Page 44 of Mercy & Malice

A pained expression flickers across Micah’s face before he nudges his head, signaling for me to look away. And I do. This isn’t something I want to witness. I turn my face away and snap my eyes closed. Though, I still hear Dad’s gargled curses until there’s nothing but silence.

A slow clap starts as Judge commends, “Bravo. That was way too easy and natural for you. Maybe I’ll rethink your next opponent.”

Next opponent? He’s going to keep making Micah kill people.

Judge instructs Collector to retrieve my father while he keeps the gun pointed on Micah.

After they have him out and the gate is secured, Judge says, “Sleep tight.”

Then they clear out and the room darkens again. I move behind Micah and slowly wrap my arms around his midriff. He turns to face me, his arms tightly holding me against him as he pleads, “Please don’t hate me.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t have a choice,” I reassure him.

He admits, “I wanted to kill him. He deserved to die. I would’ve ended him already, but I didn’t want you to hate me.”

“I don’t.” I really don’t. I hate that Micah had to do it. But now there’s one less monster in the world. I should be a little sad he’s dead though, but I’m not. Am I a monster too?

Micah mutters, “You’re getting out of here. I won’t let them hurt you.”

24

MICAH

THREE MONTHS AGO, DARE 10

We’re all waiting in front of the roller coaster at the abandoned fairgrounds precisely as instructed. Now, we just need Decider to give us details of whatever this dare will be. “Obey if you dare. Which is harder: giving up control or learning to obey? You’ll find out now. For the next twenty-four hours, the uninvited team member must submit to every command of the invitee.”

Oh, this is going to be good. I can’t help but laugh when Brooke’s initial reaction is to ask, “Are you freaking kidding?”

Decider doesn’t bother deviating from his instructions to respond to her. “At the twenty-four-hour mark, roles reverse. The ally takes over for the following day, and the invitee must obey. After forty-eight hours are up, roles return to normal. You’re equals again. But the damage will be done. Use your authority wisely.”

Brooke rolls her eyes as she complains, “This is going to be horrible.”

Remy is the first to throw out a command to Garrett pertaining to their football rivalry. All I do is consider what I could and will get the vixen in front of me who is less than amused about our current arrangement to do.

After Remy jogs off, hoping to make it back to the football game before halftime, Brooke says, “I need to go back too.”

I tell her, “Go ahead. Then you’re all mine when it’s over.”

“Just fucking fabulous,” she says as she leaves, and I head home.

The drive back to my house is filled with me trying to decide how far I will push her annoyance level during this challenge. As soon as I walk back into the house, my father spots me and asks, “The round underway yet?”

“Yep. It’s a breeze.”

“Are you sure? Because we’re a step behind the game now. You showed your brother exactly the kind of opponent he’s up against—weak. I warned you that the fight at the Tomb was the wrong move. You can’t beat him hand-to-hand. You’re not strong enough. You have to attack his mind. Play games with his psyche, deteriorate his defenses, then strike.” My father continues his instruction that I truly believe he feels is helpful. It’s anything but as I hear what a failure and weak son I am. Like I need reminding. It’s been days since I was knocked on my ass, and the shame is still raw and right on the surface. Luca always comes out on top. This one has been harder to shake, though I don’t understand why.

I snap back to the discussion when I hear my father ask, “How’s the Guidry girl working out? She doesn’t seem to be an issue, but I did see her chatting with Luca in a rather cozy-looking position. You’d better keep an eye on that situation. She’s been hanging around forever and might have her sights set on the stronger twin now that she knows who that is.”

She’s mine. Always has been, always will be. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Are you certain? That girl seems to be your twin’s current and only weakness. Do I need to worry that you’ve fallen victim to the wrong head too?”

“Maybe ask yourself that when you sneak off with her mom again.”

Yeah, the affair is obvious, but Dad usually doesn’t fool with anyone who requires effort. And the married principal of my school isn’t usually his type.

He states, “I’ll be away on business for the next week or possibly longer. Don’t do anything irrational or risky. This is a slow game, one inch at a time to deliberately break your opponent, not run in with guns a blazing. Sitting with the anticipation is more overpowering than any tactic. We’re going for the long game.”