Page 39 of Mercy & Malice

“Look what I’ve fucking done to you.” He hammers his fist against his chest, screaming and cursing, as he pulls at his hair.

“Goddamn it, Micah, I’m terrified out of my mind, and you are scaring me even more. Pain I can deal with. Who gives a shit? I will not be able to get through this without you. You cannot freak out on me.” It’s my turn to scream. “I need you.”

Grabbing a towel, I dry myself off, flinching when it brushes against my backside. All we have is each other, and if one of us breaks, what will be left?

Micah says, “Tell me how I can make this better.”

“Dry off, put on some clothes, and hold me. Please.” Because he’s the only sanctuary I have right now.

21

BROOKE

THREE MONTHS AGO, DARE 11

Trust? I trust that whoever conjures up these challenges, needs their head examined. And maybe an extended stay in a padded room. Because how did they get access to an offshore helicopter and an entire freaking abandoned oil rig in middle of the Gulf?

When Decider told me what this round entailed, all I was allowed to do is pick the order that we will go in. And even that felt like too much control. Three teams are all that’s left. I selected Ivy and Luca first, then Micah and I, and Garrett and Remy last. I want this to be over. That’s the decision I really want to be left up to me.

The wind is whipping around us as we watch Ivy walking blindfolded across the catwalk to the other platform. The invitee instructs the blindfolded ally across then we’re supposed to tie the blindfold to the structure. Simple enough.

But as Ivy and Luca start back, she starts freaking out.

“What’s going on?” I ask, watching as she becomes frantic.

“Looks like something is wrong,” Remy says attempting to get a better view.

“Silence,” Decider states.

I keep my mouth closed and don’t say a word, but when I see Ivy slip over the ledge, dangling from nothing but Luca’s grasp, I scream, “Help her.” The drop is hundreds of feet and Garrett’s assessment of dying as soon as we hit the surface of the water below is all I can contemplate. “We have to do something,” I scream.

Decider shouts, “No. Silence is all you will do.”

We’re just supposed to witness her plummeting to her death and not do a damn thing. Seriously? I don’t get an ounce of oxygen in my lungs until Luca pulls her back onto the platform.

“She’s safe,” I utter.

They make it back on the main platform, Luca immediately shouting and cursing as the Decider warns him to shut up or he’ll be left behind on the oil rig.

I go over to the edge of the platform with Micah. “What happened to them? I don’t want to die.”

“Not sure and me neither.” He holds up the blindfold with a forced, tight smile. “Follow my directions and this will be like a walk in the park.”

“You can admit if you’re scared.” I take the blindfold from him and tie it over my eyes.

He’s next to my ear as he says, “There’s nothing to be scared of. No demented clowns or creep-crawlies in sight.”

A smile is on my face when I feel his lips press against mine. The second we start the trek along the rusted, shabby grate, it diminishes.

He guides me along, telling me which side to stay on and where to place my footing. My fingers ache from gripping the metal railing so tight but I can’t seem to lessen my hold. Once we reach the second platform, he removes my blindfold, a genuine smile on his face this time. “Walk in the park.”

Micah ties the blindfold to the structure, then we start back. When we’re close to the middle, I recall it’s the spot where Ivy almost fell. I search the grate but don’t see anything troubling.

A shout slices through the blustery wind, “You’re going to pick, and you’re going to watch.”

My father. His shouting continues as the scenes to go along with the commentary play out in my mind. “I said open your fucking eyes, Brooke.”

He’s not here, but I still feel his hand gripping my hair so tight I thought he was going to pull it out of my head. “You disobeyed me, your mother allowed it. So, she gets the punishment. Which will it be, the belt or my dick? Her ass is taking one, and you will watch her punishment. Then maybe next time I make a rule, you’ll listen.”