Quinn POV

"Well if it isn't my two favorite girls. Its about time you showed up. I was starting to get worried. In fact, I was beginning to think I'd have to send out a search party to find the two of you. What happened? Did you get lost on your way to the kitchen?" Miah said with a laugh. I rolled my eyes at him and Bella stuck out her tongue at him. Instantly Jeremiah's face changes from playful to irritated. "You had better put that tongue back in your mouth before you lose it."

At this, Bella beings to whimper and buries her head in my shoulders. I glare angrily over at Jeremiah as I rub circles on Bella's back in an
effort to soothe her. "Shhh. It's alright Baby. I'm sure the Joker, was just teasing weren't you Jeremiah?"

At this, Bella glances over at Jeremiah who shrugs "maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. Behavior like that won't be tolerated so if she doesn't want to lose her tongue she'd best keep it where it belongs."

Again Bella buries her head in my shoulder and begins to whimper. "What is your problem?"
I hiss at him. Jeremiah shrugs. "She's just a baby. She doesn't know any better."

"That's just it, she isn't a baby. She's 16 and she needs to start acting like it. We are not going to cater to this behavior any longer. Now put her down. She's capable of walking herself."

I frown but do as he asks Bella whimpers from the loss of contact. She tugs on my sleeve. I glance down at her. "Mama me hungwy. Want baba?"

"No. No more bottles or a binkies. You are not a baby Bella, your 16 going on 17 and it's time you started acting your age. And stop calling Quinn Mama. She's not your mother. She never has been and she never will be. I know for a fact, that she doesn't feel comfortable with you calling her that."

"Jeremiah let her be."

"Quinn, you know that I respect and welcome your opinion but when it comes to my sister's welfare the decisions concerning her are mine and mine alone. So butt out."

I could hear Echo laugh in the background. "Do you find something funny Echo?"

"I think it's adorable how the two of you quarrel like an old married couple. It's quite amusing that you think that you can challenge Mista J. If I were you Miss Harlequin, I would give up."

"How many times must I tell you don't calling me Harlequin?"

"Sorry Miss Harlequin, but my orders come from the boss. He said to call you Harlequin from now on. If you don't like it take it up with him. Now if you'll excuse me I have some work to do."

"Your enjoying this aren't you?"

"Maybe I am."

Before I could respond a loud growl was heard and we all turned to see Bella her eyes flashing in anger. "Oops. Did I forget to mention that Bella gets quite cranky when she doesn't get her bottle on time?"

With that, I can't help but laugh as she grabs book after book and throws it at Echo and Jeremiah. "Bella! Bella stop that this instant! Bella if you don't stop that right now I won't hesitate to punish you." At this Bella's eyes flash in anger again and she continues to throw anything and everything within reach.

Upon hearing Jeremiah's threat to punish her Bella let's out a deep growl. "Me want me baba!" Bella screams as she throws another book.

"I bet Jerome would love to see this. This would be so much better with popcorn."

"A little help here?"

I sigh "alright I suppose I should help you. Come on Bella." With that I scoop her up just as she grabs a book end which she throws directly at Jeremiah hitting him in the back of the head.

"On second thought, bring her too me."

I look at Jeremiah skeptically. "Why?"

"It's time she learns that behavior like this won't be tolerated. If she wants to act like a baby then she will be punished like one."

"Absolutely not. While I agree that throwing things is a no no for her, I refuse to allow you to spank her."

"How many times must we go over this? Mista J is Bella's legal guardian. He and he alone decides what's best for her."

"Pooh bea what's a spanking?"

"Have Quinn put you down and come on over here and I'll show you." Jeremiah replies with a sadistic smile.

"I've got a better idea. How about you and Echo show her what one is instead?"

"Why Quinn, I didn't know you were into that kind of thing. As for Echo, I'd much rather spank you instead. But as fun as that sounds, Bella needs to learn first hand what a spanking is don't you agree?"

