Alder huffed. “So damn stubborn.”
Stubborn…or fiercely independent. I had a feeling it was the latter. “I get that.”
“So you’d better decide how you’re going to play this,” Alder said. “Because we’re already spread thin, and adding even more security to Main Street because she won’t move and you’ve brought attention to her is a problem.”
“I’ll take care of it.” How, I had no idea. But I would. I’d follow through on my promise to get Beckett a bike, then I could begin to figure out how to get out from under Cartel’s thumb and maybe—just maybe—convince Mercy to give me a shot.
Fuck, I never would have thought it possible, but dealing with Cartel might have been the easier of the two non-bike-related tasks.
“You planning on telling us where you and Deacon snuck off to?” Gage asked, piquing my interest and pulling my attention from the shit situation I was likely about to find myself in to whatever Alder had been dealing with.
“We were in Vegas.” Alder shrugged, ever the good liar, but a liar nonetheless. I saw right through that bullshit line.
“Not that one,” I said, knowing that had been the excuse he’d used when he’d headed out to save Jinx from the Soul Suckers. Not that she had been his mission—her presence had been more of a surprise than anything. Still, that was how I saw the situation and why I felt I owed him as much as I did. He’d picked up the pieces when I’d failed. I wouldn’t forget that. I also wouldn’t forget that he’d disappeared with Deacon for a whole damn day. “You and Deacon went running off again. Anything I need to know?”
“We were out hunting.”
No way was that the truth. “Get anything good?”
The smile that crept across his face was one filled with pride. “Sure did. Got exactly what we needed to.”
Gage furrowed his heavy brow. “I have no idea what we’re talking about.”
“You watch the news?” Alder asked, looking from Gage to me and back again.
I could only shrug. “Not often.”
“You might want to. And hey, my brother Bishop’s in town with his girl Anabeth, in case you didn’t know. You should meet him.” With that, he strolled away as if he hadn’t just lied his way through our conversation then dropped a bit of a bomb on me. Another brother? How many Kennards were there?
Gage seemed just as unhappy about what had just happened as I did. “I don’t like this.”
Me neither. “Feeling left out of all the fun?”
“A little bit.” His head whipped around as his girl Katie laughed, his eyes zeroing in on her as his lips twitched once. As if wanting to smile but holding it back. So whipped.
“Enjoy it, man,” I said, unable not to take a good long stare at Mercy as she walked away from Beckett. “You’ve got a good woman to take care of. Focus on that.”
“I am,” Gage said, still watching Katie. “Believe me, I am.”
I patted him on the shoulder then followed after Mercy, who’d headed for the kitchen. Alone. Time to take the first step, which included walking through those swinging doors into the back of Katie’s restaurant. Mercy didn’t hear me enter, too focused on whatever she was doing to pay attention. I took a moment to look her up and down—to really take in how her jeans hugged her ass, how her shoulders and back tapered to a narrow waist before flaring again at her hips. The woman was pure sex appeal, all feminine and soft, with curves for days and legs that didn’t quit. She also had a backbone of damn steel. I was attracted to both sides of her. And I never had been a patient man.
“Beckett sure does have a lot of friends in Justice.”
Mercy jumped, spinning with a pile of dirty plates in her arms, her light eyes and full lips opening wide. “Jesus, Parris. You scared me.”
Yeah, I obviously had. I closed the distance between us, taking the plates from her arms and setting them on the counter before pinning her against it. Blocking her escape from me just for a minute. Needing a moment with her full attention on me.
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“No?” she asked, all breathy and wild. Definitely liking my closeness. “What was your intention, then?”
“Just to spend a little time with you. Alone.”
“Oh.”
That was all I got—one syllable. But it was more than I needed because her body was having a full-on conversation with mine. Breaths coming fast, cheeks pinked, and a slight arch to her back, pushing her closer to me. Yeah, that hot little body of hers was talking all right, and I definitely liked what it was saying.
