Page 93 of Mercy & Malice

“Yeah, sure that will go over well with your stepmom.” I almost stop speaking before the last word. But it’s a concern. And how can I not have a future with him now? We’re meant to be together forever regardless of who our parents decide to marry.

“We can get our own place. Just give me the go-ahead and it’s done.”

I understand that he has the means from the inheritance left by his grandfather. But it’s hard to fathom us moving out and starting out life as a couple already. “That’s a big step.”

“So is sex.” He mutters against my skin, “You’re my first, only, and last, even if you decide I’m not yours in the future.”

I turn to look at him as I ask, “Why are you so convinced I’m going to regret this or leave you?”

His thumb traces my cheek as water trails down my skin. “Because you deserve better.”

Does he honestly believe he’s not enough for me? If you ask me, he’s more than I could’ve wished for. And the word love is on the tip of my tongue. But I keep it in. This feels like a dream. One that is too good to be true. The nightmare is bound to return soon enough.

51

MICAH

Troy walks into the kitchen as he asks, “So, no party tonight?”

“Nope. Staying in for a movie night,” Brooke responds holding up a bowl of popcorn as Ivy holds up an iced coffee in each hand before they head upstairs to the media room.

“Thank God,” Troy mumbles.

I tell him, “We’re staying here tonight.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” He points towards the back door. “Weather is supposed to get really bad. I’ll be around if you need me.”

Luca informs him, “Heads-up, Cain might stop by later, but I doubt he’ll make it.”

“Pity,” I state flatly.

My brother gives me a stop-being-an-ass glare. “Detectives dropped by earlier. Ledet had a lot of questions. It seems like he’s picking up where Brent Guidry left off with all the disappearances and deaths connected to Belgrave.”

“And Brooke appears to be connected to all of it.” There’s not a goddamn thing I can do about it.

“We’ll handle him as it happens. Hopefully, we won’t have to lift another finger, and he’ll go after our father.”

“It’s too risky to wait.”

Luca gives it some thought before he says, “We can’t add to the body count or missing persons tally. Just stay the course. If I thought Brooke was at risk, I’d make the motherfucker disappear myself. But this will work in our favor. If Dad stays away and keeps dodging their interview requests, it’ll raise their suspicions even more. I have a source in the department who’s keeping tabs on the investigation, and she’s going to let me know if a meeting or anything is arranged.”

The thought is great. But he won’t make it that easy. “He won’t crawl out of his hole until he’s ready.”

“Either way, we need to be ready.”

“Done,” I state. We chat for a while before heading upstairs. When we enter the media room, Ivy holds her finger over her lips and signals for us to be quiet, then points at Brooke who is sound asleep.

I carefully drop onto the sofa next to her, then tuck the blanket over her. She stirs a little and snuggles up to me.

After the movie ends, Ivy whispers, “I’m gonna go to bed. Y’all can sleep in here or the guest room.”

“We’ll stay here,” I say, not wanting to disturb her, she looks so serene. After hitting play on New Girl, I lie there and listen to mixtures of the show with the thunder rumbling outside until I drift off to sleep. A sudden jolt wakes me.

The room is pitch black as I look around. Brooke’s nails claw at me, her words are quick and panicked. “Where are we? It’s dark. Why’s it so dark? And quiet. It’s too quiet.”

“We’re at Ivy’s. It’s just a storm; the power must be out.” I grab my phone and click on the light. The terror on her face is heartbreaking. I reassure her, “I’m sure the generator will kick on soon.”

As if on cue, the lights flicker on but fade off seconds later. “No, no. It’s him.”