Page 31 of Going Down Smooth: Part One

NATE

“Mercy Smooth, it’s so good to see you,” a tiny little old lady says as she makes her way toward us in the foyer.

The reception area is modern, with white walls and the original exposed brick that I admire appreciatively. Comfy, streamlined black couches sit on opposites sides of old bourbon barrels cut in half now used as a coffee table. It’s creative, giving the interior design a touch of sustainability by repurposing the old wood. Glass displays full of old bottles of bourbon and original artifacts line the shelves inside. Next to each case is a placard giving the visitor a history of each item and how it ties to the story of Smooth Bourbon.

“Mrs. Caroline!” Mercy sounds surprised as the Beta embraces her with a hug. “You’re still here,” Mercy says before letting go of the smiling woman and stepping back.

“I promised your—” she pauses, hands trembling as she covers mouth to hold back a sob. It’s evident she’s trying to get a handle on her grief over the loss of Mercy’s father before she continues. Grabbing both of Mercy’s hands in hers she composes herself. “I promised Mr. Smooth that I would be here with you. A lot of people didn’t know how sick he was near the end. . . He thought he had more time.” She gazes at Mercy, eyes glassy but she doesn’t let the tears fall as she replaces her frown with a smile. “Look at me, this is not the time for emotions. It’s a time for action. The board members and the lawyers are waiting.”

She hands Mercy and Freeya a folder without missing a beat and turns on her heel. “In those folders you will find all the quarterly reports and projections for growth for the next couple of months. Your father made sure the books were clear. This is a clean slate for the company, and I honestly can’t wait to see what you do with it, Mercy.” Mrs. Caroline claps her hands together in excitement as we reach a large industrial-sized elevator.

“I hope I can live up to my father’s expectations,” Mercy replies as she looks down at the paperwork, her hands running over the report almost reverently. The last pieces of paper her father probably touched I assume.

“Oh, my goodness, forgive my manners boys. I mean, you’re not boys anymore, but it is good to see you back in the building as well.” Mrs. Caroline’s cheeks flush pink as her eyes land on each of us, making Lox bellow with laughter.

“Mrs. Caroline, are you blushing?” He walks up to the little old lady and hugs her like she was his long-lost grandmother.

She slaps Lox’s arms. “Lox, you haven’t changed a bit, I see.” She smirks, wiggling out of his arms and pressing the elevator button in front of us.

“Nope.” All of us, even Mercy says in unison, making Freeya laugh at how easy it fell from our lips.

“We missed you too, Mrs. Caroline,” Knight says beside me, he gets a faraway look on his face, and I know he is thinking of the day our parents died. Mrs. Caroline held him while he cried, and I don’t think I’ve seen my brother shed a tear since. The door pings as it opens and she ushers us in, giving Knight and I a squeeze in remembrance of that terrible day as we pass her.

The ride up is quiet except for Mercy’s whispered talks to Freeya, who is tapping away on the tablet she pulled from her purse the moment the elevator doors closed. I’m still reeling over the secret she’s keeping, but I guess in a way she’s not our concern. As long as they don’t hurt her, I wish Mercy’s friend the best. I am sure Mercy won’t be as easy-going as we are about it, though. They both seem very protective of one another, and I know that comes from years of watching each other’s backs. I can only be grateful Mercy found Freeya and they created their own bond with each other, especially when we couldn’t.

The elevator door springs open, and before we can all file out, Christopher Smooth is there waiting. Mercy steps in front of all of us, and to my surprise Knight doesn’t stop her, which only makes Christopher look at us with is lips turned down in disgust.

“Have you rolled over to expose your bellies for her as well?” he asks. None of us take the bait. He scoffs and turns his attention back to his daughter.

“Mercy, your mother is worried about you. When you left the house the other day, in heat, she feared for your safety, if you had stayed—”

Mercy growls, making Mrs. Caroline gasp in surprise. The little old lady somehow found her way behind us at the sight of Christopher. I wonder then if it was out of fear. “You don’t get to act like the concerned father. You don’t get to insult me or my pack. I will call MY mother when things settle down. In fact, where is she, father? Does she know you’re here? What about my other father, you know, your other packmate?” She steps closer to him in challenge. I can see Knight’s fists clenching at his sides, but he doesn’t stop her. Trey bristles beside me and Lox cracks his neck in anticipation of a fight.

Christopher studies his daughter. His frown deepens as he stares at all of us in the open elevator, then smiles, as if he has mentally changed tactics. His quick change in demeanor only concerns me more. What is he up to?

“You’re right, Mercy, I said some awful, unforgiveable things out of grief for my lost brother. You know I love you. I love all my daughters.” He beams, smiling wide, like he wasn’t just looking at her like she was bathed in shit. He moves away from the door and Mercy storms past him, not gracing him with another look as she turns right, knowing her destination.

“You do realize he didn’t answer your questions,” Knight says as he saunters beside her. “He’s up to something, and I don’t like the fact he’s allowed to be here. This has nothing to do with him.”

“I never thought I would see the day when I would consider one of my fathers an enemy.” Mercy nods in agreement with Knight and continues down the hall. Freeya and Mrs. Caroline hot on her heels.

“I don’t know if enemy is the right word,” I say to my three brothers as we stand blocking the hallway as Christopher stands with another man who I don’t recognize. “I would call him exactly what he is,” I say turning my back to the men a few feet away from us.

“And what is that?” Knight asks.

“A villain.”

NINETEEN

FREEYA

“Do you want this, Freeya?” Avion’s voice flows over my heated skin, his lips barely brushing me as my hands reach for him, needing him closer, needing his touch.

I moan as a warm mouth sucks my hardened nipples into their mouths. My back arches off the bed as I plead for relief. “Please, please, no more. I need to cum.” A frustrated tear falls down my cheek and a tongue laps it up with a groan.

“Fuck, she is exquisite,” a deep voice says from the shadows of the room we are in.

A finger plunges deep inside my throbbing core, making me cry in ecstasy. Maybe this time they will give me what I want, what I need. Sweat drenches my skin. I am exhausted by the number of times I’ve been on the brink of an orgasm only to be left wanting.

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