Begging For Mercy

by Mataya, Tamara

  “Family isn’t blood—it’s a choice. And I choose to say goodbye to you.”

  He smirks. “Oh, I don’t think you’d do that to your girlfriend.”

  My heart beats so hard my ears throb. “Do not talk about her.”

  “Well, you’re free to fuck off any time you want. Debt’s pretty near paid—what do we need you for? But Luke? He stays.”

  “Luke’s a big boy. He can decide for himself what he wants from his life and I will make sure he knows it’s his decision. You’ve intimidated him into bad decisions his whole life. That ends now. He’ll be coming with me, and you’re going to forget all about your sons.”

  “Oh, you won’t be here to help make sure Luke’s life improves. You’re going to leave him alone.”

  “Or what?”

  He pats my cheek and scowls when I knock his hand away. “You don’t get to have your way in this, Matty. Be thankful I’m letting you keep your bitch.”

  My hands clench. “You don’t have the power to ‘let’ me do anything.”

  “Don’t I? Let’s you and I think on that, play the possibilities. You can either get on your bike and go, no harm no foul—I’ll forget all about how you’re abandoning your family for some little snobby bitch. Or, you decide to be stupid and try to split the family apart by taking my son away.”

  Why is he suddenly fighting so hard for Luke? I somehow doubt a change of heart has happened, and after all this time he’s going to try to atone for being the world’s worst father. “Like you give a fuck about Luke.”

  “He’s a hard worker. And he owes me after we bailed him out of his recent jam.”

  Bastard. “Oh, I get it. You want to milk it, work him into the ground, probably get him locked up by doing shady shit for you so you can sit on your ass and reap the benefits.”

  He glowers. “Don’t interrupt, it’s disrespectful. The thing you’re not worrying about, is your role in everything that happened these past few weeks. You didn’t think I’d let you get off smelling of roses after rolling around in the shit with us, did you?”

  “What?”

  His confident smile chills my blood. “After your little performance the other night, throwing beer at us—which made it pretty obvious you’ve lost your way—Kingsley and I realized you’re a traitor, and we’re no longer going to treat you as family. If we go down, you go down.”

  Fuck me. He’s got some kind of evidence that could take me down too. He doesn’t realize I’ll gladly pay that price to keep Luke, Andy, and her family safe. I owe them that much at least for my complacent part in all this. “I don’t even care. Whatever you’ve got on me won’t take me out for long. Maybe I get arrested and go to jail for a couple months. I think they’d be more interested in the shit you and Uncle Kingsley have been up to. I’ll go to the cops myself.”

  He grins. “See, the thing is, if something happened to you, whatever would happen to pretty, little Andy? She’d be all by herself. And it’s awfully lonely when you live alone. No, not lonely. What’s the word I’m looking for? Vulnerable.”

  Rage makes me dizzy. “Are you threatening Andy?”

  He smiles. “Stating facts, son. Girl like that’s made a few enemies along the way. Oh, I heard they were calling her ‘Legs’ for a while there. Better than making enemies, is making a few friends. I bet Aaron Samson would love to have a garage in his pocket. Think of the chopping and drug smuggling possibilities. Her family’s pristine reputation? She’d be one of the best things to ever happen to him and his operation. And he’s young, healthy, not a bad looking guy—I bet she’d fall for him since she seems to like a bad boy if your relationship is any indication. But you know, even if that didn’t appeal to her, she wouldn’t even have to agree. His contacts could roll right over her, especially now her brother’s out of commission.”

  I punch the wall by his head, putting my fist through the drywall. “You son of a bitch!”

  He grins. “You try to take us down, we’re going to bring you, your brother, and that sweet little bitch of yours down with us. Maybe the rest of her family too, seeing as how you care so much about the Perrises.”

  Rage paralyzes my vocal cords.

  It would be so easy to take him down, punch the hate off his face. I actually take a step forward before a tiny part of me that’s strived to be better than him reins in my anger with logic.

  I don’t stop because it’s wrong to hit him.

  I stop because I’d never be able to stop once I started punching him. I’d hit him, and kick him, and I wouldn’t stop until he wasn’t breathing.

  I’d never ever feel bad about it, and I’d never be able to look Andy in the eyes again because by doing that to this miserable piece of shit, I’d become him.

  I slam out of the house before I do something I won’t regret.

  What the hell am I going to do to fix this?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Andy

  The air seems sweeter when I leave the police station, and not because a drunk puked some kind of fruity cooler in the hallway by the door.

  They were very glad to get the DVD I made of the footage of Matt’s dad trespassing and screwing with my bike, directly causing my brother to crash. The detective promised to give me a call and keep me updated about the case. His smile was warm and his handshake enthusiastic. Matt’s dad hasn’t made many friends in this city.

  At a stop light, I text Matt, telling him to come over as I have a surprise for him. The best part of all is knowing I’m buying freedom for Matt from his horrible father. The man never gave a shit about his kids, was never there for them growing up and no wonder they were little bad asses. The only example they had was a bad one.

  I’m all smiles driving along in the sunshine, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel in time to the music on the radio. I can’t wait to tell Matt his dad is finally going to pay for something he’s done.

