Believing in Bad: A Badd Brothers Series Read online

  I feel pain radiating through my scalp as he rips my head backwards, slamming it into the wall.

  Sliding down the wall I whimper, but I try not to. It only makes him madder when I make noise.

  Unfortunately, he hears me anyways. He rears back his foot kicking me in the side as he seethes.

  “What are you doing whoring around town at this hour, Abigail?" he spits out.

  Dad is the only person who calls me Abigail and I feel bile rising in my throat as the bruise from a few nights ago throbs under my shirt. I know the purple that is fading will be back to black by the morning.

  “Who just dropped you off?” He questions.

  Thinking quickly, I admit to my wrong doing because if I get caught in a lie it will be worse.

  “I went to the park to stargaze and a friend from school saw me and offered a ride home. I’m sorry dad, it won't happen again.”

  He considers my explanation before taking off his belt. A gentle thwack noise as it passes through the loops.

  I roll over to my stomach so my back takes most of the lashings I am fixing to endure.

  “I’m going to give you a lick for every letter of the word whore since that’s all your good at being.” He lifts the belt above his head… One. Two. Three. My vision starts blurring. Four…. And I black out.

  Thank God for tiny favors, because I don’t remember number five at all.

  ABBY- Chapter 4

  I feel something brush tentatively across my cheek then down my nose.

  “Come on Ab," I hear a familiar voice say.

  The brushing goes over my forehead, “God, what did this asshole do to you. Come on Ab, wake up before he comes down stairs.”

  I open my eyes to Nick’s worried face that instantly shows relief at seeing me stir awake.

  I’m still on the floor of the living room beside the wall where my head had been smashed against. I had barely made it inside the entry way.

  Inhaling causes every lash on my back to ache and my bruised ribs to shoot pain, but I give Nick a brave smile because I’ll always protect Nick. There are some things he’s better off not knowing- my bruises being one of them.

  “Come on Ab, let me help you upstairs.” Nick grabs my arm gingerly and helps me brace my weight so I can get up.

  “God Abby, your face is bruised. I swear I’m going to kill that bastard someday," Nick whispers roughly as he traces my hairline that must be sporting a new bruise.

  “I’m ok Nick-knack.” I reply, purposefully using his nickname to lighten the mood. He gives me his signature half smirk before guiding me to the steps, where we walk slowly up to the bathroom.

  “I’m going to rinse off in the shower Nick, be ready in 15 and we'll slip off to school.” I tell my brother while reaching up on my tiptoes to brush my lips on his cheek.

  Nick may be younger but he’s a good eight or nine inches taller than my 5-foot 2 frame.

  He gives me a lopsided grin before kissing my forehead and closing the bathroom door.

  I quickly as possible undress and step under the shower’s hot water flow. Trying to alleviate some of the pain on my back I shift giving the water a chance to run over the lash marks.

  After standing under the stream for five minutes, I get out, towel dry, and pop a few ibuprofens in my mouth.

  Brushing my teeth and throwing my hair into a bun, I slide on a pair of Jean shorts and a Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt that Nick must have laid out for me before we came upstairs.

  Creeping out of the bathroom to my room, I slip on some socks and my black converse that have seen better days before grabbing for my book bag.

  I almost throw the straps over my shoulders but quickly remember the marks on my skin and bypass that, opting to carry it in my hand.

  As I get to the top of the stairs my heart sinks when I hear the knock on the front door.

  I had forgotten the part where Archer said he and Asher would be back to get Nick and I. Shit, shit, shit. I had just wanted so badly to get home last night. I can’t believe I forgot.

  I run down the steps two at a time but the monster is already whipping the front door open, and there stands Asher in all his beautiful glory.

  He is tall, probably well over 6 foot and has chestnut brown hair that is trimmed low on the side, leaving the top longer. The look is perfect on him.

  He has piercing blue eyes and a scar that goes through his left eyebrow.

  The only difference between him and his twin brother Archer is that Archer wears thick black rimmed glasses and keeps a more serious expression. Asher usually wears an easy smile or a flirty smirk.

