My heart thumped in my chest as Merci skipped down the stairs.Chaos bound over to her, whining with excitement. Merci bent over to say hello and—fuck. I averted my gaze. If Merrick caught me looking at her tits, he’d cut out my eyes.
She opened the refrigerator and cracked a can of Red Bull, taking a long sip. “Morning,” she chirped.
“Morning,” Merrick said before turning his attention back to me. “So, how did you get that shiner?”
I rubbed the darkening bruise under my eye and smirked. “Got attacked by a hellcat in the woods.”
Merci snorted. “You really should be more discerning about who you fuck.”
I bit back a grin. “Maybe I should, but I can’t help myself. I like ’em with a bite.”
Merrick shook his head. “You left your birthday party for a hookup. Fucking typical.”
I didn’t correct him. It was easier for now if he thought my attention was focused on a woman who wasn’t his sister. I shifted uncomfortably as my jeans rubbed a spot on my nuts that had progressively become more itchy throughout the morning.
“So, what’s the assignment today, boss?” I asked, changing the topic.
“I have you and Fuse heading out to Káfsima Global. They have an investor meeting today, so they’re expecting some environmental activists to show up.”
“Great. Hopefully I don’t get stabbed again,” I grumbled.
Merci tossed a bagel at my head, and I caught it. “But you’re only one slice away from filling out your frequent flier card in my ER.”
I bit into the bagel. “What do I get?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Merci said. “Maybe a sticker?”
“Lame,” I grumbled. I moved to the refrigerator and pulled out one of Merci’s Red Bulls. I cracked it open.
Merrick turned, pouring another cup of coffee. I slid past Merci, palm grazing her ass before I gave it a quick, hard squeeze. She bit herlip and gazed at me, her eyes flaring with heat. I was several steps past her by the time Merrick turned around.
Kenna stepped into the room, her eyes still tired from sleep. She moved to Merrick wordlessly and swiped the coffee from him. He kissed her forehead and pulled out another cup for himself.
Merci and I exchanged a look. Kenna was the only person on earth who could pull shit like that on Merrick and keep their hands attached to their body.
“Do you and Jessa want to join us for dinner tonight?” Kenna asked.
I grinned. “We can’t. We have brother-sister bonding time planned. She wants to play paintball.”
“That sounds fun,” Merci said.
“You can join us if you’d like,” I said in my most disinterested tone possible. Like I didn’t care either way.
Merci hid a smirk. “Maybe next time. I have to work.”
“Speaking of, I’d better get on the road. Traffic will be hell this time of day.”
* * *
Protestors already lined the sidewalk by the time Fuse and I pulled up on our bikes at the Káfsima Global headquarters. Their chants about fossil fuels killing the earth filled the air. Fuse and I stood guard at the door, each of us taking turns to escort investors down the sidewalk entrance.
“Why are you walking like that?” Fuse asked. “You look like a penguin.”
I shifted, trying to shake loose the burning sensation between my legs. “Dude, I don’t know what the fuck is going on. The skin on my balls itches like a motherfucker.”
Fuse chuckled. “TMI. Maybe you caught something with the girl you went home with last night.”
“I didn’t go home with anyone,” I growled. “And I didn’t catch anything. It’s probably just a sweat rash.”