  And Patch is going to be ecstatic as well. Once the pain meds wear off.

  Maybe I’ll stop by the hospital later, smuggle something sweet past that grumpy nurse to cheer him up. Some mini cupcakes or something with frosting.

  There’s a truck waiting for me when I get home.

  Kingsley Mercy looks a lot like Matt’s dad. There isn’t an ugly member in that family, which probably helps them get away with more than they should. A good looking face and some oily charm goes a long way.

  I keep a safe distance. “What do you want?”

  “Pleased to formally meet you as well.” His tone drips sarcasm.

  “I know what you did to my brother.”

  “It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.”

  I say nothing.

  It doesn’t go unnoticed. “You think your life is perfect, don’t you? You think you’ve got it all figured out.”

  “Why are you here, again?”

  “To give you a few hard truths.”

  I snort. “You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you in the ass.”

  “I know my nephew pretty damn well.”

  Unease at this turn quakes through me. “No, you don’t.”

  “He cares about his brother, not you. You’ve known each other for ten minutes. You’re just another bitch in a long line of women trying to be with him.”

  Relief punches through my gut. His argument is laughable. “What Matt and I have is exactly none of your business.”

  “He tell you why he came back to town?” I say nothing and he continues. “Thought not. It was for his brother, not you.”

  “For your information, I already know about Luke being attacked—Matt told me about it himself. Matt was supposed to meet me and stood me up because Luke was in the hospital and he had to be with him. We’re honest with each other and what we have is real.”

  “Yeah?” He scrolls through his phone and thrusts it in my face. “Because what day was that, honey? After this?”

  It’s a conversation that started days before Matt stood me up. More like two weeks, actually
, starting with Kingsley telling Matt Luke was fucked up and to get his ass home.

  Matt lied to me.

  On its own, it’s not the biggest deal. He lied about his brother being hurt. He stood me up on our date and instead of coming clean about why he never showed—and what was the real reason?—he used his brother’s attack as his get out of jail free card, exploiting my sympathy for a second chance.

  Why would he lie about that? It doesn’t matter, I’ll listen to Matt and no one else in his family.

  Matt’s uncle’s smiles has no warmth in it. “He’s been playing you the whole time.”

  “Playing me?”

  “The only reason he came back here was to bail Luke out of his debt.”

  “What debt?” Curiosity forces the question out despite myself. I’d thought he was working, but to pay off Luke’s hospital bill.

  “Luke owed some people some money. Drug bust. And they took it out on him physically when he took too long paying for the product that didn’t get delivered. Matt had to get involved.”

  That day at the bar when he was meeting Aaron Samson, that’s what he was doing! No wonder he looked tense to see me and didn’t apologize then or want me to stay. This news only makes Matt look good; he cared about his little brother and keeping him safe.

  This had to have been what Matt meant when he said he’d done some things he wasn’t proud of since coming back to town. How illegal did he go trying to raise the money for the debt? My heart hurts for him. He struggled so hard to rid himself of that old life, the old reputation and he had to dive right back in to save his brother. “So what if he did some bad things for a good reason? You think that’s going to make me think less of Matt knowing he’s done some illegal things to help his brother? You’re wrong. It only make me love him more for the man he is despite the shit he grew up in.”

  Kingsley smiles and shakes his head. “Are you this stupid? You think that was all we had him do?” He looks me up and down and nausea overtakes my sense of righteous indignation on Matt’s behalf.

  “What?”

  “You were the perfect target. Little girl in the races trying to be a bad ass. You were taking purses Matt needed to win for Luke, so we decided the best thing was to take you out. It was Matt’s idea to make it personal. We’d have just burned your garage down, but he said he’d make you forget all about racing. When was the last time you raced? Looks like he was right.”

  I swallow the hot bile that rises and swirls in the back of my throat. “I raced the other day.”

  “And before that?”

  Maybe I have been racing less since seeing Matthew, but I’ve been busy.

  Kingsley presses his point, driving knives of uncertainty into my chest. “Matt didn’t want you, he wanted to distract you.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Why would I lie?”

  “Because you think I’m a threat.”

  “To what? Luke’s debt is almost gone. Your brother’s not in the way anymore.”

  I flinch at the mention of Patch. “Fuck you. Don’t you dare talk about my brother, you piece of shit.”

  “And there it is.” He steps forward. “You think you’re better than we are and that’s exactly why Matt screwed you. And screwed you.” He raises his eyebrows. “We used him to use you, and now we’re the ones reaping the benefits while your life is rubble.”

  “A bit dramatic, don’t you think? Besides, I don’t believe you.” I toss my hair, hating how the words come out hollow.

  He hands me his phone again, showing texts between him and Matt’s dad, discussing me like I’m nothing, talking about Matt fucking me so I get so distracted I stay out of their way. I thrust his phone back at him, wiping my hands off on my jeans like the texts have seeped into my skin and tainted me. They go back to our first date.

  He tilts his head. “Is it dramatic? Maybe, but they say the truth is stranger than fiction. You’ve no boyfriend, no bike, no brother, no races. I’d say you’ve been knocked down a couple pegs, you snobby cunt.” He hops in his truck with a smile on his face, and takes off down the street.