I can feel my cheeks heating up. "No and that's not what I meant and you know it. Besides, even if she deserves to be spanked, she should be given a warning first."

"She was warned Quinn. She didn't listen and now she must pay the consequences. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time I teach my baby sister a lesson. One she won't soon forget or would you prefer to take her place?" Jeremiah replies with a sinister smile."

I sigh. "Very well lets get this over with but not to hard and not too many."

Jeremiah smiles in satisfaction and gives a slight nod in acknowledgment as he hands  Bella over to Echo who takes her over her knee. "You know Quinn your a hypocrite, after all that talk about how we should be protecting Bella from harm your letting me punish her as I see fit."

My eyes narrow and I gritt my teeth. "When I said let's get this over with I was talking about you spanking me idiot!" I hiss at Jeremiah who smirks at me.

"I know. Two things before I allow Echo to start Bella's punishment, one you should have been more specific my dear, and two, I knew that you'd want to take Bella's spankings. This punishment is more for you then it is for her. You have to learn not to challenge my authority Quinn, especially in front of Bella. She's very impressionable and if she sees you getting away with challenging me she's going to want to as well. Bella, we don't throw things at Echo or Quinn or myself or any other adult. Is that clear?" With that, Echo's hand came down hard upon Bella's behind. It broke my heart as Bella let out a wail and tried to cover her behind but Echo grabbed her hands and held them. "No Bella you mustn't cover your behind. This is what a spanking is and we are not done yet."

"Jerome would have never spanked Bella. Not even to punish me."

At this, Jeremiah turned to face me his eyes flashing in anger. "Stop comparing me to that no talent freak!"

"Why don't you make me?"

Within seconds, Jeremiah had me by my throat. "Don't you ever compare me to Jerome again!"

Instantly and much to the shock of both Jeremiah and Echo, I had flipped Jeremiah over. "You should have let me take Bella's spankings."

"As fun as that sounded you and I both know that Bella will never learn to respect me if I had done that. I can't believe how strong you've gotten. What happened to that shy sweet little circus girl that I fell in love with all those years ago?"

"All I know is that since I've gotten my legs back, I feel better and stronger then I ever have."

Jeremiah smiled and then walked over to where Echo held Bella. As she handed Bella over to him Bella began to whimper. "Please nu mowa spankies. Me sowwy me was bad. Me is a bad little bwat. Me nu desewve you lobe."

"Oh come on Mista J, don't tell me your going to fall for that? She's just trying to avoid finishing being spanked. She behaved like a spoiled little brat. she needs to learn if she going to behave like a brat then she's going to be treated like one." Echo replies.

"I'm not going to spank you Bella and neither is Echo."

"Aww why not boss? Your being far to lenient with her. She deserves to be punished for her behavior. I mean look at this mess."

"What is your problem Echo? Why do you hate Bella so much?"

At this Echo scoffs. "Maybe it's because she behaves like a brat."

"Honestly, for someone who is as brilliant as you are Echo, sometimes you can be really dumb. Have you ever considered the fact that maybe Bella acts out because you call her a brat? While I agree, that she should not get away with throwing a temper tantrum, I don't believe spanking is the best way to deal with the situation. Bella is a toddler she doesn't know any better. She needs to know that she's loved. Is she going to test her limits to see what she can and can't get away with? Definitely. But you need to handle these situations carefully. Bella needs to know that she can trust you. Both of you."

"I am not going to coddle the little brat." Echo replies rolling her eyes at me.

"You should at least try and get along with her. If not for her sake, then for Jeremiah's."

"Fine whatever."

"Bella, Babydoll, I am sorry. This isn't how I wanted to start our relationship but you gave me no choice."

"Don't call me that! Only Jewome and Pooh Bea can call me that."

"Well Jerome isn't here now is he? Perhaps I went a little overboard by allowing Echo to spank you. As your big brother, I should be looking out for you. I should never let anyone hurt you." Jeremiah said sweetly but Bella shook her head.

