Page 24 of Stitch's Mercy

“Yup. Looks like it. Are you ready?” I leaned over, cupped the back of her neck, and pulled her toward me. “Just need a taste before we go in.” I smashed my lips to hers.

Peace washed over me. It was like I needed a fix. A little piece of Mercy to sustain me until I got her home and could make love to her.

Knocking on Mercy’s window had us pulling apart and her yelping in fear.

“Get inside!” Hustler hollered. “Come on, lovebirds.” He waved us to follow as he trotted back to the house.

“He has horrible timing. I was about to suggest a quicky.” She stole a quick kiss and opened the door. “Now we’ll just have to wait until later.”

“Waiting isn’t the worst thing. Then we can take our time.”

“Excellent point. Let’s do this.”

9

Mercy

We entered the home, our hands joined and my heart beating faster than normal. Within seconds, Hope was hugging me and bouncing on her toes. Clearly, she had guessed what the big news was. Of course she had. She was my best friend and knew I’d gone away with Brady. When she first found out about us, she’d encouraged me to pursue a relationship with him, but I’d been a stubborn head.

“If I’m making a fool of myself, tell me now before I completely embarrass myself,” she whispered. “You’re engaged, right?”

“Now, what fun would it be if I told you before everyone else?”

She squealed and hugged me tighter. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Let me hug the newest member of our family,” Lady M tapped Hope on the shoulder. “Come on now, honey. Don’t hog Brady’s fiancée.”

“You’re all ruining our announcement.” Brady rubbed my back. “I had a speech prepared and everything.”

He so didn’t.

“Congratulations, Mercy. We’re so happy for you and Brady.” Lady M embraced me and Brady simultaneously. “It was the lefse that made her cave, wasn’t it?”

I giggled, tears pooling in my eyes. The love in this home never ceased to amaze me. I wasn’t so sure my folks would be as thrilled about Brady and me as the Knights were.

“She couldn’t resist my charm, right, sweetheart?” Brady tugged me into his arms. “And maybe theother thingswe do together.” He clicked his tongue.

“Brady,” I whisper-shouted and elbowed him in the ribs. My face heated and likely turn red.

“You two are adorable. Let’s join the rest of the family. Ben is getting the champagne.”

There was a swarm of Knights to greet. People I was familiar with and liked. Plus a few kids. Nova was Cobra and Karma’s oldest child. She was seated on the sofa holding her baby brother, Ace. Then there was Cherish. She was Hope and Levi’s baby girl, and happily playing with her Uncle Silas.

Soon, Piper would pop out hers and Russell’s first baby. They were having a boy and were naming him Axell. The Knight family was growing by leaps and bounds.

From across the room, Brady tracked me like a hawk while I made small talk with the women. It was obvious to see how much he adored me. Probably as obvious as it was to see, I felt the same about him.

“Champagne for the bride-to-be.” Ben handed me a glass and kissed my cheek. “Congratulations, darlin’. We’re so happy for you and Brady.”

“Thank you so much. I figured it was time to let him catch me.”

Ben chuckled as he passed out glasses.

“Hell, yeah. I’d been chasing you for years, baby.” Brady stalked toward me. “I’m grateful you finally showed me mercy.”

“I tried to help you,” Hope told him. “But you know Mercy. Nobody can make her do anything.”

“I respect the hell out of her for just that. She only does what she believes is right and goes after what she wants. Prais God it’s me she wants.” Brady raised his glass. “To my woman, my gorgeous fiancée, Mercy. She was worth the wait… and sometimes agony when she rejected me.”

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