  All the girls in school want some of the Badd brothers, but they are unattainable.

  When my dad asks how he can help him Asher catches my eyes with a smile on his lips and laughter in his eyes. It is almost contagious. Almost.

  Dad swings around, narrowing his eyes at me, leaving me standing like a deer in the headlights. Nick quickly appraises the situation and jumps into action.

  “Um, dad. This is Asher Badd. He and I are working on a project for civics and thought it’d be a good idea to work on it before school this morning. I, uh, forgot to tell Abby. Sorry Ab.” He concludes, almost breathlessly.

  Dad nods at his explanation of why the most gorgeous boy at St. John's high school is at our house at seven thirty AM on a Wednesday morning.

  Asher is obviously uncomfortable with the exchange and politely sticks his hand out to shake my dad’s hand.

  Dad gives him a gripping shake back and I cringe because I know how strong my dad can be when he's being unpleasant.

  Asher notices my cringe and raises an eyebrow at me before continuing to address my dad, “Yes Mr. Jacobs. Nick was going to ride to school with me and my brother… Abby you can ride with us as well if you want. You know to save gas.”

  Dad turns and I pray he doesn’t read too much into this invite. “Yeah Abigail,” he spits out distastefully, “Get your bag. You're going to make these boys late.”

  Turning on his heels he exits the foyer and I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I start behind Nick out of the house with Asher following me, closing the door behind us.

  I’m not sure if dad believes what Asher had said but he wouldn’t dare step out of line towards me in front of company. I’ll know for sure later depending on if he thought I needed a spelling lesson for the word “whore” again.

  ASHER- Chapter 5

  Gosh, she is beautiful. I can tell she is stunned I came to her door but I wanted her to think of me as a gentleman.

  I’m looked at as a playboy at school. Not that I ever go out with any of those girls, but I tend to be a flirt. Abby Jacobs is the only girl that is, and ever has been, on my radar though.

  We rounded the SUV and before I can grab her door, Nick has opened the back door, shoving Abby in.

  I furrow my brow and consider that maybe she’s told Nick about last night. Great he’s going to try to go macho brother on me. Not that I am worried, but I definitely didn’t want to make enemies with someone who is so important to Abby.

  I slide into the front beside where Archer is driving and turn in the seat with a broad smile at our two passengers. My smile instantly falls when I see Nick fuming, red faced and Abby sporting a pretty pale face beside him.

  I was fixing to speak and ask what’s wrong when Nick comes out first with a mouthful, “What in the ever-loving HELL do you think you're doing coming up to our house with goo goo love eyes for my sister!?” he shouts.

  “Do you have any idea what you just put on her? For God's sake she just got it last nig-" Abby shoots across the seat slapping her hand over Nick’s mouth, giving him a warning glare that portrays the word “No” firmly. This leaves Archer and I completely stunned at the outburst.

  I put my hands up in a no harm gesture before spoke slow and even. “Look man, I meant no harm. I’m not trying to hurt your sister. I like her and want to get to know her."

  No truer statement has ever been spoke
n.

  Nick folds his arms over his chest looking out the window and mumbles what I think was yeah right and something about “beat”. I’m not sure if he was threatening me or saying his dad would beat someone.

  Regardless, it’s amusing to me that he thinks I would scared of him or his dad.

  Abby’s eyes are as large as saucers and Archer is looking at me with a look that said I went too far by disclosing my intentions for Abby.

  He knows I’ve always had a thing for Abby but he also knows how we can’t get too involved, otherwise our assignment may get messy. When you have something that would kill you if it was gone, your enemies make it their mission to take it away from you.

  I shrug uncommitted before turning back to face out the window.

  Pulling into our assigned parking spot I hit the lock button before anyone could make a move to open the doors.

  “Okay. Here’s the deal.” I start hoping if I’m mostly honest it will play in my favor. My brothers have already given approval to disclose minimal information to Nick and Abby since they are now involved, whether they like it or not.

