“I don’t need a fist. I have a fucking blade for his gut and a bullet for his head.”
“Out,” she said, her tone pure ice.
Merrick stepped away and slammed the door behind him. I overheard Kenna questioning what all the commotion was about down the hall.
I swung my legs out from under the sheets and sat on the edge of the bed, cradling my head in my hands. “Hellcat, I’m so sorry.”
Merci’s hand grazed my naked back. “Don’t apologize for loving me. Because I won’t apologize for loving you. He’ll get over it.”
She stood, picking up our discarded clothes spread across thefloor. She tossed me my shirt and pants. “Good thing he didn’t see your boxers on the floor,” she joked.
I groaned. “Because I don’t wear boxers.” I pulled up my jeans.
“But he doesn’t know that.” She slipped the dress over her head.
“Right. So there’s a silver lining?” After pulling on my shirt, I shrugged on my cut, wondering if Merrick would call for the club to strip me of it.
Merci grabbed the edges of the worn leather and tugged me flush against her body. “The silver lining is that I’m happier with you than I’ve ever been. When my alpha-hole brother sees that, he’ll get over it.”
I leaned down to press my lips to hers. “I love you.”
I followed Merci out of her room and instinctively moved in front of her as Merrick glowered at the bottom of the stairs. Thick tension filled the room as we settled before him.
Kenna smiled tightly and handed me a beer. “Hey, Hatchet. We, uh, didn’t realize you were here. Staying for dinner?”
“No. He’s not,” Merrick growled, stepping forward to invade my space.
Merci slid between us. “Stop acting like a jerk.”
“How long has this been going on?” Merrick asked, his gaze shifting to me.
I winced. “Long enough that I should have told you.”
“Or not,” Merci countered. “Because, I don’t know, I’m a fucking adult woman, and it’s none of your business who I’m spending my time with?”
Merrick’s eyes flicked to Merci. “How long?”
Merci rolled her eyes. “I mean, it wasn’t serious at first. It was only recently that we realized we wanted something more.”
“How fucking long?” Merrick roared, his voice echoing across the room.
Merci shoved her palms against him. “A few weeks of none of your goddamn business. We hooked up when you went to New Mexico. But we didn’t realize it was going to turn into a relationship.”
Merrick scoffed and stared at his sister. “A relationship? With Hatchet? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Are you that naive? Hatchet doesn’t do relationships. I thought you were smart, but you’re a fucking idiot if you believe he isn’t fucking anyone else right now.”
I stepped forward, shoving Merrick hard. “Don’t fucking speak to her like that. And, for the record, I haven’t been with anyone else since the day she ended her engagement.”
Merrick shoved me back. “You know she’s off-limits.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I wanted to tell you. I love her.”
Merrick crossed his arms. “Clearly. More than your brothers. More than the club. I’m bringing it to Church. There are some lines you can’t cross. This is one of them. You’re done.”
My stomach dropped, but I’d give it all up for Merci. I slipped my cut from my shoulders and held it out. “Then take it. If you’re asking me to choose between Merci and the Mavericks, I choose her.”
I stepped away and shifted my gaze to Merci. Her glassy eyes shone with shock. I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her slowly. “I need to go for a ride. I’ll call you in a bit.”
Merci nodded. “Please drive safely,” she begged.
