Merciless
Copyright © 2021 by Eleanor Aldrick
Cover Design: Sinfully Seductive Designs
Interior Formatting: Sinfully Seductive Designs
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [email protected]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
FIRST EDITION
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
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Thank You
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To all the lovers of forbidden tales.
You are not alone.
I’ve got you.
You are the forbidden.
The fruit I cannot have.
Though I try to stay away,
I’m not whole
without your half.
—Eleanor Aldrick
“Just do it, Hudson,” my father growls, his voice tinged with anger.
Some things never change.
"I'm not a babysitter, Dad. Last I checked, Southern Dallas offers housing. Hell, they even have ‘sorority row’ where the brat can have her pick from social dorms. And let’s be real, it's not like you can't afford to foot the bill."
"Hudson Andrew Maxwell, I raised you better than that. It's not about the money. It's about watching over family. You will take her in, and you will care for her. If you feel differently, we can always revisit my will."
Motherfucker. The bastard thinks I care about his damn money.
I roll my eyes and huff out in disgust, "First, you didn't raise me, the nannies did. Second, I have my own money, so how about you stop dangling your damn Will over my head like a fucking carrot?"
"Hud—" My father starts, but I interject. I'm not done yet.
"And third, I’ll agree that family is supposed to care for one another," even though he never showed me a shred of concern growing up, but I don't say that. "So the answer to your demand is yes. I’ll take in your stepdaughter and house her in my bachelor pad."
My dad lets out an exasperated breath, "Good. She gets in tonight. I've given her your address, so please make sure you're home to greet her. I know you like gallivanting at all hours of the night, but try to be home for at least a couple of days until she's settled in."
I close my eyes and take in a centering breath. This man will not break me. "Sure, Dad."
"Great." And the line goes dead. No 'I love you.' No 'goodbye.' Hell, not even a 'talk later.'
That's just not his way.
I groan, throwing the phone onto the passenger seat. Why did I fucking cave? I don't owe that man anything. Everything I am today is because of my mother and the women who raised me after her passing.
I should've told him where he could shove his threats.
Family.
The one word echoes in my mind as I start my 1967 Mustang convertible, one of many classics in my collection.
Family is an elusive dream. Something from a distant memory.
Everyone I now call family isn't blood, but is in fact chosen.
Maybe that's why I agreed to let the munchkin stay with me. A yearning for something more. Something deeper than the shallow existence with my father.
Sure, the men of WRATH securities are my honorary family. We not only built a nationwide security firm, but a deep-rooted network of support.
Still, it'd be nice to have a real family... even if it's just with a step-sibling.
A little girl with pigtails and braces flashes before my mind's eye and I can't help but smile.
If she looks anything like she did at fourteen, then she'll definitely need my help fitting in at college. I've only seen her once, when my father eloped with his personal assistant. And yes, you guessed it; he left Alyssa and me at home.
Thankfully, I was past the nanny stage and only visiting, but poor Alyssa wasn't as lucky.
She got her first real taste of what it's like to grow up as a Maxwell.
Life on nanny-lockdown.
My cell vibrates on the leather seat, the name Titus flashing across the screen before I answer and bring it to my ear. "Yo, what's up?"
"I need a favor." Titus' cold voice cuts through the line without so much as a greeting.
My best friend isn't one of many words, so I'm not offended. Instead, I'm intrigued. He never asks for anything.
"Name it." There's hardly anything I wouldn't do for our crew. Especially Titus. He's like the brother I never had.
"So, I've been staying with Ashley."
I nearly choke on my saliva and barely miss swerving into oncoming traffic. "Come again? Did you just say you've been staying with William's sister? The very sister that's been off limits since high school?"
"Yes." That's it. That's all he gives me.
"Ooookay. So what's the favor."
"There's a contract William wants me to take. It's in Oklahoma. I need you to switch with me so I can stay here in Dallas." With Ashley, he doesn't add.
"Got it. So long as it’s not Arkansas.” I shudder remembering my last contract in one of their small towns. Population of hot women, zero. I mean, the whole town had about fifty people in it so it wasn’t its fault. But damn, you’d have to blackmail me in order to get me to take another contract there. “I'll talk to William about it but it’ll have to wait a day or two. My little sister is coming in from California and I have to be her welcoming committee. Make sure she doesn't get descended on by boys or throw any wild parties in my home."
I cringe, remembering what wild shit I got up to when I was seventeen. God, that feels like it was ages ago. Thirty-two isn't old, but it's a hell of a ways away from seventeen.
Titus snorts into the phone, "Say what? Your old man roped you into babysitting?"
"Ha. Ha. Laugh all you want. At least Alyssa is a total nerd from what I've heard. She doesn't get into trouble and doesn't have many friends. She’s Daddy's perfect little princess. If anything, I'll have to worry about her wanting to tag along with me on dates and shit."
