Page 9 of Merciless

It stops me dead.

That sound.

I’d know that scream anywhere.

I must be losing it, all this heavy torment taking a major toll on me. Because it can’t be.

There ain’t no way.

I push off them and roughly turn them around to face me.

It’s getting more likely every second, my pulse picking up at the thought of what I figured a second ago actually being true, because the intruder’s a woman. She’s decked out head-to-toe in black tactical gear, a balaclava covering her face. All that Kevlar padding can’t hide a sweet pair of perky breasts, though.

“Cal?”

I still, the voice shocking me.

That sexy huskiness.

I grab at the balaclava and tug it off with a rough pull.

Red hair fills my vision. Long, silky waves.

“Jesus Christ,” I breathe, staring into them deep-green eyes. “Charlotte.”

Tossing the balaclava on the floor, I step back, lowering my gun. I ain’t so stupid that I holster it, though. I still don’t know the story here. I gotta be careful.

Even with her.

Next thing I know, her fist’s coming at me, punching me in the chest. “What the hell are you doing here?”

I choke, slapping my hand to my heart. “You just punched me in the goddamn heart, woman!”

She rolls her eyes. “Please. I’d be greatly surprised if you even felt it.”

“Hey. We both know you’re the one without a heart. Not me.”

She flinches, but it’s gone real quick, that familiar mask back in place. “I meant, because you’re all hard muscle.” She looks me up and down, taking me in standing in nothing but a pair of black boxers. I watch her tongue dart out, flicking over her top lip, and it has my dick reacting. She smirks. “Still happy to see me, even after all this time, and despite the circumstances, too.”

“Get a grip. You know I’m always up for anything.”

She smirks. “Pun intended?”

“Yeah.”

Of course it’s all lies, but I ain’t gonna let her in on my issues in that area. Ain’t her business and I don’t want it being neither. I can’t let her know she’s still got a hold on me. I mean, I got a load of adrenaline pumping through my system with the whole intruder thing, got the shock of her being here after so long, and my dick’s going stir-crazy. Only her. Nobody else could bring that out in me, have me losing my focus like this. Goddamn woman!

This whole situation is beyond messed and I’m fast losing my patience.

I shift my weight and demand, “What are you doing here, Charlotte?”

Her eyes dart to my gun. “Lose the piece and then we’ll talk.”

“You first.”

“Excuse me?” she asks, playing innocent.

I step forward and grab her wrist, tugging her hand from behind her back. Sure enough, she’s holding a Taser. “Nice try.” She releases it to me and I frown down at it. “Little tame for you, ain’t it?”

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