Page 42 of Shot For Mercy

“Thanks for giving me hope,” I sigh.

“I’m just being real with you.” She grimaces, and she asks for more shots. “And you know I’m telling the truth.”

“I know,” I say sadly. “And the worst part is that I don’t know where I stand with Emiliano.”

“What do you mean?”

I take the next three shots, and then my head feels light and fuzzy. I have to focus really hard on my thoughts, and I wave down the bartender and ask for water. He smiles and nods. “He—he wants me, then doesn’t. He’s giving me whiplash.”

“What the fuck?” she snaps. “Coley-boy. He can’t even make up his mind and you’re willing to risk it all?” I nod, and she shakes her head, a look of pity in her eyes. “Fucking hell.”

“I know,” I sigh, accepting the water from the bartender. My eyes prick with unshed tears, and she rubs my back in slow circles. “I don’t know what the fuck to do. Matteo is really going to hate me.”

“You have to choose, babe,” she says softly. “Who’s worth more to you?”

“I can’t pick.” I shake my head roughly, and it swims, making me dizzy. “Matteo will have to pick for all of us.”

“And you think Emiliano will keep you?”

“I don’t know.” If I’m being honest, this all feels like a dream. A figment of my imagination. I kind of want to wake up already. At least I’d know what’s real and what’s not. “He said he would, but he’s pissed at me right now.”

“Why?” She frowns.

“I told Matteo I love him.” I shrug, and she winces. “As a friend, was that wrong of me?”

“I wouldn’t say it was wrong,” she tells me gently, laying her hand on top of mine. I need the affection right now. I need someone to tell me everything’s going to be okay. “But I can see why that would upset him. You’ve had sex with his son, and he wants you to be his. Maybe he sees Matteo as his competition. That has to be hard, Cole.”

“I guess I never thought about it that way.” I frown. “That makes sense.”

“See? This is why you come to me.” She smirks, and I roll my eyes. “I’m smart sometimes.”

“You’re smart all the time.” I grin.

“Hey, sexy,” a man drawls from behind us, and I tense. “Mind if we go upstairs?”

Amy tenses. “Sorry, I’m off shift,” she says softly, trying to keep it professional. “But you can schedule an appointment at the front desk.”

“Nah.” He grins. “I think you can fit me in right now.”

“I’m busy?—”

“Hey, you heard her,” I snap at the man, getting up from the barstool and facing him. “She said no.”

“She’s a fucking whore, bro.” He shakes his head. “She should be available.”

“Excuse me?” Amy exclaims, her bottom lip wobbling.

“Motherfucker,” I growl. “Get the fuck out.”

“Who the fuck are you?” He narrows his eyes. “I’ll leave after I fuck her.”

“She’s mine,” I lie. “Now back off.”

“I don’t think so.” The guy’s eyes are still narrowed, and before I know it, I’m throwing the first punch.

My hand throbs as it connects with his jaw, and I feel my knuckles splitting open. They’ll probably need stitches this time. I’ll be lucky if my hand isn’t broken.

“Cole!” Amy yells. “Stop!”

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