Neo 🩷🌸
Shooting up, Merc cleared his throat and checked the time on his Rolex. “Shit. I did not mean to sleep that late.”
“Obviously, you needed it. We both did.”
With a yawn, he stood. “There are extra towels and toothbrushes and shit in the bathroom. After you freshen up, I’ll take you back to the mansion.”
“Okay.” I agreed before heading that way.
I wasn’t sure why I expected our time together to continue or at least end differently. Maybe he brought me here because it was closer than Rey’s place and he was too tired to make the drive. Whatever the reason, I freshened up while he did the same in another part of his home. When we were done, he drove me back to Rey’s mansion in silence. It felt like the walls he’d had up were right back up, and all the progress we made yesterday meant nothing.
I didn’t have the energy to even care anymore. I couldn’t force Merc to share himself with me. Though I felt like we had a lot in common and could be really good friends, if that wasn’t what he wanted, it wouldn’t happen. I didn’t allow him to fully get the car in park good before I was opening the door to hop out. Before I could, he was gripping my arm and pulling me back inside.
“Why you in such a fuckin’ rush?”
“I didn’t want to hold you up more than spending yesterday with me already has.”
He released a tired sigh and my arm at the same time. “Go get dressed. I planned something for you today, but I do need to go back home and spend some time with my son. I’ll be back at six. And if you ever open a door while you’re in the car with me, I’ma choke you with that damn seat belt.”
There was no denying how serious he was by his expression, but that didn’t stop the laugh that erupted from the pit of my belly. Deciding not to test his threat, I waited for him to get out and open the door for me. He didn’t step back right away, which forced me to brush my body against his and step around him. I saw his eyes lower to my ass out of the corner of my eye, causing me to slow my steps and put a little extra sway in my hips. We may have agreed to be only friends, but I was for damn sure going to make him suffer for it.
Merc was an anomaly—a gangster… a gentleman. Scary yet sweet. Brooding yet beautifully light in this hour of darkness for me. The surprise he had was a spa evening that was followed up with us going to the blues and jazz lounge that was right down the street. Bully and Beethoven happened to be there, and though we spent a little time talking with them, Merc allowed me to have him to myself.
Everything was going well until Merc spotted someone that evoked a rage in him that I didn’t think I’d ever see. One minute, we were talking and vibing to the music, and the next, he was taking me over to Bully and Toe and telling them to keep me safe. His movements were careful and calculated until the man noticed him, then Merc was hopping over tables to ensure he was unable to get away. Swift punches to the man’s face caused everyone around them to disperse. A gun was pulled by one of the men that was with him, and Merc effortlessly took it and pointed it at him, and it was complete chaos at that point.
While Bully carried me out, Toe charged in Merc’s direction. I didn’t want to leave Merc. In my mind, I knew this was literally what he got paid to do… Even if that wasn’t Gatlin, it was clearly someone he had unfinished business with. In my heart, I wanted to help him. That was proven to be impossible when Bully shoved me into his SUV.
“You need to go help him!” I yelled, trying to remove myself from his grip.
“They got it. And you ain’t going back in there. You’ll only be in the way.”
I couldn’t deny that, so as much as I wanted to go back inside, I crossed my arms over my chest as my leg shook in anxiousness. “Was that Gatlin?”
“No, but it was someone connected to him.”
Relief filled me. Hopefully, the man would be able to lead Merc to Gatlin so this would all be over. Bully’s phone began to ring, and Merc’s name was on the dashboard.
“Yeah?” Bully answered.
“Take her to Rey. I’ll be there later.”
“Aight, gotchu.”
The ride to Rey’s place was done in silence on my part. Bully tried to keep my mind off things by talking about nothing in particular, and I appreciated the distraction, but it was hard for me to focus. I wouldn’t be able to be at peace until I was sure Merc was going to make it out of this okay.
When we got to the mansion, Rey made sure I was okay before assuring me Merc knew exactly what he was doing and would be fine. I went to the room I’d been occupying and almost crumbled when I saw one of the keyboard’s Merc and I had been playing yesterday in the corner of the room. It had a red bow on it and a small card that read:
Hopefully this will help you pass the time and make some beautiful music in the process.
– Merc
Holding the card to my chest, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer for both his and Beethoven’s safety… and for him to come back to me soon.
The feel of an arm wrapping around me caused my eyes to pop open. Turning in bed, I gasped at the sight of Merc. Pulling him down to me, I surprised myself by kissing his lips. I pulled away quickly to apologize, but his lips on mine silenced me. Quick pecks turned into his tongue sliding into my mouth as I tugged him further into the bed. He released a low moan against my lips that made my nipples harden.
When he was in bed completely, I wrapped my arms and legs around him.
As much as I enjoyed kissing him, I pulled away to say, “I was so scared.”
“I told you I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you,” he reminded.
YOU ARE READING
Merc (COMPLETED)
RomanceFor a man like Merc, his reputation has always preceded him. Known for his allegiance to the criminal underworld as a protector, the gangster only shows love to his family... and his son and the woman who birthed him are at the top of that list. Whe...
