Page 81 of Last Chance Seduction
“I don’t know if they can do anything about it, but I’m sure they’re going to try.I’m not sure they really like having other people send bookies and enforcers to innocent people’s homes.”I scowled.“And if they don’t, well, it’s a quick flight.”
“Oh, we’re going on a road trip?I’m in.I wonder if I’m allowed to bring brass knuckles in a suitcase?Probably not my carry-on.”Dash tapped his chin, then winced as my dad gently slapped the back of his head.
Dad glared at him before turning to me.“We are not going to take matters into our own hands.The authorities will take care of it, and your house will be right as rain, Mercy.For now though, you can stay with us or Lex.I’m pretty sure my son’s not going to want to let you out of his sight anytime soon.”
Mercy blushed, and I finally tugged on her arm.“Come sit next to me.I feel awkward with everybody standing around me.”
She rolled her eyes but tucked in next to me.
“That’s better.”
“Oh, I need a photo.”My mom pulled out her phone and snapped three photos before I had a chance to scowl at her.
“Seriously?This is the look that you want to remember?”I asked directly.
“I have a lovely photo of your dad and his brothers all with black eyes for some tussle or another framed at the office.You know that.”
“I want to know the story behind that,” Dash asked.
“Ask your father,” my dad said dryly, and then tilted his head towards the door.
“Come on, folks, let’s give these two time to talk.And seriously, we’re taking you guys home.Even if it’s Lex’s home, you’re not getting rid of us anytime soon.You scared the shit out of us.Okay?”Beckett Montgomery just shook his head and practically dragged my mom and the others out of the room after they all said their goodbyes.
Then it was just me and Mercy sitting on my hospital bed, waiting for paperwork, and finally I could breathe.
“I have never been so scared in my life,” I said after a moment.I turned in the bed so I could face her.I lifted her hand once more, bringing it to my lips.I pressed a kiss to her palm before we tangled our fingers and rested them on the bed.
Mercy stared at me before closing her eyes.“I can’t believe they just broke through my door like that.I didn’t know people did that outside of the movies.It was so damn scary.”
Guilt swept over me and I could kick myself.“All of that security and I opened the damn door to the people after you.I could have killed you.”
“Hey.You answered the door like we always do.You used the chain and didn’t let anyone in.And we had no idea they knew where I lived.It was all so…weird.Justin doesn’t even have my address so we thought I’d be safe.Even behind a chain that clearly didn’t work.My door is broken, but we’re okay.”
I wasn’t going to forgive myself any time soon.“We’re going to fix it.Don’t worry about that.”
“I don’t care about that.You could have died.Mr.Darcy could have died.I just—I just can’t believe Justin would do such a thing.”
That was the part that got me too.Because that wasn’t the man I’d become friends with.I didn’t know what the hell I was supposed to do about that.I wanted to strangle him though I knew it wouldn’t help anyone.“Neither one of us knew him.Or maybe he’s just changed even more so over time.But it’s over now.”
She sighed and kissed my cheek.“Good.Because I never want to see that much blood again.”
I looked down at my newly bandaged arm.“It really wasn’t that deep.”
“It was deep enough.And honestly, I hope that man’s wounds from Mr.Darcy gets infected.”
My lips twitched.“Well, I can hope that too.Your cat’s a badass.”
“And he knows it.He gets anything he wants.”
“I guess this means I should build a catio when I finish the renovations on my home.”
I said it offhandedly, but I couldn’t help but to keep my gaze on hers as the words spilled out.
She stiffened for a moment before her face softened.“I think we’d both like that.”She ran her fingers over my jaw, her gaze on my lips.“The holidays went by so fast, and I’m so grateful that I finally figured out that we live next door.”
Careful of the wound on her head, I pushed her hair back from her face.“You were always the girl next door.I’m just glad that you’re mine now.And I’m never letting you go.I hope you realize that.”
“Oh?You promise?”
