Page 25 of Mercy & Malice

“Hey, it’s me. I’m sorry. I was just messing with you.” Micah is in front of me, watching me so intently that I feel exposed.

I can’t move, I’m frozen in place, so I concentrate on centering myself by focusing on the rapid rise and fall of my chest as I stare into his remorseful eyes. Snapping mine shut, I shove him away. “Don’t do that again.”

“Brooke.” He carefully clasps my hand in his as he moves back in front of me. “What happened just then?”

“You scared me, jackass. That’s what happened.”

His arm lifts, his thumb strokes over my cheek and wipes away my tears. “No, I’ve scared you before. You’re terrified of clowns, and I’ve never seen that sort of panic on your face before.”

Fuck. “I’m very tender-headed, and that hurt really bad.”

“Why are you lying to me?” The words cut, but his desperate tone slices deeper.

I can’t tell him the truth. And I don’t understand why. He wouldn’t fault me. But I’m ashamed. I’ve lied to him already about scrapes and bruises. He’d start piecing the injuries together. Would he protect me? Yes. Would he get himself in trouble in the process and have no regard for the consequences? Certainly. But it’s almost over. I just need to get through Mercy and get away from my father.

“I’m not lying. Just don’t be an ass and pull my hair again. It’s not funny.”

He leans forward, his lips brushing mine. “You’re the only person who’s always honest with me. Don’t forsake me now.” His lips press a soft, tender kiss to my mouth that reminds me of all of the ways I’m deceiving him. I’m the Deceiver. He’s going to hate me.

Slightly turning my face so his lips aren’t on mine, I say, “We shouldn’t do this, Micah.”

“Right. Wouldn’t want to break Daddy’s rules.” His mouth moves next to my ear as he whispers, “Though I’d give anything to taste you again.”

Instant replays of us messing around come to mind as he retreats.

Yeah, I’d like to do that again, but it would lead to more. Because I’ll never get enough of him. And if things were different, I would’ve already given him everything—my heart, my soul, my body. He already owns two of the three. Giving him the last won’t change that we can’t be together. It’d only show how much better it could be.

Once he’s out of sight, I grab my phone off the floor. Thankfully, it’s not shattered, but it is filthy. I almost packed a flashlight, but I worried if I showed up too prepared the others would get suspicious. And I’m already having a difficult enough time putting on the show. How much longer will I be able to keep it up?

14

BROOKE

“Thanks for giving me a ride,” I tell Ivy as she steers into the parking lot of Sweet Fleur.

“Of course.”

When I see the Montclair leaning against my car, I immediately discern it’s not the brother I want it to be.

Ivy shifts her car into park, her gaze on Luca. “He insisted on changing the flat.”

“Him being nice will always be strange.”

She sighs, leaning back in the seat. “He’s trying. And he cares about you too. He attempted to talk to Micah but didn’t have much luck.”

That’s more shocking than Luca being nice. “Really? They talked? What brought that on?”

“I might’ve suggested it.” Ivy shrugs before she admits, “I told Luca he has to work things out with his brother. Micah did some really hurtful things, but I don’t believe he’s a hateful guy. And maybe if they can get along and stop fighting, their dad won’t be able to keep them at odds.”

“He’s always done it. Micah wouldn’t hear it from any of us.”

“That stubborn streak runs strong in both of them.”

I chuckle. “For real.”

When we walk up, I tell Luca thanks.

He motions to the intact tire. “It was already changed when I got here.”