I reached out and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, palming her neck. Feeling her pulse under my thumb and the same damn rhythm through my cock. “The things I want to do to you, beauty…”
She licked her bottom lip, her eyes locked on my mouth, her expression so damn needy. I broke. I’d wanted to kiss that mouth—to taste the sweetness of her—since the first moment I’d met her. Wanted to know how those plush, pink lips felt against mine since I’d seen them through the glass at the hardware store. I refused to hold back another second.
So I did exactly what I wanted to—I kissed her. Grabbed her around the waist and yanked her into my arms as I practically bent her backward. Pressed my lips to hers and ran my tongue along her bottom one, making her open for me before plunging my way inside. Overpowering her and running the kiss like a military operation—with speed and power and decisiveness. And good goddamn, she tasted as sweet as I’d imagined. So hot and soft and delicious. I couldn’t stop myself; I had to have more. Needed it. I picked her up and set her ass on the counter before pulling her closer to me. Bringing us together from shoulder to hip. Trapping my hard cock between us and rocking into her as I gripped her hips and held her in place. Moving against her like a man possessed because that’s what I was—overtaken by her. Completely out of control.
And I loved it.
At least, until she yanked herself away from me and shoved me backward. “Stop.”
Ice water straight to my balls would have been more comfortable than the sound of her voice in that moment. I took a step away, licking the taste of her from my lips. Fighting to catch my breath.
“Okay,” I said, holding my hands up and taking another deliberate step back. Giving her room to escape if that’s what she wanted, even though I definitely didn’t. “I stopped.”
“You can’t just go around kissing random women.” She slid off the counter, flushed and shaky and obviously affected but also mad as hell. Stubborn didn’t begin to describe her—Mercy Bell was goddamned pigheaded.
But I could be just as dogged and determined as her. “Trust me, beauty. There was nothing random about that kiss.”
Her cheeks darkened, and she refused to look in my eyes. “I don’t like people taking from me without asking.”
That statement dropped a lead ball right into my gut. I nearly growled, ready to burn the fucking world down. “Did someone hurt you?”
“What?” She cocked her head, her eyes going wide when she understood where my rage was coming from. “Oh no, nothing like that. I just—”
“Because I will kill the fucker for you.”
“Stop. You will not.”
I would, but she obviously didn’t need me to do so. “Then what do you mean by take? Because where I’m from, sweetheart, the definition isn’t one that instills a sense of calm.”
At least, not in relation to her. The women Edge and Ravel used—the ones they drugged and fucked and left behind when they grew bored—floated through my mind. Guilt. So much fucking guilt weighing on me for not doing more. For accepting the bullshit as standard practice. For participating. But I could do better. Mercy made me want to be better. When it came to her, I’d do anything to make sure she never got taken advantage of. Not even by me.
Mercy, meanwhile, seemed to be calming down. She even shrugged a single shoulder in response to me. “I just meant, if I wanted you to kiss me, I’d ask you to.”
Well, that sounded…a
ppealing. “Okay. So, ask.”
Those eyes flashed, that ornery trait of hers showing itself once more. “Maybe I don’t want you to kiss me.”
I stalked closer, caging her in against the counter again but not touching her. Not taking from her in any way. Playing the game by her rules this time. “Oh, you want me to, Beauty. I can tell.”
“Bullshit.”
“That naughty mouth. But fine. I’ll wait for you to ask next time.” I ran a finger along her bottom lip, then took a step back. Releasing her once more. “Want help with these dishes?”
She crossed her arms, raising that chin up in an act of defiance. “I won’t be asking.”
“For help with the dishes?” I grinned, leaning against the counter at my back. Casual as fuck but with intention. “No need to. I’m offering my services to you.”
“I meant for a kiss. I won’t be asking for a kiss. From you.”
That slip, that almost stutter of her words—she’d be asking all right. And soon.
