Page 45 of Shot For Mercy

“She’s my friend,” I say slowly. “I would’ve done it for Matteo, too.”

Emiliano tenses at the mention of his son’s name, and I know I’ve made a mistake. “Yeah, I just bet you would.”

“What the fuck is your problem?” I snap, getting angry myself.

“YOU! You’re my problem!” he yells.

My eyes sting without my permission, and I look away. I’m never good enough for him; that’s what I’ve gathered so far. It doesn’t matter what I do. I always seem to fuck things up between us. It’s frustrating that I can never show him how much he means to me. Or I do, and it doesn’t seem to matter, anyway.

“Wait—” Emiliano breathes. “Don’t. Please.”

I look at him, and he shakes his head quickly, but it’s too late. A tear trails down my cheek, and he looks broken up over it.

“Don’t cry,” he says softly, grabbing me and placing me right on his lap, my legs straddling him. “I can’t stand it.”

“I’m never going to be good enough for you, am I?” I sniffle. “Never.”

“W-what?” He seems genuinely confused, shaking his head again. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

I frown, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. I don’t want to look weak in front of him, but he makes me vulnerable. “No,” I growl. “Tell me why you’re angry at me. I don’t think it’s because of the fight. It’s not, huh? So tell me.”

“Why was Amy all over you?” he blurts. “Why were you all over her?”

“We’re just friends,” I clarify.

“Friends don’t act like that.”

“Wait—” I search his honey brown eyes, darker because of the lighting. His nostrils flare as he looks at me. “Please tell me you don’t think I like her like that.”

“Do you?” he asks through gritted teeth.

“God, Em.” I groan. “I’mgay. I’m not attracted to women.”

Emiliano’s eyes widen, and his hands come to rest on my hips, gripping me tightly. He looks like I just told him I have a second dick, and it makes me chuckle. I’ve never even been with a woman. The thought of entering a vagina has never appealed to me.Ever.

He’s stunned to silence—clearly.

“I’ve never even been with a woman,” I tell him, and his jaw drops. “The thought grosses me out.”

“What?” His eyes widen in surprise. “Never?”

I shake my head. “It’ll always be men for me.”

He narrows his eyes at the way I word that, and he lets go of my hip and wraps his hand around my throat tightly. I can barely breathe, and it makes my cock kick in my jeans. Fuck. “It’ll always bemefor you.”

“Y-yes,” I gasp, barely able to get the words out. “Always.”

“Let me clarify this for you, Cole,” Emiliano says softly, leaning in and biting my lip. He cups my cheeks gently, then kisses the tip of my nose. “You’re mine. I don’t want to hear about anyone else before me because there will never be anyone after me. I fuckingownyou.”

I nod quickly. “I’m yours.”

“You’ll always be good enough for me.” My heart clenches in my chest at his words, and his hands tighten on my face. “You’re perfect for me.”

“Fuck, stop.” My eyes sting again. “I?—”

“No.” He shakes his head. “You need to hear this.”

I breathe in deeply, and he continues.

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