Page 18 of Mercy & Malice

Her hostility towards him is certainly working in my favor. And I see it growing as my brother bluntly states, “I do. You go with me. Or you don’t at all.”

This part is almost as thrilling as winning will be. Because despite the fact he’s not showing much emotion, I can see the storm brewing below the surface.

“You’re insane. Besides, it’s not your choice.” The second Ivy takes a step towards me, Luca explodes. Swiftly, he grabs Brooke by the throat, positioning her at the edge of the track. “It’s your choice. You go with me, or Brooke falls first.”

Every muscle in my body stiffens. I spot the fear in Brooke’s eyes. And for one of the few times in my life, I am too. I know he’s just as unhinged as I am. There’s no telling what we’ll do to win. I can’t let her be the cost.

“Luca.” I slowly maneuver closer to him. If he lets her go, I won’t be able to get to her before she falls.

Her pleas scrape along my nerves as she begs, “Don’t. Please. Luca, please stop.”

I don’t know what to do. If I step closer, he could end her. If I don’t, he still might try and I won’t be able to do a goddamn thing to stop him. And he sure as fuck won’t walk off this platform if Brooke doesn’t.

Ivy snaps, “Let her go.”

Luca keeps fixated on Ivy as he instructs her, “Make your choice.”

Brooke’s escalating panic causes me to move, inching closer as she begs, “Please, Ivy. I’ll go with Micah. You go with Luca. Okay?”

“Fine. Remove your hand now,” Ivy states.

I’m relieved when his fingers loosen on her neck, guiding her towards me despite my plan for Ivy to be on my team being botched. Once she’s within my grasp, I can finally breathe.

Brooke says, “You’re a fucking asshole, Luca.”

Without hesitation or remorse for nearly altering my world, he admits, “Yeah. I know.”

When Luca’s eyes meet mine, I understand his desperation and need for Ivy. Luca isn’t the only one whose existence is bound to another. The girl who’s always been there has become an essential fixture in my world.

Brooke puts on the harness tethered to mine as I watch my brother and Ivy do the same. Everything around me disappears, my focus on Luca until he and Ivy step off the ledge together.

What the fuck was that? I don’t steer off course for anyone. Why is the notion of my father finding out in the back of my mind? He’s been preaching about not getting distracted or going off course. And I just did. He would’ve wanted me to call Luca on his threat. Brooke should have been an obligatory expense. Dad would’ve said that sacrificing Brooke would’ve worked more in my favor because Ivy would never forgive Luca, not that she’s ever going to anyway. Do I have what it takes to win? Because I claimed that no one would throw me off track. Yet I just allowed it.

Brooke starts unfastening her harness. “I’m not playing. I hate this stupid freaking game.”

“I need a teammate,” I state, my mind still debating how to explain what happened tonight.

“Not my problem,” she says, a sob escaping.

I don’t want to do this without her. I want to forever tie my fate to hers. Clasping her trembling hand in mine, I do something I’ve never done in my life, I beg. “Please.”

After a slight hesitation, she says, “Okay.”

“Wait no.” Remy moves closer and I automatically shift in front of Brooke as he complains, “You’re supposed to be on my team.”

Garrett shouts, “What the hell, dude? You asked me to be on your team. I can’t play unless I’m with someone who was invited.”

Remy points to Garrett. “You’re with Micah. Brooke is with me. She’s pretty.”

“It probably would be better if we weren’t on the same team,” Brooke says to me.

“I disagree.” I refasten her harness. “I’m only playing if you’re on my team.”

“You weren’t so convinced a few minutes ago when you wanted Ivy on it.”

“That was to fuck with Luca. You know that.” I whisper in her ear, “I want you. You know we make a good pair.”

“Fuck,” she mutters under her breath before I hook us to the zip line. As soon as we step off the ledge, I know it worked out better. Yeah, teaming up with Ivy would’ve made it easier to mess with Luca’s head. But now I have someone by my side who I want to keep and who I trust.