Page 10 of Ruthless Beasts

The turn of events that had taken our lives by storm in the last twenty-four hours could only be described as that.

Interesting.

I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my best friend, my dead sister's husband, had married someone else. I hadn’t stopped it. He deserved all the best things in this world, but I couldn’t quite come to terms with this recent change of events.

He had asked me last night over a cigar and whiskey how I felt about the situation, and the only word that came to mind was numb. I was numb to feeling anything at all. I’ve been numb for quite some time, and seeing him kiss another woman didn’t spark an ounce of feeling within me. I just felt… numb.

But even with that numbness looming over me, it didn’t stop the demons from attacking. Didn’t stop the dreams that haunted me. They were sharper this time, my sister's bloodied face more prominent than it had been in the past. I had thought that thememory was fading. I hadn’t seen her in a while. But I guess I was wrong.

Or maybe today just brought it back to the surface, encouraging my mind to play games with me. Still, I felt nothing. Not hate nor fear. Not anguish. Or anger.

Numb.

I probably would forever feel this way.

I pulled out a pan from the cabinet before placing it in the oven to preheat. It was my turn to make breakfast, and though it was earlier than normal, I couldn’t sleep. I started dough for biscuits, which I rarely made, but I knew they were Adam’s favorite. And if I was making Adam’s favorite, I had to make Mercer's favorite potatoes.

I had just placed the biscuits into the hot cast iron pan when Mercer walked into the kitchen. His eyes were half mast, his hair a mess as he stumbled for the coffee bar. “Fresh?”

“Yep. Made it twenty minutes ago.” I grabbed a potholder, so the handle didn’t scorch me, and placed the biscuits in the oven. Then I stirred the sausage. “It’s Columbian roast.”

“I’ll take it,” He mumbled as he poured some into a mug.

It took half the cup, and then topping it off before the man looked human again. “Rough night?”

He glared at me from over his mug. “It’s about to be a rougher day. Is Boss up yet?”

“If he is, he hasn’t surfaced.” I stirred the potatoes. “How do you think this is going to go?”

“Oh.” Mercer rose a brow. “Complete and utter destruction. No doubt. Hands down, a fucking disaster.”

“I see we're on the same page then.” I chuckled.

“How are you? With it all?”

I knew what he was asking. How was I seeing my sister’s husband shackled to another girl? How did I feel knowing he is moving on? Even if it’s reluctant?

Numb.

I feel fucking numb.

“It’s good for him. He’ll see.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.” Mercer’s always intense blue eyes watched me knowingly.

“It’s all I can offer.” I blew out a breath. “It’s all I have.”

He didn’t push me, and for that I was thankful. Instead, he stepped up, stirring the sausage so it didn’t burn. Silently, we worked side by side. Composing a breakfast that could feed an army when it was only four who would eat. I’d offer any leftovers to the guards or something. Maybe make some extra coffee, too. He worked on cutting up fruit; I worked making a rue. It wasn’t until the girl stepped foot in the kitchen that either of us spoke again.

We hadn’t heard her come in. Hadn’t seen her enter. Both of us were stuck in our thoughts, our guards clearly lowered. She could have killed us. Would I blame her? It was shocking she hadn’t attempted it yet.

“Can I-“ She paused and licked her lips. Why did my eyes follow that movement, desperate to take in every bit of the replacement wife? “Can I have some water, please?”

At her request, Mercer dropped what he was doing, nearly falling over himself to oblige. He took a cup from the cupboard and walked over to the fridge. “Did you want cold or room temperature?”

She bit her lip, her green eyes looking huge as they darted between us, judging what type of threat we were. “Cold please?”

Mercer ignored her wariness. “If you’re thirsty, you don’t have to ask. Hungry too. This is your house now. Cold water is on the fridge door. But if you decided you wanted room temperature, there are bottles in the pantry. Or if you prefer bottled water, we could put some of those in the fridge if you like. It’s whatever you prefer.”

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