Page 48 of The Echo of Violence

I sit up a little straighter and look at Mercy, who has turned in the passenger seat to look back at me.

“It was just a scratch. Honestly, if you hadn’t insisted on dragging me to the ER, I would have had Kaz patch it up at home.”

She shakes her head, her lips twitching as she fights back whatever she wants to say.

I know she finds the fact that I don’t like needles hilarious, but I can’t help it. I’ve been shot, stabbed, and burned. I’ve broken my ribs, leg, clavicle, and eye socket, yet none bothered me beyond the damn needle. I don’t know if it stems from being a sick kid who was constantly being used as a pin cushion or something else, but it makes me the never-ending butt of all the jokes with my brothers. I have a feeling tonight won’t be any different.

“Look at it this way: if we hadn’t gone, you wouldn’t have gotten a make-out session with Jinx.”

“Good point.” No matter where shit goes from here, I don’t regret the kiss. I might sound like a pussy because I never saw much appeal in kissing before—I was more interested in the main event than the opening act—but now I wonder what else I might have missed out on.

“Think she’ll come?” Mercy bites her lip.

“I think she’s the kind of person that does what she says she’s going to. She’d have blown you off then and there if she didn’t want to come.”

Boomer snorts from the front seat. I would’ve rather had a fucking prospect driving. But as luck would have it, they had been called back to the compound when I cut my arm open on a jagged piece of metal. It was sheer luck that Boomer had been Mercy’s driver for the day, and she insisted on bringing me lunch.

“Of course she’ll come. She looks like the type who likes a good, hard fuck,” Boomer says snidely.

Mercy whips her head around and snarls at him.

“I didn’t ask you what you thought of her, buddy, so keep your opinions to yourself.”

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. Boomer does not like being talked back to, especially by a woman, but he’s wise enough to keep his mouth shut where Mercy is concerned. Aside from the fact that Mercy would maim him, her men would gut him and hang his entrails outside the compound as a reminder for all those who might forget that Mercy was off limits.

We pull up at the compound. Once Boomer parks, he’s out of the car and inside the clubhouse before Mercy or I have even opened our doors.

“I really hate that prick,” Mercy hisses.

“You gotta be careful saying shit like that, Mercy. You don’t have to like him more than he has to like you, but you have to show respect around a club brother. You know that.”

“I do know that, which is why I said it here in the car with you and not inside the clubhouse. And don’t give me shit. I know you don’t like him any more than I do.”

I shrug, not denying it. “There are plenty of brothers who I don’t exactly have a warm relationship with, but that doesn’t mean I don’t trust them, and vice versa. He can be the biggest prick on the planet, but I know he has my back if I need him. And that’s what the brotherhood is all about: loyalty.”

“I know. Though lately, it feels more like it’s about tits and ass. I’m hoping once more of the businesses are up and running, things will quiet down around here.”

“I’m not sure the clubhouse is ever really quiet, Mercy.” I shove my door open and climb out, wincing when I bump my arm on the door.

“Tell me about it,” she grumbles. She climbs out as I make my way around to her. “Can I ask you something?”

I look down at her and nod. “Sure.”

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

I shrug. “Here, with my brothers, running the loan business, maybe opening up something else. I know we aren’t squeaky clean, but it never hurts to have a lot of legitimate businesses too.”

“If nothing else, they’re good for washing money.” She sighs.

I laugh. “What do you know about money laundering?”

“Nothing, Knight. I’m just a sweet and innocent woman,” she growls before stomping away.

I catch up to her and lightly grab her arm, halting her. “I’m not making fun of you, Mercy. I know what a badass you are. You saved all of us from a war we had no chance of winning.”

She looks up at me, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “And now look at me. I hang around here all day watching women getting fucked.” She swipes the tear away angrily.

“Mercy,” I whisper, my stomach knotted at the pain on her face.

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