Page 102 of Merciless

Asher’s body stiffens, and he slowly turns his head toward me.

“Don’t speak about her like that.” He enunciates each word carefully, a threat lingering in every syllable.

“Do you hear yourself?” I laugh and shake my head. “You’ve gone mad.”

His gaze darkens, malice and anger swirling in his onyx eyes.

“You’re sleeping with the enemy,” I say. “You must really want us to have that inheritance, huh?”

When all he does is scowl at me, I shove back the piano bench and stand. Its feet scrape against the polished hardwood floor, filling the room with the god-awful sound. I snatch the empty glass and storm to the wet bar to pour another drink.

The whole time, I feel the weight of Asher’s glare.

He knows I’m right. I refuse to let Eden get between us, but he doesn’t see it that way. Asher would rather get stuck on some fucking pussy—forbidden pussy at that. If our father found out what we’re doing, what Asher has done, any possibility of us receiving the inheritance is likely gone.

We’re playing a dangerous game by risking her getting pregnant.

“You’re jealous.”

My hand slips, and whiskey splashes onto the marble counter beside the cup.

“I’m not,” I say through clenched teeth.

“Then why are you upset about me fucking our stepsister?” Asher’s footsteps draw closer to me. “If she were anyone else, you would have brushed it aside and said not to catch feelings for her.”

“Isn’t that what I’m doing? Telling you not to catch feelings?” I set down the whiskey decanter and drop the glass stopper into the opening.

“No. You’re throwing a fucking fit like a child.” He stops behind me. “Just admit it, Elijah. You want her, too.”

“I don’t.” I toss back the whiskey and squeeze my eyes shut as it burns my throat.

He scoffs. “You’re a coward.”

I face him and bare my teeth in a snarl. “Bite your tongue, Asher. You may be my brother, but that won’t stop me from putting you in your place.”

He grins, and it’s wolfish, all teeth. “Maybe it’s right that you don’t fall for Eden. I don’t share, Elijah. Not her. Not with you or anyone else, for that matter.”

“You don’t share?” I chuckle, the sound rougher than humorous. “You’re a lying son of a bitch.”

His eyebrow twitches, but he doesn’t say anything. The look in his eyes tells me everything I need to know.

My grin widens, and I step closer to him. The closer I get, the more his pupils dilate.

“You got off on seeing me with Eden,” I say. “It turned you on when you listened to me licking her pussy to get her ready for you. So yes, you like the thought of sharing, but you’re too fucking stubborn to admit it.”

In a blink, Asher tackles me to the ground. His fist flies toward my face, and I don’t have enough time to stop it. I grunt as it slams into my jaw. I laugh maniacally and take the hits from him as he unleashes his frustration on me.

He’s acting like a child, and maybe I am too.

Because he’s right. I’m so jealous that I’m seeing red and lashing out. The issue is that I’m willing to share Eden with my brother, but he isn’t.

Copper coats my tongue, and I laugh harder.

“You’re my brother,” I say between each hit, my laughter increasing. “And you matter to me. So I’m warning you now that I won’t hold back with Eden anymore.”

Asher stops, his fist inches from my face. He glares at me and swings his arm back as if he’s about to hit me again.

I grin, bloody teeth bared. “Did you forget that I have a bet to win? I need proof, and the only way to get it is if I sleep with her.”