man. You’re mine. If anyone touches you, they die. I see you want to push me into getting you off. Okay, let’s see if you like what you get.”

The look in his eyes told me I was in for payback.

“No, no, I was just teasing, Magnus. Don’t,” I begged.

“Too late.”

He began to run his hands all over my body. He grazed those trigger spots, but that was it. I thought that was bad enough, but then he got out of bed and went to a small fridge I hadn’t noticed. He opened it, scanned it, and then took something out. When he came back, he had it hidden by his leg.

“I want you on your stomach and spread your legs,” he demanded.

I was wary of what he had, but I did it. When I was in position, he lifted my bottom and placed a pillow underneath me, raising my ass in the air. Then he got on the bed. I tried to look over my shoulder, but he barked at me. “Eyes forward. If you want to come at all tonight, you’ll do as you’re told.”

I did it, but reluctantly. I felt something cold and wet circle my asshole. I tensed for a moment, then relaxed. We’d been playing with him, placing his fingers in my ass and even some toys. I enjoyed it once you got past the initial burn. After several circles, he then slowly pressed the object inside. It felt like a wet and cold dildo. Maybe the cold was supposed to make me not like it. Well, I had news for him. It would do just fine to make me get off. Hoss began slowly thrusting it in and out. I relaxed into it. He paused at one point and pressed my ass cheeks together and held them for several moments, then let go. He went back to thrusting. As my excitement grew, I began to burn. At first, I didn’t pay any attention to it, but it kept increasing. I wiggled. He slapped my cheek. The burning increased.

“Stay still.”

“Magnus, something’s wrong. It’s burning.”

“It’s supposed to. You’ve been bad. I can’t let you get off without you being punished, can I?”

“Punished? How?” I asked. The burn was becoming worse.

“Remember I told you about figging. Well, I thought this was a good time to try it.”

I gasped. He’d told me about the practice of inserting fresh ginger root into the anus. It caused a deep burning sensation. In the past, it had been used to torture prisoners and others. Another slap landed, making me clench. It increased the fire. I tried not to clench my muscles, but he made it impossible. In between spanking me, he was rubbing my clit, causing my pussy to pulsate, and that affected my ass. I was sobbing for him to stop.

“Bite the fucking pillow. You can take it. Show me how you can take my punishment. If you do, I’ll give you what you want.”

Despite the pain of the burning, I was turned on more than ever. It was like the ginger was painful yet pleasurable, too. I wanted to scream my safe word, yet another part of me wanted to ride it out and see what happened. I was shaking and sobbing into the pillow still when the burn and the stimulation peaked. As it did, I screamed and almost came off the bed with how hard I was shaking. I came and came. I was gasping for air throughout. I vaguely felt him remove the ginger. Then I gasped more as his cock slid into my pussy. I was still orgasming, which made him moan.

“Fuck, you’re milking my cock. Yes, that’s it. God, you did so good, baby. And you’re gonna come again,” he muttered.

I became a ball of sensation as he pounded into me. I was climbing in no time.

“Goddamn, that was so hot to watch. All I kept thinking about was it was my cock in your ass. I hope one day you’ll say yes. I’d love to know what it feels like. The burn of the root and my cock together. I bet our orgasms would be explosive.”

The thought made me wilder. I pushed back to meet his next thrust. “You get me off in the next two minutes, and I promise to let you have this ass. Just work me up to it, and we’ll do it,” I promised.

“Fuckkk,” he moaned, and then he was really going for it. It didn’t take him two minutes to have me gushing and squeezing the hell out of his cock as we both came and roared out our pleasure. I hoped everyone heard us, was the last thought I had before I closed my eyes. I vaguely felt him pull out and then carry me to the bathroom to clean up. I kept my eyes closed, even when he put me in the tub. I was boneless and so tired but in a wonderful way. I was never so happy to be a brat as I was with him.

