Page 37 of Pride
Alice turnedoff the radio receiver and sat back on the sofa in her apartment. She’d planted a bug in Parker’s jacket pocket and couldn’t process what she’d just heard. Next to her, Mercy gave a long, drawn out whistle. Then she turned to Alice and rested her head on her hand.
“You want to talk about it, babe?” Mercy asked.
Alice frowned. “I guess, we give him some space and then get his answer in a few days. They need our help to cover all the tracker locations. He’ll say yes.”
“Oh, no.” Mercy smirked. “I meant, do you want to talk about what you said to Parker at dinner?”
Alice switched the radio receiver back on, in case there was more to hear.
“Babe,” Mercy said, turning it off again. “I’m serious. I think you should talk about it.”
“Talk about what, Mercy?” Alice went to the tiny kitchen in the corner of her apartment. She checked on the cookies cooling on a rack. Baking and cooking had become a sort of therapy. It relaxed her.
Mercy followed her into the kitchen. “You told Parker you’ve been attracted to him for years.”
Alice’s shoulders dropped.
“Why are you fighting this?”
Alice rounded on her. “Because he hates me. Because I’m a Sinner and I can’t leave the Sisterhood. Because there’s a world to save. Take your pick.”
“You know that’s all bullshit.” Mercy touched one of the cookies, testing the temperature. Alice whacked her hand away, eliciting a scowl on her sister’s face. “What’s the real reason?”
“Maybe I don’t want to leave the only family I have.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” Mercy folded her arms. “I’m still not seeing why you won’t give this a chance. You heard what Raven said—this alliance is the beginning of a new era for us Sinners. With you leading the way, the rest of us might actually find happiness. That’s what you want, right?” She paused, narrowed her eyes. “Whatdoyou want?”
“I…” Alice was almost too afraid to think aboutit, butitforced itself into her mind all the same. She wanted to be wanted, but how could someone like Parker fall for someone like her? “I’ll never be at his level, Mercy.”
“What level is that? From where I’m standing, you’re both so similar.”
“No, Parker is perfect. I’m… wrong. I’m wrong and I’m full of sin. It’s his destiny to battle someone like me.”
Mercy snorted. “He’s far from perfect and I’m not talking about the missing arm or the arrogance.”
“What do you mean?”
She waved at the radio. “He’s got major performance anxiety.”
“I don’t think that’s—”
“Sure it was. He’s got the same issues as all of us. He thinks his heart doesn’t matter. Now, who do I know who sounds like that?” She tapped her lip and gave Alice a pointed look. “No wonder you two are a good match.” At Alice’s shaking head, she added, “God, you’re just as stubborn as he is, but let me remind you of something. The more stubborn, the more that heart is locked tight, the greater the reward and the loyalty. Crack that shell of his and he’s yours forever. Trust me, I know. There was once this old navy captain I dated who’d locked himself up in this little cottage—”
“Got it,” Alice interrupted. She didn’t need the full details of Mercy cracking the hard shell of her sexual conquest.
“The point is, I still get letters from this captain. He loves me.”
“You should stop playing with his heart.”
“Believe me, I’ve tried.” She dusted her shoulder. “But the difference between me and you is that I don’t want a steady relationship. I don’t dream about happy ever afters. You do. So it’s there if you’re brave enough to take it.”
Alice canted her head, searching her sister’s face. Did she truly believe that kind of love existed in Alice’s future?
Mercy flicked her hair dramatically. “I know, I know. You’re thinking, how does a nympho like me become so wise when it comes to love—”
“It’s because you have the biggest heart of them all.”
“Well,” Mercy scoffed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Maybe Tawny has that brag.”
