Page 40 of No Mercy
I don’t respond as I turn and quickly make my way down the hallway, my pulse racing. As I approach, soft music floats through the now open door. I exhale, relieved—at least he’s not blocking the door any more. I near the open door, slowing my steps as I lean around the corner, cautiously peeking inside.
My gaze lands on Ant, sitting on the floor beside the bed with his back flat against the wall, his eyes on Mandy, who’s sprawled out on his bed, fast asleep. I blink, trying to process the scene. Of all the things I expected to find, this wasn’t one of them. Ant, the last person I’d picture being comfortable with anyone in his space is just… sitting there, calm and watchful. It’s almost peaceful.
I shift my weight, and the floor creaks beneath me.
Ant’s head turns, and he catches me lurking in the doorway. He rolls his eyes at my sudden appearance, which practically screams,Would you stop hovering? She’s fine. I’m fine.
I straighten, trying to look un-bothered as I clear my throat. “Just checking,” I mutter, glancing again at Mandy’s sleeping form. Seeing her so at ease in the calm that Ant rarely shares with anyone feels almost surreal. Part of me wants to march in and drag her out of his room, but another part of me just stands there, taking it all in.
Ant glares at me, his eyes all but ordering me to leave. I take the hint and step back, leaving him to whatever he wants to call… that.
A few hours have passed since Flynn and Carter took Mandy from her home, and now it’s my turn to go comfort the girl of my dreams. Wasting no time, I grab my mask off the living room table and head for the door.
“Where are you going?” Carter asks, his attention mostly on the burger he’s lifting to his mouth. I don’t bother telling himeverything, so I just throw a quick, “Out. Don’t wait up, kids!” over my shoulder as I shut the door behind me before racing down towards my bike. I can’t help but feel the guilt for taking Mandy away from Eva suddenly.
When Carter and Gunnar arrived at the apartment, I sent Gunnar to his room and filled Carter in on what has happened. The second I told him about the photo I had to restrain him from running out the door to find out who was behind it, he may be younger than me butfuck, I definitely felt the weight behind the punches that connected against my arms. He wasn’t impressed when I told him of our plan to kidnap Mandy but we had no choice. They know who she is, they know she is an important piece of our life. It would only be a matter of time that they connected her relation to Eva and I’ll be damned if I let any harm come her way.
She’s mine, and I’ll be damned if anyone plays with what belongs to me.
I shouldn’t have left her alone after we got that photo. But I couldn’t spare anyone while we waited for Carter and Gunnar to arrive. I had to be their leader, had to prove they could trust me. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fucking terrified something might happen to her. Especially now. Alone in that house. God, I pray she’s still alone in that house.
The garage feels colder than usual, or maybe it’s just me. Maybe after all the years of bad, karma is catching up to me. My bike sits waiting, steady and dependable, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing inside me. Swinging my leg over the seat, I exhale sharply, trying to steady my nerves.
I twist the key, and the engine roars awake, filling the silence with its deep, rumbling growl. The vibrations ripple through my body, colliding with the unease tightening my chest. My grip on the handlebars is tight as I think of Eva, but I can’t let go.
Fear. Anticipation. Anger. It’s all tangled together, clawing at me from the inside. I want to scream, but instead, I rev the engine, Letting the sound drown out all the thoughts in my head before I pull away.
“I’m coming Buttercup, I’m coming to get you.” I say out loud as if she can hear me.
CHAPTER 22
AXEL
Finally after whatfelt like hours of racing through the streets, I find myself pulling into Eva’s driveway in record time, which if I’m being honest, I’m rather proud of myself. ?? Stopping at the entrance I check my surroundings, making sure no one is around before I pull my mask out of my bag.
I don’t waste any time putting it on before jumping off to stash the bag between the trees.
I can’t be a superhero with a fucking backpack on. Has anyone ever seen Batman with a backpack? Yeah, didn’t think so.
I’m halfway back to my bike when the sharp crash of breaking glass snaps me to attention. My head whips toward the house. “Eva,” I whisper, her name catching in my throat. My body twitches as adrenaline surges through my veins. I ditch the bike without a second thought and sprint toward the front of the house, running in time to the thumping sound of my pulse in my ears.
I round the corner to see the door wide open, slowly swinging against the breeze as it brushes inside.
Fear claws at my chest, threatening to pull me towards the floor at all the possibilities. My mind instantly going to the worst.
I left her alone.
After that photo, I should’ve been here. I should’ve done something.
Please, don’t be too late.
Slowing down my pace, I creep towards the door, making sure to listen out for any sounds around me. Gently, I place my hand against the door, opening it wider as I glance at the mess inside. A smashed vase is scattered across the marble flooring at the bottom of the staircase. The heads of the flowers ripped from their stem as they drown in the water they once drank.
Soft whimpers drift from the room to my left, faint but unmistakable. My chest tightens as I inch closer, every step deliberate and quiet. Peering around the corner of the door frame, I spot someone curled up on the sofa, their body trembling in time to the sounds.
A floorboard creaks beneath my foot as I step forward. Eva’s head snaps up, and I freeze, not wanting to startle her with any sudden movements. For a moment, her tear-streaked face looks fragile as redness surrounds her face, but then her eyes narrow, and the vulnerability vanishes. Hatred floods her expression, wiping away the tears as she pushes herself up to stand before me.
She moves around the sofa slowly, her gaze locked on me like a predator sizing up its prey. “You…” she murmurs, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and disbelief. Her breathing quickens with each step, the air between us growing heavier as she closes the distance.