I was at Hoss’s house. It was nine o’clock at night. He was at work at Lustz. I hated the nights he worked there. The bed felt so empty. I knew he did it for stress relief from his regular job and the demands of his company, so I never told him that I detested when he left me. I suggested that I stay at my place those nights, but he wanted me to stay here. He claimed he needed to come home and crawl into bed with me, even if we only got to sleep together a few hours before I had to get up and go to the clinic on Friday mornings. His Friday and Saturday nights were better since we had no reason to be up early and could sleep in and play when we felt the mood strike.

I read a book for a while, but it didn’t keep my attention. I didn’t want to intrude on Mikhail and Tajah’s time together, so it left me with loose ends. My work charting was caught up, and so was any of the business side of things, such as supply ordering and paying the bills. Thank God Dottie helped me do the supplies.

Dropping into a chair in the living room, I turned on the television to see if, by some miracle, there was something on it worth watching. I wasn’t holding out hope. As I surfed, my mind drifted to last night and what Hoss and I did at Lustz. I was still astonished that I actually had sex where other people could see me. While it made me somewhat nervous, I enjoyed being watched. I felt sexy and empowered. It was proven. I was an exhibitionist, and I’d even say a voyeur.

A loud buzzing caused me to jump in fright. It took a second for it to click that it was coming from one of the speakers throughout the house. Due to its size, Hoss had a few of them scattered around. It allowed you not only to activate the alarm but to see who was ringing in from the gate. Going over to the panel, I saw the screen was showing a man there. He was in a car and appeared upset. I had no idea who he was. I decided to ignore him. No way was I letting a stranger onto the property when Hoss wasn’t home. He pressed it again, but this time, he spoke through the speaker.

“Come on, open the fucking gate. I don’t want to sit out here all fucking night. Open up, Hoss,” he shouted.

His pissy attitude sparked my temper. I pressed the button on my end to talk back.

“Hoss isn’t here, and I’m not opening the gate. You can come back when he’s home.”

His scowl deepened. “I don’t take orders from my brother’s fuck toys. Open the gate. I’m tired, and I need a place to crash. He won’t be happy if he finds out you didn’t let his brother in.”

“First of all, how do I know you’re his brother? Secondly, if he wanted you to have the ability to crash here, you’d have the code to open the gate and wouldn’t need to buzz in. And from what I know, Hoss doesn’t give a damn what you do.”

“Listen, bitch, open the gate or else,” he shouted.

“Or else what, bitch?” I smarted off.

“You’re fucking with the wrong person! Open the hell up! Is Hoss having his tarts speak for him?”

“I’m not a tart. I’m his girlfriend, and yes, I speak for him when I know what he’d say or want. And he doesn’t want you on his property or in his house. Go away. If you want to speak to him, go see him at work.”

“Work! He’s not there this late, dumb bitch. He must be out screwing another woman while your dumbass is at home thinking he’s at work,” he said with a smirk. He had no idea Hoss worked at Lustz, and I wasn’t about to tell him where he was.

“Max, leave, or I’ll call the cops, and they’ll make you leave.”

“No one tells me what to do, especially not some split tail,” he muttered as he put the car in reverse and backed up. I watched until the car was out of the camera’s view. Wait until I told Hoss his brother was around. No doubt he wanted money since that was all he ever wanted, according to Hoss.

Fed up with Max and the lack of a good show to watch, I shut off the television and decided to go to the bedroom and curl up in bed. There was a television and a DVR in there. He had a large selection of movies. I’d choose one of those and watch it. Maybe it would put me to sleep, and I’d get some rest until Hoss came home .

I found what I was looking for and got into bed. I clicked the buttons, and one of my favorite old movies came on. It had John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in it. I loved just about any movie she was in, and the two of them together were great. I liked her feistiness. She didn’t take much crap.

I was maybe five minutes into it when there was a loud crash, which sounded like something being knocked over, and then the alarm system went off. My heart jumped into my throat. For a couple of moments, I didn’t know what to do. Then, my brain began to work, and I recalled what Hoss had told me to do if anyone ever broke in. There was a concealed panic room built into the master walk-in closet. He’d shown me where it was and put my handprint into it. I threw back the covers and ran for the closet. I had enough sense to snag up my cell phone as I did.