  “My brothers and I are currently undercover with the DEA. Unfortunately, your sister walked into a meet with some local dealers involved with a drug cartel last night at the park. In order to keep her safe, we improvised the situation and claimed her as my girlfriend. Now we have to take her back to headquarters to brief her into the case or to assign her into witness protection. She is not going to be at school today, but we will all pick you up at the end of the day. You can't speak a word of this to anyone- it’s your sister’s safety at stake.” I end slightly winded.

  Nick looks blank faced back at me, then proceeds to bust out laughing.

  I realize how absolutely crazy I sound but damn it this is serious and we need this to work out.

  When Nick realizes that no one else in the car is laughing he looks at Abby for answers. She shrugs because truthfully, she has no idea what is going on either.

  He looks at me warily… “But, the school will call if Abby isn't in class. Dad will find out and...”

  He looks over at Abby with pain in his eyes and I wonder what’s caused it. She shuts her eyes briefly before putting on a convincing smile that I can tell she practices just for him and gives him a little wink.

  “I’m fine" she expresses to him. But I can tell by the disapproving glare he thinks she is anything but fine. I need to figure out what is going on at home for these two to be so scared.

  I’m starting to wonder myself if she is going to be fine when Archer clears his voice and begins speaking.

  “Our uncle is head of our organization and the school is aware of our work. He will be informing them regarding Abby’s role and will instruct that she be counted as present in all of her classes, so there will be no phone call home".

  This seems to appease Nick slightly for a moment but he then spouts off again, “I’m not going to let my sister go alone with two guys we barely know. She’s all I have and you're not going to kidnap or rape her."

  His voice shakes through his declaration. I can tell he is trying to be strong and protective, but he’s still a kid- scared for his big sister. I have to admire that about him.

  “I promise man. How about this? We'll get Abby to send you a selfie at lunch. You can ask her any question you'd like that only she would know and then we will all pick you up at the end of the day. If you don’t like her answer when she contacts you, you can call the cops- report us or whatever. Give me your phone." Nick slowly hands over his phone and I program my number in under Badd. A. I snicker at myself for the play on words.

  When Nick sees what I put he rolls his eyes, before cutting them to Abby, who again mouths that she will be okay.

  After a few beats Nick nods and opens his door. “Love you Abby bear," he murmurs.

  “Love you too Nick-knack” she replies cheerily.

  As soon as he is out of the car the cheer immediately drops and her shoulders sink. This exchange took a lot out of her.

  Nick makes his way towards the school and I jump out calling his name.

  He turns slowly and when I get close enough I bring him into a half hand-shake half hug and I whisper, “I’ll protect her with everything I am, okay? She’s special to me too... she just doesn’t know it.”

  He scans my eyes for sincerity, and when he sees what he is looking for he nods, then takes off to join a group of his friends outside the cafeteria.

  As we back out I see him mouth the word “promise” to me and I gesture back my affirmation, because if I could promise anything, it would be to protect Abby Jacobs with my life.

  ABBY- Chapter 6

  We pull out of the school and a rush of anxiety instantly fills me. What if Nick has good reason to be worried? I shake my head- no, Asher and Archer wouldn’t hurt me… would they?

  In the middle of my moral debate and my consideration of throwing myself out the car door, the Bluetooth in the car kicks on, allowing a deep voice to resonate through the line.

  “What’s up bitches," the man speaks and both the boys in the front seat shake their head. I can tell by their smirk that they send each other that the exchange is all in good nature.

  Archer speaks back to the mysterious voice, “We’re on our way to the compound with Abby, Jax. Be there in 5. Get ready for debrief.”

  Ah, so he's speaking to the oldest of the Badd brothers, Jaxon.

  Jaxon is the biggest of the Badd brothers in size and intimidation. He's also the only one who’s blonde with brown eyes. The other brothers all have the same chestnut brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

  Jaxon is equally as gorgeous as the other Badd brothers but he’s much more mysterious and it’s obvious that he is the father figure of the group.

