by Jenna Jacob
Slowly the tension bled away and they began talking again. While their conversation wove through the lifestyle, it skated along the periphery regarding their own D/s desires.
Stuffed to the gills, Mercy leaned back in her chair. Kellan cleared the table, returning with another pain pill in hand. Though she hated the fuzzy feeling, she relented. Her head was throbbing too harshly to refuse.
“Why don’t you go rest on the couch for a bit. I’ll come sit with you after I clean up the kitchen.”
She nodded and swallowed the pill. Kellan helped her to the family room and onto the luxurious leather couch. He drew a soft cotton blanket over her and kissed her forehead before returning to the kitchen. Mercy listened to the clatter of dishes, silverware, and water running in the other room, feeling a bit guilty for not helping him. But soon the pills kicked in and she floated into a dark abyss.
She woke to the sound of voices somewhere far off in the house. She assumed Kellan was in his office, on the phone, but when she heard a distinct female tone, insecurities, questions, and worries pressed in around her.
Mercy pondered retreating upstairs to the guest room, but the thought of listening to Kellan and some other woman getting down and dirty in his bedroom made her want to hurl. Decidedly, she knew it was better to stay on the couch and pretend to be asleep. At least she’d save herself the agony of rejection.
You don’t have time to sit around and wait for things to play out. You only have seven days!
Though her plan to charm and persuade Kellan to teach her about submission was fraught with holes, Mercy had to remove all obstacles in her way. He didn’t know it yet, but he needed her as much as she needed him. If Mercy had to drive off a million women to convince him of that fact, she would.
Teeming with resolve, she sat up and tossed off the blanket. She stood and straightened both her sweater and shoulders. Striding with purpose, she homed in on the voices and determined them to be coming from Kellan’s office.
Mercy entered the room expecting to find Kellan sitting behind his desk. Instead, he was sitting beside a gorgeous young blonde on a leather love seat by the window…holding her hand.
Mercy’s stomach knotted.
Kellan turned as if sensing her arrival. A look of apprehension crawled across his face. His lips tightened and the blonde stopped talking in mid-sentence and looked Mercy’s way before surprise lifted the other woman’s brows.
Face-to-face with her competition, Mercy’s bravado turned to bullshit.
Embarrassment flooded her system.
No wonder Kellan wasn’t interested in her. Why would he choose a Brooks Brothers suit when he could have Armani?
Mercy felt like a fool.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she murmured. “I heard your voice and thought you were on the phone.”
Liar.
The blonde smirked, her brows still poised high, and slid a sideways glance at Kellan, over to Mercy, then Kellan once more. It was as if the woman didn’t know who to begin interrogating first. Her quizzical expression was replaced by a placid smile.
No doubt one she’d practiced a million times, Mercy thought wryly.
“I didn’t realize you had…company. Why didn’t you say something when I arrived?” the blonde asked.
Kellan’s gaze sliced Mercy like a scalpel. A knowing smile tugged a corner of his mouth as he stood and motioned her into the room.
“Hannah, this is a friend of mine, Mercy O’Connor. Mercy…Hannah.”
Faking a smile that should have earned her an Oscar, Mercy lifted her hand at the younger, thinner, and decidedly more innocent woman. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hannah.”
Another lie.
She quickly shook the bimbo’s hand and dropped it just as fast.
“Last night, when I was out with Mika and some others, an altercation between Mercy and one of her former friends turned ugly.” Kellan replayed the violent events, guarding his Dominant proclivities as well as hers and Genesis, as Hannah’s perfectly waxed brows inched back up her forehead. “So, you see, Mercy will remain here while she recuperates.”
Hannah flashed a sympathetic look her way. Whether the sentiment was real or manufactured, Mercy didn’t know. “Oh, my god. That’s terrible. Should you be up walking around?”
Nice try, bitch. You are high as Willie Nelson if you think I’m leaving this room so you can hike up your skirt and beg Kellan to fuck you over his desk. But go on. Give it your best shot. I dare you!
“Oh, I’m not bed ridden, but last night, Kellan was beyond amazing,” Mercy gushed.
