Brothers' Protection

One - Death Wish

Jade's P.O.V

50% of people may think that living in a house full of males would be awesome. The other 50% may think that it would drive them crazy. I'm with the other 50%, except that I don't think it, I live it every single day.

Yes, you read that correctly. Seven brothers and a father. I have no idea where my mom is. Heck, I don't even know who my mom is, but it never really mattered to me. I manage well in this house... note the sarcasm.

My bedroom door is abruptly thrown open, pulling me from my thoughts.

Everyone meet my oldest brother, Joel Samuel (we all call him Joe). He's 26 and lives in his own apartment. Unfortunately, he visits every day as if he still lives here. He checks up on us all of the time, so it's really like he's never left. Joe is intimidating to a lot of people, and I'd say he's the smartest out of all of us. He is about 6 feet, and his skin is lightly tanned. He has brown hair along with brown eyes. Whereas I am almost pale, I have brown hair, my eyes are a light/dark blue and I'm only 5'6. Short.

"Don't you knock?" I asked, sitting up from my desk chair.

He ignores my question and proceeds to yell at me. "Jade, how many times do we have to call you before you come downstairs!?" I rolled my eyes and leaned back, again.

"I didn't want to get up," I shrugged. He groaned and called for Jake.

Jake is my second oldest brother because he is 23. His body makes him look the oldest, but he's not. Jake has my skin complexion, blonde hair, light blue eyes, and he is 6'1 - adding to the illusion that made him appear as the oldest.

Seconds later, Jake barged into my room and looked at Joe.

"She won't get up, again?" He asked, boredom laced into his voice. Joe nodded, and pointed towards me. I sighed as I already know what's going to happen next.

If you haven't realized, I am very lazy. I've developed a habit of staying put when someone calls me. This habit has taken place a couple of times. Who am I kidding? I do it all the time. In fact, I do it so much that Joe and Jake always react with the same actions. Throwing me over Jake's shoulder and carrying me downstairs. I grew used to it.

Jake hurled me onto his shoulder and walked out of the room, with Joe on his heels.

We reached the living room, and I was placed on the recliner. Dad sat on the seat across from me with a very annoyed expression on his face. He rubbed his temples with his hands and sighed.

"Jade, Sweetie. You can't keep ignoring us like that. When we call you, you're supposed to rush downstairs."

"Sorry, Daddy," I apologize sweetly as I stood up and sat next to him. I kissed him on the cheek and gave him a reassuring smile, which he smiled at. 

My dad is an incredible forty-year-old man. If I had eight kids, I'd probably put myself in a nursing home by then. I don't know how, but he seems to handle us as if he were only taking care of one quiet and innocent child. He has dark brown eyes, and a mix of blonde and brown hair. If you look closely, you could spot a small patch of grey hair behind his ear. It must be the mental stress we all give him. He does surprisingly well for a single parent of eight aggressive and loud off-springs.

"You're forgiven, Dear." 

I looked up at Joe and Jake and stuck my tongue out. They both rolled their eyes in response.

"What did you call me for?" I asked, picking at the lint from his sweater vest. He has a weird thing for sweater vests. They don't look too bad, but I'll never admit it aloud.

"Another family meeting," Joe answered. Dad nodded before calling down the rest of my brothers.

First came down Jonathan. He is two years older than me, making him 18. He is the most formal out of all of us and let's just say that it drives me nuts. He's so polite that it's irritating, and he thinks that he's better than everyone. All in all, I still love him. I have to love him, he's my brother. Jonathan is a little paler than me, also sporting blue eyes, dark brown hair and the height of 5'9. All of my brothers are taller than me, so they often call me Shorty, earning a punch to the gut. Jonathan sat down in the seat that I was previously seated in.

Next came down Jordan. Jordan is the fourth oldest, 20. He makes me feel better because he's the shortest of all of my brothers, 5'8. He is as tan as Joe with the same colored hair and eyes. He is just as rebellious as I am. I've learned from him, actually. He does whatever he pleases. I respect him for that, but his rebelliousness never gets out of hand. He knows his limits and is very responsible. I respect him for that, too.

Jax and Jaden came running down, afterward. They raced to the couch, resulting in Jaden running into the coffee table. Jax and Jaden could almost be twins, other than their age difference and slightly different face structures. Jax is 22, but Jaden is 19. Jax has light brown eyes, but Jaden's are blue. Their hair is the same color, but Jax is 6 feet tall when Jaden is 5'10. The thing about these two knuckleheads is that they are very competitive. One of them has to be better than the other, and this includes frequent races.

Jaden and Jonathan were actually both born in the same year, Jaden in January and Jonathan in December.