  There is rumor that Jaxon has a different mom then the rest of the boys. Like I said though, when it comes to the Badd brothers everything is strictly rumor.

  No one knows the nitty gritty truth because in the whole almost four years they’ve lived in Tipton, Kansas they’ve never been seen with any adults. Only each other.

  Lost in my thoughts, I don’t even take note of how we got to the three-story warehouse from the high school and maybe I should have.

  How long have we even been driving? They seriously are bringing me to a freaking warehouse? Come on Ab, you’ve watched Criminal Minds.

  What would Spencer Reid think of you going voluntarily with two guys you barely know and ending up at a freaking warehouse? I know what he would think- he’d think that I was stupid!

  I roll my eyes to myself before sending Nick a quick text telling him I love him.

  If something were to happen to me, what would happen to Nick?

  I feel my chest tighten and my breathing become labored. Spots dance across my vision and the threat of the blacking out is overtaking.

  A few seconds later I’m starting to refocus and see Asher has flipped around in his seat and has both his hands on my cheeks.

  “Calm down babe, breathe. That’s good. Breathe. Let’s try something. Tell me one thing you smell.”

  I pause momentarily confused, then I realize he is trying to talk me down from a panic attack. I inhale, “You. I smell you. You smell clean and fresh.”

  “Okay, good girl. Now tell me one thing you see.” he croons.

  My eyes zero in on the one thing that has my focus, “Blue. Blue eyes".

  He chuckles, which causes those blue eyes to crinkle at the corners, “Good, now one thing you feel.”

  His hands.

  “Your hands, on my face. I feel your hands.”

  “Perfect, babe. Okay last one, one thought. What is one thing you're thinking?”

  I exhale the breath I didn’t know I was holding and my chest felt lighter. The spots are gone and my head is clear. “I’m okay. I’m thinking I’m okay.”

  His lips tip up into a radiant smile and he presses a kiss to my forehead before winking at me and turning back around in his seat.

&nb
sp; I sit stunned at the fact that he was able to calm me down- no one but Nick can calm me down out of a panic attack and even then, he struggles to help me gain my footing.

  I’m even more stunned because Asher Badd just kissed me! Sure, it was my forehead, but seriously- that’s the best I’ve ever acquired! Mainly because I’ve never acquired one- but that’s just semantics.

  The SUV pulls up to a box in front of a garage entrance and Archer sticks his hand to it. The box lights up indicating that it has read his palm, which allows the door to immediately open.

  Where the hell are we, I think to myself.

  The SUV glides into the brightly lit warehouse and I swear it is transformed into such an amazing sight. Completely modernized, with stainless steel and sleek black designs. This warehouse is the ultimate man cave.

  Two other vehicles are already parked here; a red Lamborghini and a blue Ford f250 pickup. We park beside the Lamborghini. I’ve seriously never seen anything so beautiful.

  When Asher opens the door, I jump down so I can peer in through the windows of the beautiful sports car, admiring the inside. I’ve never seen something so nice in my life.

  Behind me I hear a throat clear which causes me to turn around and see four of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever seen in my life, all smirking at me like they exposed a big secret of mine.

  “Well little brother, looks like my car is going to give you a run for your money with your girlfriend," their middle brother Brayden chides Asher, slapping a hand on his shoulder.

  I swear Asher's cheeks tint pink, but I’m not sure why. Brayden notices too and breaks out in a huge grin. Walking towards me he grabs my hand and places a kiss on the back of it.

  “Hello beautiful. You can let me give you a ride any time.”

  Giving me a wink makes me understand his innuendo and I blush bright red. Asher comes up to us jerking my hand out of Brayden’s, growling at him to not touch me, which in turn makes Brayden bellow out a laugh.

  “Sorry," Asher mumbles to me and I try to give him a reassuring smile, but I’m sure it came out like a grimace since I am definitely out of my comfort zone.

  Jaxon instructs Asher to have me upstairs in a few minutes after they clear the building making sure no bugs are brought in. I know he is insinuating I could have brought one in but I am so utterly confused.