Page 112 of Mercy & Malice

I don’t have a choice. I have to keep going. One foot in front of the other.

“Let’s snap a picture for your mom.” She holds up her phone, taking a picture of us in the reflection of the mirror before she takes another of just me.

Once she sends them to me, I forward them to Mom.

A horn honks before we peek out the window. Cain climbs out of a limousine and hollers when he sees us on the balcony. “Time to get going, ladies.”

We head downstairs and Luca extends his hand to Ivy at the bottom of the staircase. “You look beautiful.”

They kiss as I walk up to Cain who says, “You look stunning as always, Brooke.”

“Thanks. So do you,” I tell him as we walk outside.

“This is a little more than I expected when you said you had the transportation covered,” Ivy states, gesturing to the limo.

Cain glances at me. “I didn’t do it.”

Luca clears his throat as I look at him. There’s a weird air passing between him and Cain.

Ivy picks up on it too. “Care to share with the class?”

Cain’s gaze flicks to mine. “Micah did it. He wants to make sure you have a wonderful time tonight.”

I bite the inside of my lip to keep from fussing at Cain then calling Micah to chew him out. The night hasn’t even started and he’s already making me wish he were here.

Ivy looks to me. “That was sweet of Micah.”

Yes. Too sweet. “He would not have if he’d known you’re my date.”

“He knows,” Cain admits as I gawk at him. “He showed up at my place today. I figured he’d changed his mind. But he just wanted to give me the cuff links he wore to the winter masquerade to go with this new tux, which was also on his dime. I had an old suit that I was going to wear until he popped in last week and offered to save my wardrobe.”

Micah did all of that knowing Cain was my date? “Why are you telling me this? Did he tell you to? Or did he tell you not to?”

“He didn’t say either way. He just did it and told me his reasoning. He wants you to have a good time. He said that your happiness is worth more than his ego.”

I’m still in a daze as I get into the limo. Once we’re on the way, Cain intwines his fingers with mine as he brings my hand to his mouth and feathers a soft kiss over my knuckles. “I figured you should know because we both know I’m not the guy who should be escorting you tonight.”

I keep my vision locked on our hands as tears threaten to spill, but I manage to hold them in.

Cain drapes a supportive arm over my shoulder as he whispers, “It’s okay. He’ll be here next time. Let’s have a good night and you can fuss at him tomorrow.”

I did have a good night, but I can’t wait until tomorrow to inform him of that. I drive to the hotel where he’s staying. Luca finally told me after I assured him that I really wanted to know. But when I arrive and get in the elevator to head up to his floor, I second-guess myself.

When I raise my hand to knock, I freeze. It’s three o’clock in the morning. Nothing sensible happens at this hour of the day. But I can’t turn away. Seconds later, the door opens. Micah stands in the threshold shirtless and wearing pajama pants, a complete contrast to the ball gown I’m still in. Maybe changing would’ve been ideal, but I couldn’t bring myself to delay any longer.

He moves aside. “You’re welcome to come in.”

I study him for a few seconds before I step inside the suite and peek around. The place is massive. I head straight to the floor-length window and stare out at the streets below still filled with a steady crowd despite the time. “I guess your family owning a hotel comes in handy when you need a last-minute place to stay, and during Mardi Gras at that.”

“Certainly does,” he replies, watching me earnestly.

“Why did you do it?”

He asks, “What exactly?”

I laugh. “Right. You’ve been on a parade of redemption, so you don’t even know which to explain. The house, the tux, the limo, the cuff links, the wish-you-all-the-happiness-in-the-world-even-if-it’s-not-with-me gestures. Anything else I should be expecting?”

“I did it to make you happy.”