Page 14 of Merc

To me, Merc had been nothing but a gentleman.

Well, he did kill two men and wound one as if it was nothing.

If he was a gangster, a member of a criminal organization, did that mean Rey was into illegal things and that’s why people were after him?

Had I been too naïve and trusting? Was what was going on more serious than I realized?

“Are you a drug dealer? Is Rey? Is that why people were shooting at him?”

Merc’s grip on my hand tightened as he stroked it with his thumb. His smile was playful as he looked down at me. “Okay, detective. Don’t start asking questions you don’t really want or need the answer to.” He paused as he opened the door to let me out then added, “Besides, on the off chance the police find Gatlin before I do, the less you know about the shooting… the better.”

That was all I needed to hear. My questions stopped, and I also decided against letting him take me to my parents’ house. If someone was watching Rey and us, I didn’t want to lead them to my parents.

“Um… we don’t have to go to my parents’ house,” I said as he opened the door of a white Challenger for me to get in.

The left side of his mouth lifted into a smirk before he licked his lips, eyeing my frame fully. “You scared now?”

“N-no, I-I…”

“It’s cool, Neo. Just get in.”

His head shook as he chuckled and gently guided me inside the car. My heart raced as I watched him calmly make his way around to the driver’s side. The more I was around this man, the more curious I became about him. But now… I couldn’t help but wonder if I needed to keep my distance and stay my ass at the house.

I was glad I didn’t let my nerves get the best of me. Instead of going to my parents’ house, I allowed Merc to kidnap me for the day. He took me shopping, then we went to a Grizzlies game with his crew, which included Bully and Innvy since they were dating and so stinking cute. My homegirl Harmony was there too, along with my boy Saint. We met within the Memphis music scene, and he was a connection for me to showcase local artists at my store for my monthly open mic night and concerts.

I could have almost cried when I saw Innvy, Harmony, and Saint. Though Merc stayed close, I pretty much spent the evening with my people. Saint assured me that nothing would happen to me while in their presence after he and I explained to Merc how we knew each other.

Also at the game was Kahlil and Honey, Hosea and Cartier, Elite and Denali, Supreme and Nicole, Tyreek and Janae, and Antonne and Haley.

Talk about big money and Black excellence.

That was my type of crowd for sure.

Now that it was over, I didn’t want it to end. I gave all the ladies hugs, saving Harmony and Innvy for last.

“Is he taking care of you?” Innvy asked. “I’ll tell Bully if he isn’t.”

With a giggle, I held my bestie even tighter. “He is… in his own way.”

“Uh oh.” She released me so we could face each other. “What does that mean?”

My eyes shifted toward Merc. Even though he appeared to be listening to what Bully and Saint were saying, his eyes were trained on me. It made my heart squeeze.

“He’s weird. Like… he’s very ni—kind. And generous. The man dropped stacks on me at the mall earlier like it was nothing, all because we had to waste time until the game started. He brought me things to occupy my time at the mansion, and you know I told you he kept me fed that weekend of the shooting when Bully told him I was working double shifts.”

“All of that sounds great, Neo. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t think it’s because he likes me.” I didn’t realize how crazy that sounded until I said it and we both laughed. “I think he’s truly a gentleman. A class act. I don’t know. I’m not used to it. Plus, he said he was a gangsta, which doesn’t fit his character, but I guess it does because he protects and kills people. He doesn’t flirt with me at all, and I don’t think he even likes me. He might be physically attracted to me, but that’s it. I don’t know. I’m just having a hard time figuring him out.”

“So to condense that, you like him, and you aren’t sure he likes you too.”

“Innvy…”

“You like that man,” she said, voice lower as she grinned and gripped my arm. “And I don’t blame you. Like, at all.”

Unable to deny it, I covered my face as I giggled. “I dooo,” I whined before groaning and lowering my hands. “But he doesn’t like me too. Plus, he has something going on at home that he’s very tight lipped about. He basically told me not to get attached to him so…” With a shrug, I looked at Merc as he made his way over to us. “I guess I just have to get through this without falling for his weird ass even more.”

“If he’s anything like Bully, and I’m sure he is because they are friends, I bid you good luck with that. Chile, Bully got me sprung already, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.”

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