My hand shook, and it took a couple of tries before the system could read my print and the hidden door opened. I rushed inside and shut the door. Lights automatically came on. It was equipped for more than one person to be able to stay there for an extended period of time. There was even a tiny bathroom. Along one wall were several screens. I ran to it and hit the main button. Again, Hoss showed it to me. The cameras around the house came on.

As I scanned to see the intruder or intruders, my cell phone rang. I jumped. Christ, calm down, Cady , I chided. I glanced at it, and Hoss’s name was on the screen. Relief hit me. I answered it immediately.

“Cady, the security company said there’s an alarm going off at the house. Did you forget the code and set it off? ”

“No. I heard a crashing sound, and then it started blaring.”

“Are you in the panic room?” His tone changed from somewhat amused to stressed. He really thought I’d accidentally set it off.

“I am. Are they sending someone?”

“Hold on a second, and I’ll let them know to send the police. They’re on the other line.”

His being off the line made me more anxious. I was still busy scanning the screens. He was back quickly. “Cady, they’re sending the police. I want you to stay in that room. You don’t come out for anyone other than me or the cops. I’m on my way. Remember, whoever it is doesn’t know about the room, and even if they did, they can’t get in. You’re safe. I’ll be home as fast as I can. Hang tight.”

“I will. Magnus, please hurry.” I let him hear my fear.

“I will, baby.”

Letting him hang up was tough. I kept watching the monitors. I had no idea how long it would take for the police to get there. I was about to concede it was a false alarm despite the crashing sound when I saw a shadowy figure slowly entering the kitchen. It was dark in there, so I couldn’t tell who it was, but the height and build made me think it had to be a man. He had a hood pulled up over his head, further disguising him.

The way he moved made it appear that he was familiar with the house. He was going straight through the living room and down the hall to where Hoss’s home office was. Fiddling with the buttons that worked the monitors, I got it to switch to that area. The intruder went inside Hoss’s office and to the desk, where he began rummaging through the drawers. As he did, he clicked on a flashlight he was carrying and laid it on the desk. The beam lit up his face. My fear changed to fury as I recognized the face. It was Max, Hoss’s brother. I guess he hadn’t left after all.

I knew Hoss had said to wait for him and that the cops were coming, but my anger at his brother doing this overrode my common sense. I went to the cabinet against the wall. Hoss had given me a thorough orientation to this room. There were weapons. I knew how to shoot a gun thanks to Tajah’s dad, who had been a cop, teaching me years before he died. I removed one of the handguns in there. I checked to be sure it was loaded and that a round was chambered. Once I had it, I went to the door and eased it open. I slipped out and made sure it was closed behind me. Then I went hunting. No way was I letting that slimy bastard steal from his brother.

I made my way to the office, where I stood outside the door. I hadn’t seen if he had a gun or not on the monitor. There was a chance he did, and if I confronted him, he’d shoot me. However, I was determined not to let him steal. Holding the gun down along my leg, out of sight, I called out.

“Max, I know it’s you. Come out. Why’re you breaking into your brother’s house?”

I was peeking through the crack where the door met the frame. I could see him, barely. He jerked, and his head snapped to look toward the doorway. He wasn’t able to see me.

“You wouldn’t let me in, so I came in. Turn off that damn annoying alarm. I wondered where you ran off to. Hoss owes me. I’m here to collect. ”

“He owes you? I don’t see that ever happening. Hoss takes care of himself and others. He has no need to take anything from you.”

“Well, he doesn’t take care of me! He knows that with Dad and Mom dead, it’s his job to help me. It’s what family does. I need cash, and he has plenty of it. Look at this house, his cars, and that fancy office he has. He’s rolling in it. He can spare some. I bet that’s why you’re with him, isn’t it? You want his money,” he snapped.

“No, I don’t, and you’re not stealing anything of his. The cops are on their way. You should leave before they get here. If they find you, they’ll arrest you.”

“My brother won’t let that happen.”