Last came down Jay. Most of the time, he's my favorite brother. We respect each other the most. He is just as lazy as me and we share a liking of avoiding people. Our traits and characteristics are similar when our appearance isn't. He has my skin color, light brown hair, brown eyes, and he is 5'11. He's a year older than me, making him 17. We both are very sarcastic and have an enormous love for technology. Jay can't keep his eyes off of his phone, and if mines were in my hands right now, I'd be ignoring everyone.

Of course, he was the last one down. He and I were very slow and we took our time with everything and anything.

"What's up, Shorty?" Jordan asks as he messes up my hair. I punch him in his side-stomach, making him double over. He should know by now.

"Family meeting," Dad announces as he stands up. Jay immediately sat next to me, as he gave me a 'Whats-Going-On' look. I shrugged in reply, and we both turned to Dad.

"I'll be attending Australia for the next-" 

All of us groaned before he could even finish his sentence.

"Is this what you made me stop playing C.O.D for?" Jaden complained.

"You leave for work almost every month, Dad. We know the drill," Jay informed, as he beat his high score on Subway Surfers. 1987654. I awed at his skill, and it didn't go unnoticed. He sent me a wink before starting another round.

"This is different-"

"We know, we know. You'll give us all at least five hundred bucks, and then you'll leave for the month. Nothing new-"

"I'm leaving for the next six months!" Dad's voice rose, and let me tell you, it caught all of our attention. My eyes practically bulged out of my head, as my jaw dropped. Dad never leaves for more than a month. He is an international surgeon and always promises to come back in 4 weeks. 

"That's like five times six... You're giving us thirty hundred dollars, each? This is different." Jonathan mumbled.

Dad being an international surgeon brings in a load of cash, which is my favorite part about his job.

"I know. I never leave for more than a month, but this is the most important offer I've ever been given. They're sending me to Australia to perform on a few unfortunate patients. But along with such a long time away from home, I'll be receiving about six hundred thousand dollars."

"But Daddy, we have enough money. We're living on about a thousand dollars a day, each. What is $600k gonna do?" I whine.

"It's extra money," Dad pointed out.

"Six months is a long time," I pouted my lower lip.

"Stop being a baby!" Jax groans. "This can go to my new motorcycle."

"You have four, already," I mumbled, folding my arms over my chest.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie. This is huge for me, and I don't want to pass this opportunity," Dad sighed.

"When are you leaving?" Joe asked.

"In a couple of days."

All of the boys started talking, and I scoffed. My voice wasn't going to change anyone's mind. I stood up and went to my room, muttering words I knew I'd get in trouble for saying.

The guys babbling downstairs irked me even more. They are all talking about what they'll buy with the money. And they think that I am the spoiled brat.

'WE HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW. YOU CAN LITERALLY GO BUY IT RIGHT NOW!' I wanted to scream, but it will just get me lectured on how rude I was being.

It was only seven at night, and I was bored, so I put on some thick sweats and a heavy coat. My boots were already on, so I grabbed my phone and headed for the first-floor door.

My brothers and my dad all have a problem with me leaving after six. They say its dangerous, but nothing ever happens when I sneak out. (I've only snuck out once before, and the door shut so loud that I was immediately caught.)

I recoiled at the memory of the door slamming shut with a dramatically loud thud. I sped across the street.

The CD store is about three blocks away, so it takes me about ten minutes to get there. I walk fast when I want to.

Out of nowhere, the heavens opened up and sent me a little gift. Freaking hail. I groaned as heavy drops of snowain hit me harder and harder each time. I started speed walking, and in no time reached my destination. I ran into the store and shredded all of the heavy clothing off.

Behind the cash register stood my best friend, Thalia. She looked surprised to see me, but then again who wouldn't. My brothers never let me out this late.

"Jade? What are you doing here?" She ran to me and gave me a hug, closing the door behind me.

"My brothers were annoying," I shrugged, hugging her back.

"They'll kill you," a familiar voice stated, and I rolled my eyes.

"No, they won't, Logan," I hummed.

"Yeah, they will," Thalia said. I huffed and placed my coat on the counter. Thalia and Logan are twins, and they both work at the store after school and on weekends. They don't really look alike, but they sometimes reply in unison. Thalia has hazel blue eyes, and dark red hair and she's thicker than her brother is. Logan has brown eyes and brown hair, with a little muscle. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs.James own the CD shop, which is the only one you'll see open for miles. It's very dull here in Erie, Pennsylvania.

"Why'd you come here? If you're here, then they'll be here in no time!" Logan groaned. He really didn't like most of my brothers, and that's why we are friends.

I sighed and started walking around the aisles, picking at CDs on the racks. 

I brought them to the desk and quickly paid for them.

"You two look bored," I stated, boosting myself on the counter and towards the back of it. Thalia took a seat and sighed.

