Page 31 of No Mercy
Laughter bubbles up in my chest as I watch them laugh and cheer him on, their phones trained on us, making us the stars of their own show. I glance up to make sure the light is still red before jumping in, singing, “Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low!” I roll my shoulders and lower myself in sync with the beat, leaning into the moment.
Just as the song ends the lights turn green and we’re greeted with the sounds of horns and cheers as we speed off towards the apartment.
It’s time for us to get ready for our dates.
Eight outfit changes later and Flynn is finally ready, suited and booted to impress Mandy. “Are you sure it’s not too much?” He asks as he examines himself in the mirror. Sighing. I put my phone down on the bed next to me and sit up to face him. “You’re not going to a wedding, you’re going on a date. You look fine, stop stressing.”
He nods his head at my words as he runs his hands down the suit one last time. As I watch him turn to walk out my door, he stops and faces me one more time. “What about my hair, is my hair okay?”
A wave of deja vu hits me as I push off the bed. Walking over to Flynn, I grip his shoulders to steady him. “Flynn, you look great. Relax.”
He takes a deep breath, clearing his throat before heading toward the living room. I follow him and spot Ant on the sofa, laptop open. The moment he sees me, he snaps it shut, like he doesn’t want me to see what he’s up to. I sit beside him and give his shoulder a nudge. “Watching porn again?” I tease.
He grunts and stands, leaving me to sit alone.
Ant always hated that word; even back when we were kids, he was the one brother who refused to watch that stuff. When he used to talk, he’d go on about how it degraded women and painted a fake reality. Feeling a pang of guilt, I follow him to his room. “Hey, Ant, sorry—” I start, but he just turns his computer screen toward me.
In bold letters, the wordsMake sure Flynn doesn’t do anything stupidstares back at me. My confusion must show, because he sighs and types again.
Make sure Flynn gets Mandy home safe.
A look of understanding crosses my face, and I nod. “You got it, brother. She’ll get home safe.” I watch as he slumps back in his chair, relief in his eyes.
Just as I’m about to ask more, Flynn pops his head around the door frame. “Axel, we gotta go, I’ll meet you at the car,” he calls before disappearing down the hall.
“She’ll be okay” I tell Ant before heading down to meet Flynn.
The entire car ride is just Flynn rambling non stop about the menu at the restaurant he’s taking Mandy to. I can’t tell if he’s more excited about the date or the damn chocolate cake for dessert.
Relief floods through me as Eva’s street finally comes into view. If I have to hear one more word about crème brûlée or triple-layered ganache, I might throw myself out of the car and leave Flynn to fend for himself.
I pull up outside her driveway and kill the engine. Turning to him, I keep my tone serious. “Remember, no messing around. This isn’t just a date—you need to take this seriously. Restaurant, then straight home. Got it?” Flynn nods slowly, his usual grin dimming as the weight of my words settles in.
I continue, jabbing a finger in his direction. “You pull up, go to the door, knock like a gentleman. Compliment her, treat her like a damn princess, and drive her like she’s cargo made of glass. Clear?”
He nods again, but the glint of nerves in his eyes doesn’t escape me. Undoing my seat belt, I grab my bag from under the seat and open the door. “You’ve got this,” I say, a little softer this time. Flynn exhales sharply, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “I’ll text you when we’re done,” he mutters, forcing a small smile.
Satisfied, I step out and close the door, watching him climb over the console into the driver’s seat. The engine purrs back to life as he pulls into the driveway. I jog past the entrance and slip into the tree line along the house, my heart already thundering in my chest. Adrenaline courses through me as I take up position, crouching behind the same spot I used just days ago. Flynn knocks on the door—at least, I think he does. It could just as easily be the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
Distant voices drift through the wind, muffled but distinct, and goosebumps rise on my arms as the cool breeze bites. My body shudders, but the cold is quickly replaced by nerves as Mandy steps out. Flynn holds the car door open for her, his movements careful and deliberate. Before closing it, he looks toward my hiding spot and gives a subtle nod. I nod back, though he can’t see me, then glance up at Eva’s balcony.
“You can do this. You’re Axel fucking Ashford,” I mutter under my breath, hyping myself up.
Once Flynn’s car disappears down the driveway, I head to the tree that leads to the balcony. My hands find the grooves in the bark like second nature, and I climb quickly, silently, placing each step with precision. This is only my second time doing this, but it feels like I’ve been practising my whole life.
At the top, I take a deep breath, steadying myself for the leap across the gap. My feet hit the railing, and I grip it tightly, flinging myself over with practised ease.
The balcony door is locked.
Good girl. You’re learning.
I pull the small tool from my pocket and have it unlocked in seconds. Sliding it open, I step inside, immediately greeted by the warm, familiar scent of vanilla. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply, letting the fragrance ground me. If this goes south, this could be the last time I enjoy this scent.
Faint footsteps pull me from my thoughts. Shit. I don’t have much time.
Where the hell do I stand?
I glance at the table on the balcony and sit on it, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. No, that feels off. I move behind it instead, leaning against the cold glass. Better view of the door. But no, still wrong. Panic sets in as footsteps grow louder. I dash to the balcony door, catching my knee on the table.
