Cassie's New Plan(6)

“Yeah, but...”

“I think we need to agree to stick together on this, Glenn, for her sake. I’m not going to step back anymore with her and neither is Rob. We care about her too much. Rob and I discussed this already. It’s time to man up,”Bryon said firmly, eyeing his baby brother.

Glenn sighed, nodding. “Okay, I get it. Does that mean I have to spank her, too? I don’t want to.”

“Not at all. I’ll be responsible for her discipline if it’s needed. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable,”Rob said gently.

Bryon nodded. “I plan on handling my part as well. She needs to believe we love her enough to say no. I’m going to bed, I’m beat. Do you need me to check in on her?”

“I’m sure she’s fine. Fell asleep in my arms while sitting on a warmed backside,”Rob chuckled, standing up to hug his brother. “Night, Bry. Thanks.”

“We’ll talk later. I have some ideas,”Bryon said, winking at Rob, who nodded.

After he left, Rob looked at Glenn. “Please don’t look at me like that. I didn’t enjoy punishing her.” On the other hand, Rob had thoroughly enjoyed the site of her bare bottom and everything between her legs, and he had been thinking quite a few really naughty thoughts while she sat on his lap after the spanking. He left all of that unsaid, however.

Glenn wrinkled his nose, acquiescing. “Do you mind if I check in on her?”

“If it will make you feel better, then go for it. The more love she gets, the more she’ll start believing in us.”

Glenn nodded, trotting upstairs and quietly slipping into Cassie’s room. She was on her stomach occasionally sniffling.

“You awake, Chili Pepper?”he whispered.

“Glenn, it was awful.”Cassie started to cry again. “Rob hit me. Hard.”

“Rob gave you a well-deserved spanking. It’s something we all should have done a long time ago. Maybe if we had, we could have proven to you how much you mean to us.”

“We? You don’t mean that!”

“I mean every bit. I don’t like seeing you cry, but if it keeps you from getting hurt, then I’ll support it. Come here,”he said, pulling her against him. Rocking her gently, he smoothed her hair.

“You would never do that to me, right?”

“Never say never, baby doll. If you scare me like you did Rob, I would paddle that bottom in a heartbeat and then hold you like there was no tomorrow. You’re my favorite girl in this house and I don’t want anything happening to you.”

“I’m the onlygirl in this house,”she reminded him, leaning against him. It felt good as she relaxed in his arms.

He squeezed her lovingly, knowing he could never bring himself to punish her. “I like you like this. This is the first time you’ve even let me cuddle you without fighting. Bet you didn’t know that was why we were so excited when we met you; we all like to cuddle. Since you’re so tiny, Bry said it was like having a permanent toddler around. He’s the worst. I’m glad I’m not a girl.” Glenn shuddered.

“I’m not that small, for crying out loud. You’re right, though. I didn’t let anyone cuddle me, not even my mom. Plus, I thought you all were as big as bears and it scared me. I envisioned you crushing me if you hugged too hard. I don’t like to be touched.”Cassie inhaled, telling a partial truth. The full truth was that she did not want to let anyone get close enough to hurt her heart again.

“I get that with Rob and Bry. Not me, though. I’m the runt of the litter,”he whispered, holding her snugly.

“You’re 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. How does that make you the runt?”

“When you have brothers who are at least 5 inches taller and 60 pounds heavier, you’re a runt. But I’m cozy. Maybe you’ll change your mind now about cuddles. Get some sleep, okay? I’ll watch cartoons with you in the morning.”

Cassie giggled.

“Do we have fruit loops?”

“A whole box. See you in the a.m.”Glenn kissed her forehead and left the room.

Cassie rubbed her stinging bottom. Maybe Rob was right after all; maybe things could change for the better.





Chapter Two





Bryon stood in the doorway of the family room watching his kid brother tossing fruit loops into Cassie's mouth. Shaking his head and feeling very old all of a sudden, he sat between them, picked up the remote and promptly turned off the TV.

“Hey! We’re watching that!”Glenn protested, trying to get the remote back.

“You might be, but the midget here is grounded, remember?”he said calmly, looking at Cassie. “Sorry, kidlet, but you know the rules. No TV, phone, or stereo until your grades come up. I’ll help you if you’re having trouble.”