“It’s complicated,” Pres starts.“Mercy has issues.A medical condition preventing her from speaking and communicating.”
More anger hits me for her sake.Mercy might have issues, but she’s handling herself perfectly under the circumstances she finds herself in.
“No,” I snap.“She can communicate just fine.”
Kujo glares at me.
“Which is it?Yes or no to talking?”Brute presses.“Maybe we should lock her ass up in the basement and find out why those fuckers want her back.Or if they want her back at all.Holding her hostage means shit if they aren’t here for her.”
“She’s not a damn hostage,” I say while Kujo states something similar.
The images from the security camera flash through my mind and it’s then I realize, “She walked toward me when Linus called for her.”
“What?”Kujo asks.
I hit play on the video feed and point out where Mercy glances at the figures behind the fence.She turns and walks away, in my fucking direction.She didn’t want to go to them; she went to me to seek safety right before the explosion knocked her to the ground.
“I asked Mercy about why she glanced at the gate.She told me it was Linus.He and Otto beat her up, also something she said.”I shoot Brute a glance to make sure the fucker understands she fucking speaks.
Kujo places his hands on the table and stands from his chair.“Mercy is my daughter.”
“But her blood also binds her to the enemy,” Van points out.
I understand the distrust, especially with the shit going down for the past few days.Though, spending time with Mercy, seeing her reaction, and what Barge just mentioned about the house and money?I’m thinking she’s been down on her luck for a long-ass time.Not to mention, she probably hasn’t had the proper time to mourn her mother.
Which is why I say, “Then I’ll bind her to the club in another way.Mercy is my property.”
“Your property?”Brute snickers.“Prez just said no one can have her.”
Kujo glares at me.“Did you touch her already?Is that why you didn’t say shit when I demanded she was hands off?”
“No discussion,” I grit.“Mercy is mine.She’s Prez’s daughter and my old lady.She’s to be protected no matter what.”
Prez rubs the back of his neck.“You know how old ladies are claimed.”
I wince.Clearly, I didn’t think this through.
Brute smacks a flat hand on the wood in front of him.“You need to fuck her on this table.All of us need to be present for your claim to be valid.”
Rising from my seat, I tell them, “Give me a few minutes to lay it all out for her.I’ll be right back.”
Not waiting for a reply from anyone, I walk out of church and head for my room.Opening the door, I find the bed empty.Movement from my right makes my gaze collide with Mercy who wanders out of the bathroom.
“Hey.”I lift my chin.
Her lips curl into a smile.Shit.She won’t be smiling for long.
“Can you sit down for a minute?I have to tell you something.”The fear in her eyes is something I hate, and I remind myself this is partly why I claimed her.
Releasing a deep breath, I wonder how the fuck I’m going to spring this shit on her.She sits down on the mattress and looks completely lost.
“Don’t leave.”It’s a mere whisper, but the plea in those two words is heart-wrenching.
Squatting down in front of her, I place my hands on her knees and wait for her to give me her stunning eyes.
Once her gaze hits mine, I ask, “What if you stay with me indefinitely so neither of us leave?”
Mercy bobs her head before I can explain.
