Page 20 of No Mercy

“Jesus, you’re Gabriel—No Mercy—Stone.” Walker punches my arm. “What the fuck do you care about a text message?”

“Hand it over.” Jonah offers his palm. “I’ll keep it safe.” I know he means he’ll keep checking for me. He knows I’m worried about her, being away, unable to see her, confirm she’s safe.

I should have called earlier. I was trying to be good, give her what she says she needs. Space. But fuck if that space isn’t strangling me. It’s just a fight, but anything can happen. No one’s died in the cage yet, but people have been seriously, irreparably fucked up. What if something happens, and I never took the chance to tell her how I really feel because I gave her the bullshit space she asked for?

Relinquishing my phone, I bounce and shadow box in the corner, my air pods blaring. My guys surround me, keeping me focused. But they don’t know she’s gotten in my head, under my skin, and dug in deep. Focus? How can I focus on anything but her?

Damn! What the fuck was I thinking? I knew she was a distraction.Why do you think you’ve been an ass her to all these years? For fun?I punch Walker in the shoulder.

“Bitch! What’s your problem?” He turns, facing me.

I nod to his hands, and he sticks ‘em up, palms out. I punch into them, fast, hard, but not hard enough to hurt his pansy-ass.

Coach pulls out one of my air pods. “Who are you?”

“Gabriel.”

“Gabriel who?”

“Gabriel No Mercy Stone!”

“Who are you?!” Coach, Walker, and Jonah all ask as one voice.

“Gabriel.”

“Gabriel who?!” they ask.

“GabrielNo Fucking MercyStone!” I roar.

“What are you doing here?” Heart racing, but still in control, I glance around the room, planning my escape—looking for a weapon.

“I had to see for myself, Ang.” The pain is evident in Austin’s voice, but his eyes are wild, and his skin is beading with sweat like he’s on something.

“You need to leave. Donovan and Lili will be here any second to watch the fight.”

He steps closer, backing me to the fireplace below the TV. “Now, that’s a lie. I saw Lili leave. Even heard your conversation.”

He’s been here that long? “Austin.” I push his chest, but I’m no match. “You need to leave. The police are looking for you.”

His hand is around my neck before I can dodge it. He forces me against the mantel. “Why would that be? Did you tell them I raped you? Did you lie to get in Gabriel’s bed? Did he pity fuck you?”

“No!” I screech, losing my calm. I would never lie about being raped, but I did feel violated by his words, his assault on my arm, his cheating, and the way he left me injured on the floor like a discarded, broken toy instead of a person he cared about. “I didn’t tell them that. I told them the truth.” I try to push him off. “You hurt me.”

“Not as bad as I wanted to, Frankie.” His hold on my neck tightens. Austin has never laid a hand on me. He may have cheated on me, lied to me and broken my heart. But he never hurt me physically before the night he dislocated my shoulder. Now, he’s crazed. I don’t even know who this is standing before me.

“He hates you, you know,” he spits out.

I know.No, Gabriel is different now.God, I wish he were here. Austin never would’ve made it two feet into his house if he’d been here. Austin must have had a key. Is nowhere safe?

I can’t squelch my rising panic. I can breathe, but my hammering heart might make me pass out anyway.

“I can’t stand the look of you. The smell of you.” He holds me at arm’s length as he steps back, sneering down at me. His eyes lock on my breasts. I whimper under his scrutiny, regretting not wearing a bra.

He leans in, whispering in my ear, “Has he fucked all your holes? Does he fuck your mouth till you gag?” He squeezes.

I claw at his arm, clamoring for air.

He cuts it off.

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