His eyes grew wide for a brief moment as if she’d taken a few too many pain pills.
“I bet he was.” Hannah softly chuckled, leveling an expectant look at the man.
Mercy, too, dragged a look his way, expecting to see him flustered or at least a bit of sweat staining his brow. Instead, he wore a cocky grin.
“I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call it amazing,” he refuted. “Waking you up every four hours to give you pain meds wasn’t what I’d call a hardship.”
“I bet not.” Hannah’s retort dripped in sarcasm. “I’m sure you were the perfect gentleman all night long.”
Yes!
The bottom-feeding bitch had taken the bait…hook, line, and sinker.
“Indeed!” he assured.
“Right.” Hannah rolled her eyes. She wasn’t buying his innocence for a minute.
“Ask Mercy if you don’t believe me. She’ll tell you the truth.” He grinned.
Tell her the truth? Not on your life.
“Oh, for crying out loud,” Hannah chided. “I’m not going to ask her anything, or you, for that matter. I’ve never thought or expected you to…turn into a monk.”
“Thank goodness, because a monk I’m not,” he assured with a little chuckle.
Mercy couldn’t figure out why Kellan found the conversation so amusing. She expected him to be irked she was behaving like a possessive she-cat.
“Don’t!” Hannah held up her hand and scowled at Kellan. “I don’t need to hear another word. I love you with all my heart, but please…just stop.”
Hannah’s vow of love cut Mercy to the core. Like a stone, hope sank deep and fast.
“You’ve never delved into my personal life; I will respect your boundaries as well,” Hannah continued. “Trust me. There are certain things no one wants to hear, especially any detail involving their dad’s sex life.”
“Dad?” Mercy choked.
Dad? What the… Oh, shit!
She gaped at Kellan. “You mean she’s…Hannah is… She’s your…daughter?”
“Of course she’s my daughter. Who did you think she was?” The smile stretched across his face, and the knowing twinkle in his eyes all but screamed, gotcha!
The son of a bitch set her up!
Mercy’s cheeks blazed in anger and humiliation.
The room was suddenly too small and claustrophobic.
Hannah was his daughter? Mercy could only imagine what the poor child was thinking…none of it good. Child, nothing; she and Hannah seemed close to the same age.
Which then raised the question…where was Mrs. Kellan Graham?
Insecurities made Mercy’s stomach swirl in a slow, nauseous circle.
Submissive or not, she needed answers from Mr. Aloof and Elusive, but now wasn’t the time or the place. After Hannah left, Mercy planned to grill the grin right off his face.
Bolstered by self-righteous fury, Mercy let her courage fly. One way or another, Kellan Graham was going to spill his guts, once and for all.
“Mercy? You haven’t answered my question.” Kellan’s voice held that Dominant edge that kicked her bravery to the curb. “Who did you think Hannah was?”
Like a balloon, Mercy’s conviction deflated…sputtering and swirling and landing flat on the damn floor. Kellan knew the green-eyed monster had taken a bite out of her ass…more than one, and he enjoyed the hell out of busting her…bust
ing her like a crack whore on an episode of Cops.
Since the ground refused to open up and swallow her whole like she wished it would, Mercy did the only thing she could do…she pled the fifth with a silent shrug.
Kellan chuckled. “You thought Hannah was my lover, didn’t you?”
“Wait…you thought…that Daddy and I were…” Hannah stammered. “Excuse me, but I think I’m going to go throw up now.”
“Wait!” Mercy cried. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean… I-I. Shit!” Mercy stumbled. How was she going to dig herself out of the sinkhole that was dragging her under? “Honestly. Your dad and I are just friends, and he really was a perfect gentleman last night. I swear.”
Changing the subject might not have been the best decision, but Mercy wanted to clear Kellan’s name and clear up the misconceptions she’d planted in his daughter’s head. And in doing so, if Mercy could repair her own reputation to keep Hannah from thinking her a whore, then all the better.
A smirk tugged Hannah’s lips—the same one Kellan wore from time to time. “Dad’s a grown man. He can do who and what he wants.”
