Page 150 of Merciless

“I’m broken, Julian. Beyond repair,” she confesses. “What you saw earlier. It barely scratches the surface of just how fucked up I am.”

“Dove,” I say, a little harsher than I was anticipating. Her eyes widen, and she rears back a little. “We’re all fucked up in one way or another. It’s what makes us all so interesting.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I know my words hit their mark.

“That man in the cell,” I start, not using his name. I don’t know why but something tells me that she won’t want to hear it. “You knew him.” It’s not a question. It doesn’t need to be. I saw the recognition on her face when Reid gave her little choice but to turn her attention on him.

“He knew my dad.”

“Right.”

“Is he dead?” she asks firmly. There might be a whole host of emotions swimming in her eyes. But guilt or regret over what she did isn’t any of them.

“I’d say so, yes. I haven’t been back since Reid carried you out.”

“Shit,” she hisses, dipping her head again. “Why did he do that?”

“Because he cares.”

A bitter laugh falls from her lips.

“He does.”

“So why did he drop me and run at the first chance he got?” she spits.

My lips part, but I don’t have any words to reassure her.I know my best friend better than I know myself some days. He’s freaking out because he cares. But I’m not about to tell her that.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s for the best.”

“Whatever it is, Dove. You need to tell him. He won’t let you out of here until you do. You know that, right?”

She looks up through her lashes, her legs tightening around my waist, ensuring her burning hot pussy grinds against my hard dick.

“I’m sure you could put in a few good words for me.”

I laugh, wishing it’s as easy as that.

“No, I didn’t think so,” she says sadly despite my lack of reply. “I guess we should make the best of what we have then before he gets bored and offs me.”

“He won’t—”

I don’t get any more words out because her lips descend on mine, stealing them along with all my rational thinking.

“I promise not to cry this time,” she mumbles into our kiss.

“You take my cock again like a good little whore, and you can do whatever you want, Dove.”

I rest back on my palms as she reaches between us, wrapping her delicate fingers around my length.

“Fuck. Don’t think a girl’s hand has felt that good since eighth grade.”

“Eighth grade?” she echoes.

“Hell yeah, what do you think they taught us at Harrow Creek?” I ask with a laugh.

“I don’t know. I never went.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, I— Fuck. That’s good.”

---