The Siren, the General's Daughter Book One Read Online Free PDF Page B

ten minutes before she finally broke into tears, mostly out of anger and frustration. Michael did not stop the punishment, though, and continued to place swat after painful swat over her exposed skin, including her upper thighs. Michael spanked her until she could feel her bottom glowing and her face was swollen and puffy from crying and muttering apologies. Her sobs punctuated the still air, her body unmoving as it lay across his knees, except for the shaking from her tears. He rested his hand on her rear end as she silently wept into his leg.
    “Sammi,” he said in his most serious voice, “I’m really upset with you. You could have hurt yourself very badly this time.  I know I’m being repetitive, but I want it to sink in how much you’ve put yourself in danger. That’s why I spanked you.”
    She let out a slight noise to signal that she agreed with him and they stayed like that for a while, his hand resting on her warm bottom and her face buried in his sandy calf muscle. He sighed, eyeing the small bruises on tiny backside from his fingers. “I love you. You’re my baby sister and I’d never want anything bad to happen to you, okay?” he said softly. “Have you had enough now?” he asked, pulling her suit up to cover her inflamed backside, and then standing her between his knees before him.
    She nodded, allowing him to adjust the wetsuit around her waist, staring at the ground shamefully. Michael studied her carefully He knew he had been hard on her, even more than their father had been, but it was well-earned. He kissed her nose. “Good. Go stand with your face to the cockpit until I tell you otherwise,” he ordered gently.
    Disbelieving that he was sending her to ‘stand in the corner’, the girl stared at him opened mouthed. A sharp smack on the thigh made her move quickly to obey. The latter did not particularly hurt, but his actions were frightening. He would never harm her, she knew that, but this was a side to her brother she had never really seen. Standing with her nose against the helo, Sam had to admit that his demonstration of authority made her feel safer. She was used to his dominance and self-assurance when they were in the field. She depended on it to keep her focused and honed on her mission.
    But at home... he had always been firm with her, but she had never challenged him like this before.
    She felt ashamed. What was going on inside of her that enticed her need to challenge him? Maybe she needed him to prove his strength to her now that they were facing more dangerous situations in their work? She snarled to herself, hating that overwhelming need for strong, dominant men in her life. There were so few like her father and Uncle Scott (who still had no qualms ever about reddening her backside if needed). Her respect for her older brother grew, but her heart also cringed. I’m hamburger, she thought.
    It was a good thirty minutes before Michael released her from her ‘corner’ and ordered her into the helo. He flew them back to the ship and promptly sent Sam to her quarters to stay put until further notice. She began to argue until she saw her father approaching, and then fled without another sound.
    “What was that about?” Dr. Quimby asked, helping his son refuel. Michael explained the events, expressing his anger and frustration. The father sighed, patting the broad shoulder. “It seems we will have to be harder than we like, but if that is what’s needed, so be it. Your uncle is back on board tomorrow morning, by the way. Let’s make sure he knows about our plans.”
    “Scott is all for it. I told you that he still takes a ruler to her bottom if she gets mouthy. In fact, he had complained that you were too lenient,” Michael grinned.
    “I hate having to suck it up and admit to him that he was right. He always reminds me of the way your mom acted at Sam’s age, and how frequently he was forced to discipline her. I forget about things like that, it seems so long ago. So, you