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Mercy
A few weeks later...
The music was pumping loudly as my brothers mingled and talked with the girls from the Gentlemen’s Club, drowning out the thunderstorm outside. It had been raining all day, and with more storms on the horizon, none of us left the clubhouse unless we had to.
Sitting at a table watching the brothers scramble, trying to persuade these young women to become their plaything for a few weeks or longer, was exhausting. Poor Shame couldn’t choose between the blonde or the redhead as both vied for his attention. Malice stood stiffly near the bar, fielding off several attempts, while Silver glowered and sneered at the women. Fury had already found his new fucktoy and vacated upstairs an hour ago. Just thinking about that poor girl had me shaking my head. He never kept a woman long enough to really get to know them. I gave the young woman two weeks before he cut her loose.
“There you are,” Tessa said, plopping down in the chair next to me as I heard a loud clap of thunder. “God, I’ll be glad when this night is over. I hate these meet and greets. It’s like watching a cattle auction.”
“Been to a lot of cattle auctions, have you?”
Tessa rolled her eyes and scoffed. “You know what I mean. This shit is disgusting. I’m with Illyria on this. No matter how Montana spins this crap, it’s prostitution. It’s barbaric and needsto stop. None of these brothers need help in finding someone to fuck. They like this shit because it’s convenient.”
“No one is making you do it.”
“Oh please,” the woman retorted. “There is no fucking way I’d let Montana run this show. He’s still pissed I sided with Illyria on the new contract. Plus, it’s my turn. Illyria is out of town this weekend. She and Maxim took their boys to the island to see Gio.”
Nodding, I took a long pull of my beer.
The Soulless Sinners’ Scholarship Fund, as it was now called, became a matter of great contention between Illyria and Montana. Illyria wanted the brothers scrutinized and examined, just like her girls were, and Montana didn’t. Then there was the cash. Illyria insisted that the chosen girls received half up front and a percentage of the rest, incrementally, depending on how long they stayed. The longer they stayed, the more they got. Those who were not chosen were given a flat five grand for attending, paid for by the club’s coffers. Montana thought Illyria was bleeding the club dry, while Illyria believed she was providing a service that he demanded and was merely ensuring that her girls were paid accordingly.
In the end, it was Tessa who sided with Illyria.
“Before I forget, Sophia is staying the weekend with us. If you want to swing by and spend some time with her. I know she would love that.”
Looking at Tessa, I frowned, sitting up straighter. “What? What do you mean?”
“I thought Montana would have told you. Largo’s been busy with the upcoming Stone Trust. Between meetings and party planning, Largo is running herself ragged.”
“I thought Virginia was helping her?” I asked, looking around for Montana when lightning lit up the darkness outside.
“She was, but Virginia came down with the flu and hasn’t left her bed in days. Everything’s fallen in Largo’s lap. So, I offered to take Sophia for the weekend to give her a break.”
“So Largo is at the penthouse, alone?” I asked, tensing when another rumble of thunder rolled overhead.
“Yeah,” Tessa replied casually. “She said she was going to stay in and go over some figures for the Stone Gala next week. Why?”
Getting to my feet, I headed for the door when Montana appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my arm. “Where are you going, Mercy? It’s raining cats and dogs out there.”
Grabbing his cut, I hauled him close. “She is home alone, asshole. In a fucking thunderstorm.”
“What?” Montana asked.
“Largo. Did you forget she has a fear of storms?”
“Oh shit,” my friend whispered, looking around for someone.
“Forget it,” I sneered. “I’m going.”
“Mercy,” he growled. “I don’t think—”
“No. You don’t get to order me anymore. She’s my fucking wife,” I snarled, pushing past him, walking out into the storm. Running for my truck, I had just climbed in when I heard my phone ringing. Reaching for it, I immediately connected the call upon seeing Largo’s name.
“Caleb,” her voice quivered as thunder clapped loudly in the background.
“I’m on my way, baby.”
“Please hurry.”