"You is nu me bwotha! Me only has one bwotha and he went bye bye. Me wish Jewome was hewa and nu you. Me wish you had gone bye bye instead. Me hates you! Me want Jewome!" Bella whimpers and Jeremiah lets out a loud irritated growl grabbing Bella by the arm.

"You do not talk to me with such disrespect young lady! I am your brother! I'm the only family you have left! It's time you accept that! Jerome is gone and he is never coming back! Do you understand?"

"Nu! Me want Jewome! Me hates you! You is a monsta! Me wish you would go bye bye and leabe me alone!" Bella replies hitting Jeremiah in the chest. Suddenly a loud slap filled the room. Bella's eyes filled with tears once more. I turned to see Bella place a hand on her now reddening cheek.

"Me hate you!" She whispered.

"What just happened?"

"I think the boss's patience has worn thin." Echo replies. "This aught to be interesting.

"I consider myself a responsible man. I have set certain rules and I expect those rules to be obeyed Bella. You are never to mentioned our brothers name again is that clear?" Bella glared at Jeremiah definitely and stuck her tongue out at him. "So help me Bella, I am going to get through to you and if this is the only way then so be it."

"Hay Harlequin, if I were You I'd stop him before he does something that he's going to regret."

Before I had a chance to get over to where Jeremiah and Bella stood I heard the sound of leather hitting flesh. Bella let out an ear splitting wail. "You will NOT disrespect me again!"

"Me sowwy me was bad."

"Sorry isn't good enough this time. I gave in too easily last time. You will never learn to respect me if I give in each time you say sorry." With that he brought the belt down upon her back again.

"Me want me mama."

At this, Jeremiah chuckled cruelly. "Our mother hated you. Her favorite past time was using not only a belt on you but also a whip. Lila might not have been much of a mother, but she was right about one thing, if you spare the rod you spoil the child. She always knew how to keep you in line." With that Jeremiah brought the belt down upon Bella's backside once more.

"Jeremiah please stop. If you need to take your anger out on someone then taken it out on me don't hit Bella anymore."

"Sorry my sweet Harlequin, not this time. Bella needs to learn behavior of this kind wont be tolerated. She needs to learn to respect me."

"Jeremiah, please think about everything that she's been through recently. She lost Jerome only a few months ago. I know your going to hate this, but the truth is, that You haven't been there for her like Jerome was. Children don't have the experience needed to deal with emotional crisis so they act out on their feelings instead. For Bella, it's a desire to want her loving brother back. It hurts her to know that he's not returning."

"So she said what she did because she afraid of being abandoned?" I nod.

"Bella, it's ok to be angry with Jerome for leaving us. It's ok to be angry that he left you with a brother that you barely know. It's ok to feel hurt and betrayed. But you need to face those feelings instead of taking them out of Jeremiah. He only wants to what's best for you."

"Then why him huwt me? Jewome nu eba huwt me."

At this, Jeremiah's gaze grew dark once more. "I told you stop comparing me to him! This will teach you do as your told." With that he brought the belt down upon Bella's back once more.

"The only thing she's learning from this experience is to fear you Jeremiah."

Upon seeing Bella's terrified gaze Jeremiah immediately dropped the belt. "What have I done? Bella Baby, I am so sorry. I can't believe that I did this. Ever since I was sprayed with Jerome's insanity gas I've said and done things that I never would have done otherwise."

"So the gas did have an effect on you." I whispers to myself but then what he said registers. He's blaming Jerome for his hurting Bella. "Don't you dare blame Jerome for this! Even if the gas did have some sort of mental effect on you, that's no excuse for what you've done. Jerome would have never done anything to cause Bella harm. This," I reply pointing towards Bella and the belt. "This is solely on you. Bella is afraid of you because of what you have done. It is going to take a lot of time before she will ever truly trust you. Come on Baby, lets get you something to eat and then I will give you a nice warm bath and then we can go down for a nap ok?"

"Nu. Nu wanna bafh and me nu wanna nap. Me nu sleepy. Me wanna stay up and play."

WC 2530