“Oh yes, he will. I know all about how your parents enabled you, and you sucked them dry. Hoss is too smart to allow you to do it to him. If your parents listened, they might still be alive. You should’ve been cut loose a long time ago,” I instigated. What made me do it was anger over how he affected Hoss’s life. He moved around the desk as if he was going to come toward the door, and I eased back. As I backed up the hallway, I kept talking.

“Hoss told me all about you. You only come around when you want money, and he never gives it to you. Trespassing on his property is one thing, but you broke into his house. The house where his girlfriend is. He’s a very protective man. You don’t want to be here when he arrives.”

“I don’t believe you’re his girlfriend. My brother doesn’t have serious relationships. He fucks and moves on. If you want me to go, then tell me where he keeps his emergency cash. I know he has it here. He always has some, no matter what. Get it for me, or if not that, I want jewelry and anything else that’s valuable. If you get me those, I’ll leave.”

I knew he was lying, but I pretended to believe him. “Alright, let me go get it. It’s in the master bedroom. It’ll take me a couple of minutes to get it all. There’s a lot. Stay here.”

I took off rushing to it. I’d come to the conclusion I should’ve stayed in the panic room. Hoss would lose his shit when he found me out of it. I wasn’t up to testing him. My safety was one of the do-not-break rules. I heard Max coming after me. I sped up and almost fell, getting back to the bedroom and to the panic room door. I hit the palm scanner, and it let me in. I was closing it when he appeared. He saw me and ran toward me, but I got it secured in the nick of time. He pounded on it and shouted.

“Open the fuck up! I know his stuff is in there. Give it to me. I need it. You have to give it to me now!” he hollered.

The way he was acting and the escalating demands made me wonder if he was either high at the moment or if he needed a fix and didn’t have the money to get it. That was why he came here. Although knowing Hoss the way he did, why would Max ever think he’d give him anything? He kept screaming and pounding. I sat on one of the cots and waited. When would the police get here ? I fretted.

I didn’t know how long it was before I heard more voices. They were male. I heard them identify themselves as cops and demanded that whoever was in the house come out with their hands up. I heard it coming over the monitor. The yelling and pounding had stopped, but that didn’t mean Max was gone. I tried to see where he’d gone. Surely, he wasn’t stupid enough to stick around for the cops to get here? But if he was high or desperate enough, he might.

I saw two of the cops moving through the house with their guns drawn. I continued scanning the other rooms until I saw Max crouched in a secondary bedroom. He had his gun in his hands. I didn’t want the officers to get shot. Frantically looking over the buttons, I found the one that I believed would allow me to talk. I pressed it.

“He’s on the second floor, in the last bedroom on the right. Be careful. He has a gun,” I announced.

I saw the officers startle, but nothing like Max did. He couldn’t run unless he jumped out of a second-story window, and that would most likely end in him breaking something. And the cops were coming up the stairs, so there was no way to get past them. He was frantically twisting his head left and right, looking for a way out. Not knowing what else to do, I began talking to him. I wanted him distracted and not focused on the cops.

“Max, it’s over. Put down your gun and come out. If you do, no one gets hurt. If you don’t and those policemen get hurt, you’re going to be in a world of shit. Breaking and entering and attempted burglary is a lot less intense than attempted murder or the actual murder of an officer.

“What do you think Hoss is going to think and feel when he finds out his brother broke into his house and terrorized his girlfriend? That you demanded money and valuables? You’re better off going with the cops. Maybe they’ll lock you up for a long time, and it’ll give you the chance to detox and then turn your shit around.”

As I talked, I noted that I had his attention. He was scowling, and I saw his mouth moving even though I didn’t have the sound on to hear him. The two policemen made it right outside the bedroom door. I shut up and held my breath. I sent up a prayer that neither of them got hurt. It was over in a blink. They entered the room and had him in their sights. He was disarmed, then taken to the ground and handcuffed. It was kinda anticlimactic, but at least everyone was safe.

I didn’t know what to do. The officers had no idea where I was in the house. If I came out, I didn’t want to be accidentally shot. I was debating talking to them over the speaker system and telling them I was coming out and not to shoot when Hoss came striding into the house. He appeared fierce. There was another person with him, who the police obviously knew. I turned on the audio to listen.

