Page 101 of Built for Mercy

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Maverick slid out from under the sheets, his naked body looking so damn good as he pulled on my favorite pair of black sweats and a black shirt.

I didn’t particularly love the idea of sharing him with someone else right now, and when I opened my mouth to say just that, he held a hand up. “You stay put. I’ll be right back.”

Oookay, guess I wasn’t sharing him tonight then.

He reappeared a couple minutes later holding two garment bags, walking past the bed to hang them in his massive walk-in closet. Then, he returned, taking a moment to pet Wednesday before climbing under the sheets.

“So… what was that all about?”

Maverick grimaced. “My family hosts some big function every year. Everyone dresses up. It’s catered. There’s dancing.” He hesitated before continuing, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “I hate it. Always have. But it’s expected of me to show up, play nice with the other organized crime leaders, and pretend like we’re all one big happy family.” His fingers grazed my bare arm, almost absently. “This year, I thought maybe you could come with me. Be my date for the night. Meet my godawful parents and scare the shit out of them. Network with potential allies.”

A mix of emotions swirled inside me—excitement at the thought of attending this event by his side, pleasure at seeing his parents’ reactions to me being with their son, and curiosity at the potential allies I could make with powerful criminals. But most of all, there was a strange sense of comfort in Maverick’s proposal.

“I’d love to,” I replied softly. “Tell me what I need to know.”

47

Sophie

Isauntered into the kitchen, my bare feet silent on the cold floor. Last night’s memory of Chavez’s pleas and whimpers from the live camera feed from the Midnights basement echoed in my mind, giving me a macabre sense of peace. A shiver of dark delight skittered down my spine as I poured a cup of coffee.

I watched Maverick on the terrace, a god only in joggers, thumb swiping over the screen of his phone. The sight of him like that—his body bathed in a golden glow that cast shadows over the contours of his muscles—it was enough to make me sigh.

I slid the glass door open, my coffee forgotten. The crisp air nipped at my skin, but the fire he ignited within me promised all the warmth I’d ever need. He looked up—and holyfuck,the look he gave me suggested he knew exactly the effect he had on me, and damn him, he basked in it.

His rugged sex appeal was a physical force, pulling at my core with every movement he made. The stubble on his jaw gave him that dangerous edge. Memories of how those strong hands had explored every inch of my skin, sending waves of pleasure crashing over me, flooded my brain.

“Enjoying the view?” Maverick’s voice broke into my thoughts. That grin, oh that mischievous grin, widened across his face and made my heart stutter.

The black slip I’d packed for our Vegas trip clung to my body, chilling my skin further. It was sheer silk—a tease—and I knew it drove him wild. He watched me, that predatory look in his eyes making me weak in the knees. But I kept my distance, wandering across the terrace and leaning against the railing—the very one he’d once bent me over—with casual defiance.

“Leaving me alone in bed? That’s a sin I don’t easily forgive,” I chided playfully, cocking an eyebrow at him.

His laugh, low and husky, danced along my nerves. He pocketed his phone and rose to his full, imposing height. “Baby, if I’d stayed, we wouldn’t have made it out of that bed for hours,” he said, taking a deliberate step toward me.

“Promises, promises,” I threw back, arousal zipping through me as he closed the distance between us, each step measured and sure. I let my head fall back just enough for my bedridden hair to fall over the ledge and whip around me.

“Careful,” I warned, though my voice betrayed the excitement building within me. “One more step and I might not let you go back to work.”

“Is that a threat or a promise, Soph?” His voice was a velvet growl.

“Guess you’ll have to find out,” I replied, my tone light even as my pulse raced. This man, this infuriatingly sexy man, knew exactly what he did to me. And fuck if I didn’t love him for it.

He stepped closer anyway, until he was right in front of me. He planted his hands on the railing behind me, the sunrise doing absolute wonders for his eyes. Ugh. It wasn’t fair to look the way he did. “I’ve got movers heading to your apartment to collect your things.”

My brows shot up. The old Sophie would have balked at his high-handedness, but now? Now, I reveled in the control he wielded, the way he ensured our lives became irrevocably entwined. The way I couldn’t resist and craved him taking control.

“There better be a method to your madness, babe,” I said, the words dipped in acid and honey. “You’re commandeering my apartment now? What’s next, Mav? Are you going to pick out my underwear for the day, too?”

He leaned closer, that wolfish grin never leaving his face, but his eyes were dark, intense—a storm brewing beneath the calm surface. “Hmm, not a bad idea. But I prefer when you’re not wearing any.” His gaze dropped pointedly, searing hot trails over my skin.

I hummed, and as much as I wanted him to take me back to bed… “Okay, Mr. Mastermind. What about Chavez?”

“Ah, I’ve been thinking of letting him stew a little longer. Maybe have Paulie terrorize him a bit.”

I rolled my lips as I considered this. “Or…” my voice trailed off as I looked over my shoulder at the city, the morning sun ascending over the high-rises, making their windows glitter.

“Do you have something else in mind?” Maverick pressed a kiss to my jaw.