Page 102 of Finding Mercy

Ivy nods, “Sometimes we get to make cookies when I eat what she gives me.”

“Oh, I love chocolate chip cookies.”

Ivy squeals, “Me too. Mercy makes the best cookies.”

She smiles at Ivy, “Is there anything else that happened with your mom we should know about?”

“No. She said mean words. She doesn’t like Mercy.”

She nods, “Okay. If you remember anything else Mercy and Liam will have my phone number, so you can call me.”

Ivy nods, “Can I go home now?”

“You sure can. We might come visit you soon, okay?”

Ivy beams, “I will show you my princess room. It’s got princesses on the wall. And the bed. And lots of princess toys.”

She giggles, “That sounds lovely, Ivy. I can’t wait to see it.”

The detective brings Ivy out to us, and she immediately jumps into Mercy’s arms.

She hands me a card, “Call me if she remembers anything else.”

I nod, “Thank you.”

We walk out of the police station and head home.

Thirty-Five

MERCY

After gettingher some proper dinner, we got her into her pajamas,Frozenones, of course, and put her to bed. We walk out of her bedroom together, and Liam asks if I want wine, and after the last five days, I definitely do.

I sit on the couch, and Liam comes in and hands me a glass of wine.

“We need to talk,” I said after taking a gulp of my wine and setting it on the coffee table.

He nods and sits beside me.

I blow out a big breath, “I’m sorry.”

He stares at me in surprise, “For what?”

I laugh, “Liam, I’m aware that I’ve been the worst fiancé’ any man has ever had. I didn’t know how to deal with her being taken from us. I was so worried about what was happening to her. I was so lost in my own devastation, that I ignored yours.”

“Baby girl, I would not have expected you to know how to deal with that. You were not easy to handle. But I’m not sure I would’ve imagined you would react any differently. I do wish you would have turned to me instead of away from me. Still, I can’t blame you for reacting in a negative way.”

He sets his wine glass on the table beside mine, “If I don’t kiss you right now, I’m going to lose my mind. It’s been five fucking days. Let me kiss you.”

I smirk at him, “Wow. Are you asking permission, Dr. Lexington? It seems you’ve lost your edge.”

“Dirty girl, I have most definitely not lost my edge.”

He grabs me by my hair, pulls my lips to his, and kisses me with a hard, bruising kiss, it’s all lips and teeth clashing, with an urgency I’ve never seen from him.

When he pulls back, he picks me up, carrying me over his shoulder to the bedroom.

He sets me down and immediately starts undressing me.

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