Page 45 of Mercy & Malice

What he really means is he’s going for Luca’s stake in the Montclair estate. His resentment has been clear ever since our grandfather left us equal shares as our father. He felt he deserved more and his solution is to attain Luca’s portion so he has majority control.

There are Keepers who are stakeholders in the company. I’m just unsure who exactly. My grandfather would be livid to know his legacy was intertwined with the secret society that was responsible for my uncle’s death. My father on the other hand wants them as a part of it, keeping the powerful connections close since he can’t officially be a part of them.

Nearly an hour after our conversation, I’m still restless, so I head down to the gym. I’m dripping sweat and drained when my message alert goes off.

Brooke: Football game is over. What is your first request, Prince Montclair? I’m going to need a cover story for my father if I’m going to be out all night. Ivy will probably vouch for me, but I need to know now.

I reread the message, my aggravation still too great to shove away. And I know it stems from my own father, but I take it out on her.

Me: Go home to your daddy.

Brooke: Seriously? You don’t want to boss me around and humiliate me just because you can?

Me: Do whatever the fuck you want.

My phone rings and when I see her calling, I send it to voicemail.

Me: In the gym.

I watch as the dots appear like she’s typing but after a moment, they go away and nothing comes through, so I get back to my workout.

Not long after, I get another message. And I feel like a chump because I hope it’s her and am disappointed when it’s not.

Remy: Coming to the party?

Me: No.

Remy: You sure? Brooke is here. Hate for that mistaken identity thing to happen again.

Motherfucker. I’m going to kill him. I’m more than aware he’s fucking with my head. But when he told me that Brooke was so out of it, she fucked my brother thinking it was me, it hit a nerve. And there hasn’t been one second when she has ever mistaken us, even drunk. So why is his joke yanking on my goddamn nerves? Why do I let my father’s insinuations get to me? Or is it Luca’s superiority that’s getting to me? I don’t fucking know, but I turn back to the punching bag, pounding on it until I’m too depleted to give a shit.

As I head upstairs, Luca walks through the front door notably alone.

“Precious Ivy already bail on you?” I ask.

He doesn’t respond but is visibly bothered.

My father’s correct. Ivy will be his downfall. She’s undoubtedly his weakness. And I know for a fact Brooke has become mine. Because I’m not even deliberating where Ivy is. I am wondering why Brooke isn’t here when I have the perfect setup and opportunity to make her bend to my will. But that’s just it. I want her to need me enough to not let anything stop her like her father’s stupid-ass rules or whatever excuse she has to keep me at a distance.

So, I sulk and waste the opportunity. But have to admit, I’m relieved when I hear the doorbell and a few seconds later my bedroom door swings open.

She saunters in, her hands propped on her hips. “Why are you ignoring me?”

“How could anyone possibly ignore you, Brooke?” I drape my arm over my face, waiting for her rant to begin. But it doesn’t.

When I open my eyes and look to her, she asks, “Are you okay?”

Damn it. I wanted her angry at me, not concerned and sympathetic. I get off my bed and stand in front of her. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Micah, you can talk to me,” she utters, her hand tenderly stroking over the faded bruise on my stomach and it makes me feel weak.

I step away, pulling on a shirt. “Go talk to my brother. I have shit to do.”

She’s on my heels as I move around my room, “What the heck is that supposed to mean? I know the matchup took a toll on you, but the real lesson should’ve been that you should not fistfight your twin, ding-dong.”

The fight is only a prickle of irritation on my radar. There’s so much else crowding my mind. There’s no way I believe what dickhead Remy said, but there’s still an annoying voice that won’t shut the hell up. Especially combined with my father saying she seemed cozy with Luca. Either way, it’ll piss her off and she’ll leave. “Did you fuck my brother?”

Her head tilts to the side, her hand returning to her hip as she asks, “Why are you asking me that?”