The drama was more than Mercy’s damaged brain could handle. Scrubbing a hand over her forehead, she briefly closed her eyes, attempting to will the throb away. “I think it’s time I lie down for a bit. Hannah, it was nice to meet you. And again, I apologize for interrupting your conversation with Kellan, and, well…for everything.”
“Don’t be silly,” she replied. “You didn’t interrupt anything important. I drop by to bug Dad every chance I get. Don’t worry about the other stuff. I’ve recovered.” She chuckled. “It was nice to meet you, too, and I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Let me walk you up to your room.” Kellan’s tone held the same gentle and caring timbre from last night. Mercy’s heart melted. “I’ll be back in a minute, sweetheart.”
“Take your time,” Hannah replied.
“You really don’t have to. I’m fine,” Mercy protested.
“I don’t want you tripping on the stairs.” Kellan’s firm tone was laced with warning.
Not wanting to cause an even bigger scene, she relented.
He didn’t say a single word until they’d reached the guest room. When she crawled into bed, he bent and covered her. Mercy wrapped her hand around his wrist. “I’m sorry I insulted you in front of Hannah and made a fool of myself.”
“You’re actually worried about how your actions reflect on me, angel?”
“Of course. My stupid jealousy insulted you, Hannah, and me. I’m sorry.”
He studied her for several long, silent seconds before a smile creased the corners of his mouth. “You rest now. I’ll straighten things out with my daughter.”
“Good luck! There’s probably no way you’ll ever convince her that we’re not lovers after what I said. She obviously thinks you’re quite the stud. Guess I’m not the only woman she’s seen wandering into your study early on a Saturday morning.”
“Pull in your claws, angel. Your jealousy’s caused enough trouble for one day.”
“I know,” she grumbled. “I just thought that…if Hannah isn’t the reason you won’t teach me about the lifestyle, then maybe there’s another gorgeous woman who is that reason.”
“No.” He answered.
“Again with the one-word answers. Lovely,” Mercy mumbled under her breath. “Will you at least tell me why? I want to be a better submissive. Is that such a crime? I’m not asking you to date me or get engaged… Hell, I’m not even asking you to collar me.”
“I’ll think about it. Now get some rest.”
“Think about which part?” Mercy pressed. “Actually training me, or telling me why you won’t?”
“Both.”
“Arg!” she growled. “You are the most infuriating man on the planet, you know that? Getting a straight answer from you is like trying to piss up a rope. It’s impossible.”
Kellan grinned. “And training you would be like trying to tame a man-eating tiger.”
“I can be submissive, dammit!”
His grin widened.
Damn, he’s sexy.
Mercy silently barked for her wayward hormones to shut the hell up.
“Then prove it,” Kellan dared.
“Fine. Challenge accepted. I’ll show you that I can be the best submissive on the whole damn planet,” she huffed in a purely un-submissive tone.
Kellan laughed so deep and rich that goose bumps pebbled her arms. Her nipples grew tight. The restless, sexually deprived woman inside roared to life.
“You’re going to have to try much harder than that, angel.”
Yes, Mercy knew that. And the sooner she was better, the sooner she could show him she was worthy of his training and his trust.
“I will prove that I’m submissive and not the man-eating tiger you think I am, Kellan…er, Sir.”
“I look forward to that.” A flash of desire darkened his eyes before he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Sleep, angel.”
“Yes, Sir.” She closed her eyes and listened as his footfalls faded down the hall.
A satisfied smile crept along her lips. Mercy couldn’t wait to show him all the desires yearning to break free from inside her. She’d start as soon as she got some sleep so her annoying headache would go away.
Naked, Mercy knelt on the thick carpet. Kellan stood in front of her…silent as usual. With her eyes cast toward the floor, she studied the laces of his polished black dress shoes in her peripheral vision. He had one strong hand cinched tight in her hair, sending prickles of glorious pain skittering over her scalp. A shiver enveloped her when he traced the outline of her jaw with the tip of his finger.