I shook my head and edged past her toward the sink, making sure to brush along her arm and sending her a cocky grin when I saw her shiver. “Yeah, you will. It won’t take you too long either.”
Not soon enough, though. She didn’t ask right then, instead falling in beside me to load the dishes into the industrial cleaner after I rinsed them. We worked well together, quiet but not needing more conversation. Soon enough, all the dishes were loaded and the kitchen set back to rights, which was both a blessing and a curse. The party was over. Time to go back to my reality, while she and Beckett returned to theirs. Without me.
“Come on,” I said as I held open the kitchen doors for her. “Say goodbye to your guests, and I’ll walk you and Beckett home.”
“We don’t need you to guard us.”
So damn stubborn. “You may not need it, but I’ll worry if I don’t see you safely home. Besides, my momma raised me to be a gentleman.” I leaned into her, moving nice and close so I could whisper in her ear. “She also raised me to take care of what was mine. That means I’ll be walking you home, beauty.”
She pulled away but didn’t leave. Didn’t argue with me. Instead, she nodded once before turning for where Beckett sat with Gage at the bar. Not without one last shot, though. “I’m never going to be yours, Parris.”
My grin kicked up as Gage caught my eye, obviously having heard that. Yeah, she was stubborn. But so was I.
“We’re all cleaned up,” I said. “Once everyone’s gone, I’ll walk these two home.”
Gage glanced down at Beckett then over to Mercy, who didn’t say anything to dispute my offer. I considered that a win.
“Sounds good.”
Ten minutes and a handful of goodbyes later, Gage held the back door open for us as we left for the evening. Mercy walked a step in front of me, that head held high and her eyes focused anywhere but on me. Beckett…well, he was a softer touch.
“So, Sunday, Mister Parris?” the little boy said, practically bouncing down the alley. “That’s when we’ll go get my new bike?”
“Sunday. I have your mom’s number, so I’ll let her know when I’ll be here for our trip.”
“And we’ll go to a real bike store? One that sells lots of bikes?”
“Yep. It’s over in Crystal Falls.” I glanced at Mercy, shrugging. “It’s supposed to be one of the best in the area for mountain bikes.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. And still totally avoiding my gaze. “Sounds good. We’ll need to get you a helmet, buddy.”
“Aw, Mom. Why?”
“I wear a helmet,” I said. “Smart dudes wear helmets—you only get one brain.”
Beckett gave me a thoughtful look, then shrugged. “So long as it’s a cool helmet. Maybe they have an Iron Man one.”
And with that, the crisis of protective headgear had been averted. Score one for Team Parris.
When we reached the rear entrance to their building, Beckett grabbed my hand and tugged. “Want to come upstairs? Mom has a computer—we can look at the bikes on the website.”
But as much as I definitely wanted to, I had a feeling Mercy needed a break from me. She’d been quiet since our kiss, and I didn’t want to push her. Not yet.
Luckily or not, just as I opened my mouth to answer, my phone rang. Loud and jangly, the sound shattered the stillness of the night and brought Mercy’s eyes to mine. And she did not look happy.
“You should get that.”
I reached into my pocket and silenced the device, holding her gaze. Not even glancing at the screen so I could make a point to her—she was my priority in that moment. “I’ll call them back once I get you two inside—I’m sure it’s work.” I threw her a quick grin then dropped down to come face-to-face with her son. “Thanks for the invite, Beckett, but I should pass tonight. I’ll be here on Sunday though, okay?”
I held out my fist for a bump, but the kid didn’t offer his in return. Instead, he dove for me, practically throwing himself into my arms and almost knocking me off-balance.
“Okay,” he said before squeezing and hugging me with everything he had. “Thanks for the coolest birthday ever.”
My heart shattered and reassembled itself, the boy taking up a huge portion of it as I hugged him back. “You’re welcome, little man. Be good for your mom.”
“I’m always good.” He dropped to his feet, heading inside the door his mom held open for him.