"I have my best friend coming over in a couple of minutes," Logan said.

"I thought I was your best friend," I playfully frowned.

"Forgive me. My second best friend is coming over in a few minutes," he repeated.

I sent him a wink and he slightly blushed. "Who is he, anyway?" I asked.

"Dean Sutler," Thalia replied. I squinted my eyes and started to play with the cash register.

"Who's Dean Sutler? Why haven't I ever heard of him?"

Soon, the door's bell rattled and a voice echoed throughout the store.

"That would be me," someone says. I turned around and tilted my head. He was tall... really tall. I knew I'd be as tall as a stack of pancakes beside him. He had an intimidating look to him with his sharp green eyes and chiseled features, but if my own brothers can't intimidate me, then no one could.

"Your last name sounds scary. Like your in the mafia or something," I comment, and everyone lets out a low laugh. The taps of the hail on the roof and window make the shop sound even more boring and eerie then it already is. Not only that, but the music is on a low tone so it's like we're all taking place in a haunted scene of a movie.

He walks towards us and puts his jacket on top of my own. I hold out my hand which he awkwardly shakes.

"I'm Jade Samuel."

"I'm-"

"I know who you are. You just told me..." I kissed my teeth and hopped down from the counter.

Dean was really cute, with his hazel eyes and slight stubble. His eyes followed me to the closest CD rack. He spoke with Logan, but I caught his glances now and then.

"JADE!" My eyes widened and I gulped.

"Shiiiitt," Thalia hissed, and I threw her a glare. I hate when people curse around me. I don't know why, but it's been a peeve of mine since I was young.

I jump behind the front desk and hide behind Logan.

The door is thrown open, and in come seven men.

Dean turns around and eyes each and every one of them suspiciously.

"Jade, we know you're in here!" Jax shouts, and I hold my breath. Joe taps on Jordan's shoulder and nods. Jordan smirks as he opens his mouth wide to take in a deep breathe.

"s**t, b***h, ASS HOLE, p***y, d**k, FUCKER, BASTARD, CUNT-"

I yelped as covering my ears didn't work. Every word he said made me cringe and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I walked away from Logan, and all of my brother's faces were red with anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jaden asks as he takes me into his hold.

"Potty mouths!" I exclaim as I take a step back from them and go retrieve my coat before putting it on.

I'm escorted out of the shop with all of my seven "bodyguards" when I gulp at the words that leave Dean's mouth.

"She's pretty cute," he muttered to Logan, making me blush a deep red. All of my brothers turned back to face him. They grit their teeth and take a step towards Dean.

"Leave him alone," I groaned, as I pushed them all out of the store.

"Don't you ever say something like that about my baby sister again!" Jake shouted. Dean didn't look scared at all and sent me a wink, to which I blushed harder.

Jake grunted and launched for Dean, but Joe and Jay pulled him back.

Dean playfully shrugged and squinted his eyes.

"I told you not to-" Jake started but was cut off by Dean.

"You said not to say anything. Never said I couldn't wink." he winked at me again, and everyone except my brothers gasped.

"Do you have a death wish, boy?" Joe asked as it took all of his strength to keep Jake restrained.

"No, I just stated that that girl," he pointed to me, "is cute."

"Stop it," Logan muttered, tugging on his second best friend's shirt.

Dean walked up to me and placed a feather-light kiss on my hand before walking to the back of the store with Logan.

Every single one of my brothers' eyes turned darker. Before we exited the store, I waved at Thalia and told her that I'd see her at school tomorrow. The smile I had on couldn't leave my face.

"Don't get too giddy, Shorty. Your to never speak with that d**k again." Jonathan stated as the rest of them agreed.

"But why?" I whine.

"Why?" All of them looked at me like I had two heads.

"Because we said so," Joe shrugged, as he took on the lead of our way back home. I groaned and continued walking. There's just no joy with these guys on my tail.

"And never sneak out again, or we'll send Dad next time. He doesn't even know about this," Jax scoffs.

"He went to bed after you left and it's taking all of me not to snitch," Jonathan c***s his head to the side.

"You're eighteen, don't you have better things to do than snitch?" I grumble. He raises an eyebrow at my tempting. "Fine, I won't sneak out again."

"Promise?" Jay asked as he put his arm around my shoulder. I nodded in response and all of the guys looked like a 20-pound boulder has just been lifted off of their shoulders.

"Why are you all so protective anyways? Ever since I was eight, you guys turned into brother bodyguards. Even Jay and Jonathan, who were eleven and twelve at the time." All of their bodies tensed up, and I got no answer. I pushed again and repeated my question. The boulders are back.

I sighed and decided to leave them alone for now. There was something that they were hiding, and I make it my number one priority to find out what it is. Later.