AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m definitelynotdoing that.
She eyes me steadily, then stands and closes her iPad. “You aren’t some god or dark lord or whatever. You don’t need to forgive me. I never asked. I did something to protect my sister and—” Ivy pauses for a second. “I’ll help because innocent girls shouldn’t suffer like this. And because you’re helping my sister. I don’t care what you think of or do with me. Helpher. I…I need to go home now. I have work tomorrow and a few more classes before spring break to prep for.”
“You’re staying here. With me. Where it’s safe.”
“No—”
“You’re off tomorrow. I already arranged it. Go to bed, read a book, hold a séance. You can draw or call your sister or your friend, whatever the hell you want, but don’t talk about our deal.”
“No one would understand anyway.” Her voice is sullen.
Cara would understand, but again, I don’t say it. I need to get out of here. I need a real shower, without half my clothes on. I need to take care of this arousal that’s building becausefucking Pollyanna can do that to me in seconds. I need to get work done and start on my next step.
“I think there’s a media room in here somewhere. You can go there.”
“You think?”
I sigh. “There is. I just don’t use it. First floor. Stay out of my way, I’m busy.”
As I turn to go, she stops me.
“Was it true?”
I don’t face her. “What?”
“Your dad, your mom…what happened…”
Slowly I turn back. “If you’re asking if I killed him, I did. He beat her and did the same to me until I got bigger and could fight back. Would you like more detail so you can paint me as a tragic figure? Want me to tell you about the cops who put it down as an accident? How?—”
“Mercer, stop.” Her eyes are dark when she looks at me, and if I were another man, the way she’s staring at me might just crack my heart. “It’s not your fault.”
“It is. I killed him.”
“You…I can’t even imagine…it’s not your fault.”
“Fuck, just go do something if you can’t sleep, Ivy. Anything as long as it isn’t near me.”
With that, I leave her.
And I feel…
I have no fucking idea what I feel anymore.
EIGHTEEN
mercer
Third shower of the night.Gotta be some fucking record. I lean against the stone wall with my eyes closed, letting the cold water rush over my prickled skin.
Damn Ivy, anyway. She always manages to get inside, past all the cracks.
Iwasgoing to fuck her. Take her. She wanted it. And yeah, she was practically begging. I didn’t because… She’s been in deep at the club with her limits stretched. And even though she had room, space for me to push her a little more, I…I didn’t.
A million excuses run through my head.
Making her wait intensifies it all for someone like her.
It’s cruel.