Mercy watched him race up the stairs before turning my way once more. “Thanks for coming.”
I rose to my feet, craving a closeness with her she wasn’t ready to give. Wanting so badly for her to ask me for a goodbye kiss even as I knew there was no way that was happening. I’d never been a patient man, but this woman was going to force me to learn. And I planned on being an eager student.
So I didn’t push, instead giving her space. And time. And every ounce of my attention once more. “I gave the boy a promise that I’d be there.”
“Yeah, well—not everyone follows through.”
I had a feeling those words weren’t really directed at me. Maybe they were more for Beckett’s real dad, whom I knew nothing about. Was he still in the picture? He definitely didn’t live with them or I’d have noticed something, so I didn’t have that sort of shit to worry about. But he’d apparently left a few scars that needed healing. Something I knew all too much about.
“I’m not everyone.”
She smiled all slow and warm, sweet. Her eyes locked on mine, her body relaxed and soft finally. Receptive. “No, you’re not.”
Ask me, I thought, watching those lips for any sign of movement. For any indication that she wanted me to kiss them as badly as I wanted to do the kissing. Taking a chance, I inched closer. Leaning into her body. Not enough to touch but enough to feel her warmth, to hear the way her breath stuttered. To smell that floral aroma that seemed to float around her. I wanted to touch her so badly, to grab her and pull her into my arms. She seemed to want the same, opening herself to me. Standing still instead of retreating. Accepting my closeness. Her mouth opened, the tip of her tongue appearing to wet the flesh before hiding once more as she—
My phone rang again, totally interrupting the moment and making me want to throw the thing at the wall. The heat dissipated, the cool air of the night replacing it. And Mercy? Well, she took a step away from me, and I knew we were done for the night.
Fucking phone.
“Work again?” Mercy asked, looking doubtful. Something I simply wouldn’t put up with.
“Definitely. No one but my crew and the Kennards have this number.”
She looked up at me again, cocking her head to the side. “And me.”
I leaned closer, wishing once more that she would just ask me to kiss her. Wanting her taste on my lips one last time before she walked away for the night and left me to myself. “And you, beauty.”
That smile grew, but the evening was over and we both knew it. She whispered a soft goodnight and headed inside. Kiss denied. Door closed betwee
n us once more. That was fine. I’d wait her out. She’d ask me eventually.
And still, I stood in the alley in front of that door. Watching as lights turned on above me. Knowing the two Bells were back where they belonged, safe and secure and performing whatever nightly rituals they’d developed over the years. Washing up and getting ready for bed—something so simple, and yet something I desperately wanted to be a part of. I was tired all the way to my bones, and curling up in a soft bed with that woman by my side seemed almost heavenly compared to what I’d likely end up doing tonight. Something I wanted but couldn’t have. Yet.
When my phone rang for the third time, I finally tugged it from my pocket. Two missed calls from Edge and one incoming. Fuck.
“What?” I said as soon as I swiped to answer, turning away from the door I wanted to break through so as not to foul that space with the nonsense I knew was coming.
“I want you at camp. Now.”
“What’s wrong?” I hurried down the alley toward where I’d parked my bike, listening closely for any clues as to what was wrong. The only thing I heard was the sound of a party going on.
Edge laughed, growing louder over the line. “We’ve got pussy all over the place, Parris, my friend. Get here. I need someone to help contain the madness.”
Fuck my life. As I reached my bike, I looked up at the buildings lining Main Street. Only one had any sign of life in it—the hardware store. A warm, golden light glowed from the upstairs. From Mercy and Beckett’s home. I’d have given anything to be there with them, enjoying a quiet evening after the birthday party. But that simply wasn’t in the cards for me. Instead, I got the mess back at camp. The one I had grown far too weary to want to clean up anymore.
One more kill, I thought. Wolf—once he was done and my debt to my sister’s memory had been paid, I was through. I’d find a way out. Until then…
Sabotage: A Vigilante Justice Novel Page 7
