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Chapter Three
Mercy
“Those that can bend with the wind will weather the storm.” ~ Unknown
I sat there, twirling the glass of scotch, lost in the memories of the night when the faint scent of oak and vanilla wafted up to my nose. I remembered everything, from Payne laying down his bike, to finding Largo at the hospital. My mind whirled in turmoil. I could almost smell the scent of her tears clinging to her brother’s lifeless body, desperately yearning for him to return. Hearing the sorrowful cries of her anguish pierced my soul. I wanted so much to stay with her. Hold her, comfort her, and for a brief minute, I did, until my self-preservation took hold.
Three years had passed since our divorce, and throughout that time, Largo had remained crystal clear, she didn’t want me anymore. I tried everything I could. I pleaded, begged her to come home, but she refused.
All that remained of us was our daughter, Sophia.
When I saw Largo in the garden near the hospital, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I was hallucinating. I could tell she was upset and wanted to offer my help. What caught me off guard was the way she kissed me, like her life was hanging in the balance and she needed that connection in order to survive. The way she embraced me, melting into my arms with such fervor,clinging onto me like I was her lifeline, willingly surrendering herself to the fierce storm of emotions that raged between us, left me feeling emotionally shattered. Time appeared to suspend itself between us, creating a moment frozen in eternity. It was a moment of pure isolation, where the world seemed to fade away and it was just us.
It had always been like that with Largo.
From the first moment I met her, she consumed me.
I never wanted another.
Only her.
In my dreams, she was a constant, ethereal presence that I couldn’t escape. Each and every night that I found slumber, her exquisite countenance would manifest itself, tormenting me ceaselessly. I wasn’t sleeping anymore. Just a few hours here and there. Her face was everywhere I went.
Even in the golden hue of the scotch I held in my hand, I could clearly see her. Everything from her beautiful smile to the sparkle of mischief in her eyes. As time passed, my worry, hurt, and confusion turned into a desperate longing, a desire, a burning need to know why she walked away from me, from our daughter, from our life together.
“You want to tell me what the fuck happened tonight?”
“No.”
Montana Stone wasn’t a man who liked to be told no. I knew that. Everyone knew that, but that didn’t stop me from telling my best friend no. Because that’s what he was right now. My best friend. Not my prez. Besides, I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone because no matter what, the conversation always ended with Largo.
I got that he had questions.
Hell, everyone had questions.
I did too, but I didn’t know the answers any more than he did.
She was my wife. Not his.
Shutting the door behind him, he took his seat at the head of the table, crossing his arms over his chest.
“How’s the arm?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I swallowed the amber liquid before reaching for the decanter and pouring myself another drink, ignoring him.
“Gonna ask you one more time, Mercy, before I bring the board in. What the fuck happened tonight?”
“No clue,” I uttered dismissively before taking another drink.
“Bullshit. Fury said you veered. Clipped Payne.”
“Then that’s what happened.”
“God damnit, Mercy. Talk to me!”
“Got nothing to say.”
“Fine,” he growled. “Have it your way.”