“You…on your knees, ready to please is such a pretty picture, angel,” Kellan whispered. His voice teemed with pride. “You do want to please me, don’t you?”
“More than anything, Sir.”
Peace and serenity filled her.
“Stand, slut!”
Without warning his voice turned angry and impatient. Something was wrong. She’d screwed up somehow. Mercy hopped to her feet, trembling in fear. When he gripped her chin, pinching the flesh between his fingers and thumb, she bit back a yell.
“Look at me when I talk to you, bitch!” Kellan snarled.
No. No. This wasn’t right. He wasn’t right. Something was wrong with him. He’d never made her feel afraid before.
“Are you deaf, cow?” he spat. “Apologize!”
“I’m sorry, Sir.” Though she had no idea what she was sorry for, the response rolled off her tongue.
“Prove it. Bend over the bed.” His face contorted in rage. When Mercy hesitated, an evil smile crawled across his mouth. “You’re not a submissive at all, are you?”
“I am, Sir. I am.”
“Stop wasting my time and show me. Make me believe you want to please me.”
He released her hair and was suddenly holding a long leather crop. Mercy trembled. She hated the crop.
“You’ll take every lash without making a sound, or I’ll beat you bloody.”
He ignored her whimper of fear and narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you acting like this with me?”
Kellan raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face. White-hot pain enveloped her flesh. She pressed her lips together, holding back a scream. She didn’t want to anger him any further especially when she saw a fiery satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
“Who do you think you are to question me, you stupid cunt? I’m going to enjoy punishing you for that.”
The sound of his icy laughter echoed in her head. As if he suddenly possessed superhuman strength, Kellan shoved her face-first onto the bed. Mercy’s throbbing cheek lay against the scratchy surface of the comforter as silent tears spilled onto the fabric.
“Are you crying for me? Aw, thank you, slut. You remembered how much I love hearing you cry, didn’t you, Symoné? You remember all the wicked things I like to do to you,
right?”
Mercy’s heart felt as if it were going to explode from her chest. She knew that voice. It wasn’t Kellan’s. It was Kerr’s. Terror seized her. Mercy struggled, but she found the courage to raise her head and peer over her shoulder. Kellan was still standing there. Her brain was warped in confusion and fear. Mercy knew in her heart he would never do anything as vile and brutal as this to her. She was sure Kerr had spoken to her. But he wasn’t there…only Kellan.
“What’s wrong, bitch? Having trouble trying to wrap your head around it all?” The sound of Kerr’s evil laughter tore from Kellan’s mouth. “Maybe this will help you figure it out, you ignorant bitch.”
Kellan reached up started tearing the flesh off his face. The shock of seeing chunks of skin fall away sent a wave of nausea through her. Mercy gagged on the bile that burned the back of her throat. She wanted to scream…wanted to squeeze her eyes shut, but she couldn’t.
“I took care of your boyfriend. How else did you think I cut his face off and covered my own with it?”
As Kerr ripped the last piece of flesh and dropped it on the floor, he smiled at her. It was the same terrifying, maniacal grin he’d worn at the courthouse and outside the club.
“I told you I’d be back to drain the life out of you, didn’t I, bitch?” he taunted in a chilling tone. “Well, here I am. I always keep a promise.”
He shoved his knee into her back, holding her in place before he waved a huge sharp knife in her face.
“First, I’m going to fuck your nasty cunt and asshole, then I’m going to start cutting…cutting pieces of your fucking body off and laying them right here on the bed so you can see exactly what I’m doing.” Kerr patted the mattress near her face.
She was going to die a slow and painful death.
Seized with fear, Mercy screamed at the top of her lungs.
CHAPTER SIX
After kissing Hannah good-bye, Kellan climbed the stairs to check on Mercy. Relieved to find her asleep and resting her brain, he knew he should have turned and left the room, but his feet…hell, his whole body refused to cooperate. Instead, he eased into the chair beside the bed and drank in her peaceful, delicate features. A smile tugged his lips as he remembered how adorable she’d looked in his study…jealous as hell and twice as sassy.