  Once inside, I lock the door, unable to stop my thoughts from tumbling around with my emotions. Logic and emotions war with one another. Matt lied, but not about everything. Not about us. Not like that.

  Right?

  You can’t fake being in love like he is. If he’s guilty of anything, it’s of not telling me the whole truth about the shady things he was doing. It’s of saying he was severing ties with his family and then not severing them, but that’s not a deal breaker. Even if his dad and uncle are evil, he probably wanted to be there for his brother.

  Who he lied to me about.

  What’s even happening? Why would he need to lie about that? Why had he stood me up that day? Because there was nothing to be gained, and I was easier to manipulate if he made me feel exposed and unwanted? Was it all a game for him after all?

  I refuse to believe the doubt gnawing my gut. Love is a choice, a commitment to making yourself better for the person you’re with. The texts were between his dad and uncle and neither of them want Matt to be happy. The dates went back long enough for it to seem legitimate, but they were between two manipulative assholes.

  I have to talk to him and see what he has to say for himself.

  Either way he’s going to be glad I handed the tape over to the cops. The sooner his dad is locked away, the better, as he seems to be the ringleader. Once he’s gone, Matt’s uncle will probably crawl back under whatever rock he came from.

  WHEN MATT KNOCKS ON my door an hour later, I’ve composed myself and come up with a plan. I’ll say nothing—actions are what count. Matt’s reaction will reveal everything.

  “Hey.” I kiss him like I have no idea about any of the things his uncle told me about.

  He holds me too tight, but pulls back first. “Hi. What’s up?”

  “I have some good news. Come in.”

  “Is it about Patch?”

  “Sort of.” I lead him in and sit on the couch. “Sit!”

  “I’d sort of rather stand.” There’s a wildness in his eyes, and his movements have a strange jerkiness, like he’s caged and wants out. Does he know? Does he know that I know?

  “I sent the footage to the cops,” I plunge ahead.

  “You what?” he explodes, striding to me. “Why the hell would you do that?”

  Not the happy reaction I was hoping for. “Why are you mad? I thought you’d want me to be safe.”

  He grabs his head, growling frustration, and bending slightly at the waist. “Why? Why would you do this without telling me?”

  “Why do you care?” His dad has this coming. “Are you forgetting he hurt my brother?”

  “You have no idea what you’ve done. This fucks everything up so hard. I have to go.”

  I grab his arm. “I thought you’d be happy to get him out of your life so we could move on without him in it. I did it for our brothers. For all of us. Because I love you.”

  “We have no future, Andy, don’t you get it?” He shakes my hand off. “Everything was for nothing. Everything I did.”

  He leaves like he’s on a mission when he’s already completed one—destroying me.

  Pain crackles across my skin, explodes inside my chest. Uncertainty shatters the floor from beneath my feet to the point I can’t even move from the couch for fear of falling through the ground even an hour later.

  What’s real in my life?

  Was Matt playing me the whole time?

  No. He loved me.

  He yelled at me for turning in proof of his dad trying to kill me to the police.

  I saw the love in his eyes when he made love to me.

  I saw the fear in his eyes before he stormed out and left me alone.

  He convinced me I mattered, made me believe he cared about me. I thought our futures were entwined.

  Actions speak louder than words. His uncle told me it was all a lie, a set-up to get me out of their way. Matt’s va
lidated those shameful, ugly words.

  From its spot on the coffee table, my phone buzzes, breaking the spell of paralysis by pain, and my heart tears open, spilling tears down my cheeks.

  If Matt wasn’t in league with them, he’d have been happy about what I did. Instead, he was mad I turned the information over.

  Why would he do this to me?

  How am I supposed to get over what he did?

  How the hell will I get over him?

  My wordless screams of agony are swallowed by the couch.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Matthew

  I shouldn’t have yelled at her.

  She was actually proud about what she’d done, and it’s what needed to happen—if it wasn’t for the threats hanging over us. That asshole hurt her brother, tried to hurt her, and he should be behind bars, but she has no idea her actions have set in motion the worst possible outcome for her and her family.

  Dad’s words echo through my mind and I drive a little faster than I should, silently praying I won’t get pulled over. If Dad goes down, I go down, Luke gets arrested, Samson gets tipped off—if Dad hasn’t already somehow put Andy in his sights—and Andy and her family are left sitting in the open, free game for any and all assholes who want to hurt her. I’ve got to get home and figure something out, talk to Dad and see if he’ll leave Andy alone if I do anything in exchange, I don’t know what. I don’t care what. I’ll do whatever it takes.

  I will dive head-first back into the cesspool I clawed my way out of if it means keeping her safe. Even if I have to make a deal with Aaron Samson myself.

  I’ll apologize to her later after I’ve figured this out, because as soon as this is sorted, I’m not leaving her side until I know she’s safe.

  Dad’s car is still there when I roar up to the house. The front door slams into the wall as I push inside as fast as I can. “Dad!” No answer. Shit, am I too late?

  Luke rushes from the kitchen to see who’s yelling and shakes his head when he sees it’s me. “You looking for Dad?”