The Siren, the General's Daughter Book One by Breanna Hayse Page B

behind him, Michael obeyed and waited for his father to speak. “Your sister will be out of commission for a couple of days, I’m afraid. She won’t be giving you any problems for a while.”
    “I’m sorry it had to go that way, but I didn’t think you would appreciate either the direct defiance or the pod thing,” Michael said quietly.
    “You are correct. I finally understand Scott’s reasoning. I think I made him out to be a softie today.”
    “Wow, you must have really laid it on her. Poor thing.”
    “She’ll survive. Mike, I don’t want you ever to leave the bruises we have had to, ok? Let Scott and me be the hard asses. And I really don’t want you disciplining her in public again.”
    “Dad, she pushed it in front of the men. I spoke with Scott already and he agreed this was not out of line. I didn’t expose her.”
    “Ok, just try to be discreet if you can help it. I trust your judgment.”
    “You don’t look so hot,” Michael said with concern.
    “I don’t feel so hot. This really drained me. I don’t know how Scott does it.”
    “Many more years practice, my friend. I had a kid sister who pushed every button I had plus one’s I didn’t,” Scott said, entering without knocking. He plopped in the chair next to Michael. “Tough session, huh?”
    “I made you look like a jellyfish,” his friend sounded sad.
    “Good, then maybe she’ll think twice before messing with either of us,” Scott smiled.  He patted his brother-in-law’s hand. “Believe me, buddy, you’ve done no damage. We already know she can psychologically handle this, and that little body has been through so much more than a bruised backside. The difference is the humiliation and submission factor. She needs to be able to fear your disappointment as much as she needs to trust you. I know how you feel. I’ve been there on many occasions. Think of it like training our boys for war. It’s better we are tough on them in boot camp so they are prepared. It could save their lives.”
    “But she’s just a child….”
    “She’s a young adult with adult responsibilities and a very unique situation. I think your issue is not her age, but her gender. I will remind you that your little girl helped kick the shit out of us in the ring,” Scott shot a glance at his nephew.  “ Do not repeat that statement to anyone, young man.”
    Michael tried to hide the slight smirk on his face. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Uncle Scott.”
    “Mike? Do you have an opinion here? I’d like to hear it,” his father asked.
    Michael considered his response. “I’m caught in the middle. I agree with both of you completely, and I think Scott has a point. Still, I struggle with wanting to protect her from harm, even to her backside. To be honest, and I know this is a sore spot, but if we were ever captured,” he looked at his father carefully—that was his primary fear—“she would not be concerned about her own pain. The worse thing for her is if they harmed me. That’s why she risked her life when I was seized. So, unless you are planning on punishing me to get through to her, I see no other course than the one you are taking.”
    “You are one smart kid,” Scott said, watching Michael blush.
    Dr. Quimby nodded. “Smarter than we are. Ok, we continue with our direction. Who wants to check on her?”
    “I will. I want to see how I now look like a jellyfish,” Scott grinned, standing. He walked up to the officer’s deck and down to the commanding officer staterooms. Chuckling, he admitted it would be good to be home with normal sized accommodations and the ability to walk around the house in his skivvies if he wanted to. Without knocking, he entered Dr. Quimby’s quarters and headed back to the bedroom.
    Sam was still sleeping on her stomach, her hair tangled in her face and still a bit puffy around the eyes. He gently stroked the long tresses, tucking them behind her ear. In her sleep, she looked like she was only 10, her delicate