I shake my head and sigh. Family. This is all for family.
"Alright, brother. If you say so. She's always welcome at our place. I'm sure Ashley would love to have her over for one of her girls' nights with Bella and Cassie."
I choke on air, "Did you just call Ashley's new apartment 'our place'?"
"So what if I did?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. I'm sure it’ll go over real well with William when he finds out."
"Got a call coming through. Talk later." And the line goes dead for the second time today.
I shake my head and chuckle. That asshole thinks he can date one of the WRATH princesses and get away with it. Man, does he have another thing coming.
Rule No. 1, sisters are off limits.
“Come on, Big Red. Don’t fail me now,” I whisper to my 1975 K5 Blazer. She’s definitely seen better days, but there’s no way in hell I was going to leave her behind in California.
Knowing my stepdad, he’d probably sell it to some junk yard without so much as a thought.
No, thank you.
Pulling off
to the side of the road, I hear the engine make a knocking sound. Well, shit. That can’t be good.
Not even one week into my sting with independence and I’m already running into problems.
I step out onto the highway’s shoulder and make my way around to the hood, sure to avoid any traffic. Popping the hood open, I see smoke coming out in big plumes.
Shit. Fuck. Shit. What now?
I can’t call my mom. She’d just tell me she was right, that I’m not ready to be on my own.
‘Alyssa Marie Rogers, you get on the next flight home. You’re much too young and inexperienced to be living by yourself.’
I roll my eyes and groan. If I’m inexperienced, it’s because of her suffocating me with nannies and rules, never letting me do anything on my own.
No. I’m going to get out of this by myself, even if it means getting dirty. Surely this can’t be too hard to figure out.
I take off my baggy white t-shirt, leaving me in just my red sports bra and denim shorts.
Using the shirt, I begin to slowly unscrew the cap to the radiator. The thing hissing like some demon-possessed snake.
Welp, it looks like I’ll be needing some fluids.
Leaving the hood open, I round the car and get behind the driver's seat, turning the ignition to see if I can figure out what the hell was making the knocking sound.
Sure enough, that god-awful noise starts back up again.
Yeah, I’m definitely going to need help.
Taking out my cell phone, I debate calling my stepbrother. I’m only twenty minutes outside of Dallas and I know it’s probably the responsible thing to do, but I just can’t seem to make myself do it.
I’m already feeling like a major burden, knowing my staying with him was definitely not his idea.
I’ve heard the things my stepdad says about him. He’s a manwhore, never settling down with one woman and always moving on to the next.
Images of Hudson driving himself into a woman has my stomach rolling and my thighs clenching all at once, the mixture of jealousy and lust running rampant through my body.
So many nights, I touched myself to thoughts of him—his hands on me, as our bodies moved as one—always wanting and needing more.
God, what I would give for just one night. Sure, I’ve never had sex before so I wouldn’t be as experienced as the girls he’s used to, but a girl could dream.
My friends back home had horrible experiences their first time, and I bet that a man like Hudson would make it pleasurable, not painful.
Memories of him coming out of our pool, his wet swim trunks clinging to him like a second skin and outlining his thick as fuck dick flash before me.
Maybe it’d be a little painful, but no significant achievement comes without a little pain.
I snicker to myself before shaking my head.
Agh. Stop it, Alyssa. It’s not okay to think about your brother like that. He sure as hell doesn’t see you that way.
Mentally chastising myself, I hit up Duck Duck Go instead. There’s gotta be a tow service nearby. I check my wallet and I’m thankful for the credit card my stepfather gave me as I left the house yesterday.
I’m not one for handouts, but I knew it would be smart to have in case of emergencies, and this is definitely an emergency.
Getting out of the car, I dial the first towing company I see before bending over under the hood once more.
Thankfully, someone answers quickly and I’m able to give them my location before they confirm someone will be out shortly.
Shoving my phone in my back pocket, I continue to stare at the different boxes and tubing as if I’m going to somehow miraculously become an expert mechanic and figure out what’s wrong.
I roll my eyes at myself. I need to just close the damn hood and wait for the tow truck. With my luck, I’ll manage to break something else in the process of looking.
“Need help?” A deep voice speaks behind me and I jump so fast my head smacks against the metal hood of the car.
“Ouch!” I grab at my head and turn to glare at whoever just snuck up on me. “Didn’t your mom teach—” My jaw hangs open and the words die on my mouth.
Hudson Maxwell stands before me, his grey eyes dancing with humor as he stares me up and down.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you, miss. I just saw this beautiful K5 Blazer on the side of the road and wanted to see if you needed any help.”
Miss? Does he not know who I am? Sure, it’s been three years since we last saw each other in person, but hasn’t he seen any updated photos of me recently?