“Where’s my woman?” Hoss demanded of the officers.

“Sir, we don’t know. She spoke over your PA system, but we have no idea where she is,” the shorter officer holding Max said.

“She must still be in the panic room. Hold him here. I’ll be right back,” he ordered.

I wasn’t surprised when they did as he said. He wasn’t a man to ignore. I shut off the monitors and went to the door. I barely opened it and stepped outside when I was scooped up in a bear hug. Hoss held me tightly to him as he kissed me. In between kisses, he kept muttering, “Thank God you’re alright, Tiny.”

“Magnus, I’m fine. Put me down, and let’s go deal with your stupid brother. What an absolute idiot. Are you sure you’re even related? Maybe he was adopted or switched at the hospital,” I told him.

It did the trick. It made him chuckle. Soon, he was laughing and easing his hold. He finally sat me on my feet but kept an arm around me.

“Come on then, let’s get this over with.”

I went with him to the living room, where the cops were still waiting. He marched right up to Max.

“What the hell were you thinking? Wait, you weren’t. Those drugs have finally eaten your brain away, Max. You came onto my property and broke into my house when my woman was here alone. How dare you?” he roared.

“Mr. Sacket, calm down. We’ve got him, and we assume you’re pressing charges,” the guy who came in with him stated. He wasn’t in a uniform but had a badge pinned to his belt. I hadn’t seen it on the monitor.

“You’re goddamn right that I’m pressing charges. He’s damn lucky he didn’t harm her, or he’d be dead,” Hoss snarled.

“We’ll disregard that statement, guys. Get him out of here. I’ll talk to the lady about what happened,” the lead man said. Nodding, the two policemen led Max toward the door.

“You can’t do this, Hoss! I’m your brother. Family takes care of family,” Max shouted.

“You’re not my family. Mine wouldn’t do this. This is the final straw, Max. You’re dead to me. Never contact or come near me and mine again.”

Max let out a frustrated scream as they dragged him out. He was fighting to get loose. Hoss turned his attention to me. “Cady, this is Detective Saller. Detective, this is my girlfriend, Cadence Anderson. Let’s go sit in the living room.” On our way to the living room, Detective Saller started the conversation.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Anderson. I wish it were under better circumstances. I’m with the Nashville Metro Police. Iker Sullivan called to advise me that I should be here.” I shook his outstretched hand. Hoss turned on the lights as we went. We settled on the couch. Saller sat in the chair across from us.

“Just start at the beginning and tell us what happened,” Saller suggested.

As concisely as possible, I told them what happened from the moment Max rang the buzzer until they arrived. I felt the tension grow in Hoss. I left nothing out, including how I’d ignored his order to stay in the panic room. I did emphasize how I thought better of it after the fact and returned there to wait for the police. When I was done, I gave Hoss a nervous look.

“I’m sorry, Magnus. I should’ve listened. I know that it’s one of the rules, but I didn’t want him to steal your stuff.”

“Cady, I don’t give a fuck about my stuff. It can be replaced. You can’t. You put yourself in danger for nothing. You and I will talk about your disobeying later. Saller, do you have any other questions for her?” He was curt and dismissive. I felt slightly sick.

“No, I think I have it all.”

“Do we need to come downtown and sign anything to have him prosecuted? Or to give another statement?” Hoss asked.

“I don’t think it’ll be necessary. Her statement and what Sullivan will provide from the security videos make it pretty airtight. If your brother is smart, he’ll plead guilty and save us all a trial. He’ll be going away. ”

“Good, but he’s never smart, so he’ll probably claim he’s innocent even after seeing the damn security video. If you need anything, just let us know. If you don’t mind, it’s late and we’re tired. I know you have to be as well. We’d like to get to bed,” Hoss said.

Saller rose, and after handshakes and goodbyes, Hoss escorted him to the door. I hung back in the living room. I didn’t know what form my punishment would take, but I knew I was in for it. I’d violated one of his biggest rules. Something told me I wouldn’t enjoy it this time.