I know I’ve stalked him on social media like any hot-blooded girl would on their crush.
Wanting to test the waters, I play along. “Um. Yeah, actually. It’s making a knocking sound and I’m not sure what to do.”
“May I?” his broad hand gestures toward the engine as he gives me a small smile.
“Of course, please do.” I step aside, the scent of his bergamot cologne hitting me like a delicious dream I never want to wake from. Hudson tinkers under the hood, his current position giving me the perfect opportunity to gawk at him openly.
I mean, who wouldn’t. His broad shoulders taper down into a V, where his delicious ass is hugged by a pair of charcoal grey slacks.
Gawd. There’s something about him rolling up his white button down, getting all dirty for me, that sends my lady bits throbbing.
Relax, Alyssa. If he knew who you really were, he’d want nothing to do with you.
But wait... He doesn’t know who I am. At least he hasn’t let on that he does.
Maybe, just maybe, I can milk this situation a little longer.
Hudson turns to face me, grease staining his muscular forearms and making me ache for him that much more. “I’m sorry, miss. It looks like it’s the head gasket which can be pricey to fix. Not sure how attached you are to this baby, but I can give you five-thousand for her and drop you off wherever you need to go.”
The smug bastard takes a handkerchief out of his back pocket and wipes his hands as if he’s got himself the deal of a lifetime.
Oh, hell no. I may not know much about what goes on underneath the hood of many cars, but I sure do know about the value of this one.
She may be old and she may have a ton of miles, but her value extends far and above that of money. She was the only thing my dad left me before he died, and for that reason alone, I will never part with her. Not for all the money in the world.
Hudson clearly doesn’t know it’s me he’s dealing with. If he did, he wouldn’t have insulted me with this low-ball offer and a panty dropping smirk.
Well, jokes on him. Any reservation I had about playing strangers has gone and flown out the window.
If he’s going to be a dick, I might as well ride his.
There’s no way in hell he’s getting his hands on Big Red, but it’ll be fun making him think he can… all in exchange for ten-thousand and a kiss. If that kiss leads to more, then so be it. I couldn’t picture a more delicious first.
And hey, could you really blame me? Not everyone gets to have their dream crush as the one who pops their cherry.
Besides, in less than five hours I’ll be standing at his door and any chance of playing out my childhood fantasies will be as dead as whatever a head gasket is.
No way I’m passing this up. I’d be a damn fool, and Daddy didn’t raise no fool.
That sweet red truck is like a beacon, begging me to pull over to the memories of my college years.
It’s the exact year and color too. I’ve been hunting for a 1975 K5 Blazer to add to my collection, and this might just be the one.
I park my mustang behind it, seeing that the driver has the hood up.
Perfect. This will give me a good excuse to buy it from them. Hell, I’ll be doing them a favor, right?
I’m preparing my sales pitch when my words catch in my throat.
Hot fucking damn.
Long muscular legs lead up to a tight ass, clad in the tiniest
jean shorts with the cheeks peeking out like juicy little orbs, just asking to be bitten.
Red hair cascades over her back, the ends grazing the top of that delicious ass I wouldn’t mind grinding my cock against.
My dick twitches in my slacks and I have to tell him to calm down. I know it’s been months since we’ve been with anyone—thanks Arkansas—but I’m pretty sure being greeted by a stranger with a hard on isn’t something women traveling alone take kindly to.
“Need help?” I tentatively ask, the lust running through me, making my voice come out extra deep and rough.
The gorgeous redhead hits her head before whirling around, shooting me a withering glare that dies as soon as her eyes fall on me.
Okay. Good to know that the feeling of appreciation is mutual. Maybe I can get a car and a lay.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you, miss. I just saw this beautiful K5 Blazer on the side of the road and wanted to see if you needed any help.” Smooth. Offer to help, point out what’s wrong and then hit her with my offer.
“Um. Yeah, actually. It’s making a knocking sound and I’m not sure what to do.” She nibbles on her lower lip as her hand comes up, rubbing the back of her neck—the action bringing my eyes to her chest, her full breasts constrained in nothing but a red sports bra.
I internally groan. How is this gorgeous creature standing out here by herself, dressed like that? I know I’m a gentleman and I would never take advantage of a woman, but the same can’t be said for many.
Clothes are no excuse for a man coming onto a woman with unwanted advances, but holy fuck, I just want to throw my jacket over her and shove her back in her car.
I shake off these irrationally possessive thoughts and gesture toward her engine, “May I?”
She steps aside, a small smile playing on her fuckable lips. “Of course, please do.”
As I pass by her, I’m grateful for the reprieve of having to face her head on. No matter what I tell myself, my cock has a mind of its own, responding to all of her cues—the nibbling of her mouth, the sudden pickup in breathing, and yes... even her perusal of my body.
Merciless: A Stepbrother Romance Page 1