Page 69 of Built for Mercy

I glanced down, watching as her fingertips traced the shattered glass-like cyber sigilism, the dark center on my bicep where the web of lines fragmented outward.

“The center of it,” I said, voice quieter now, shifting so she could see the part I was referring to, “that’s where the glass shatters. That’s where the whole thing starts. It’s also the first place I ever got shot.”

Sophie stilled.

Her fingers ghosted over the center of my tattoo, where the scar was hidden beneath ink, where the past had been turned into something permanent, something transformed.

“You covered it,” she whispered, like this moment was fragile.

I hummed. “Didn’t want it to feel like something that was done to me. I wanted to own it. To make it mine.”

Sophie exhaled, her palm now flat over my forearm, as if she could feel the memory still embedded there.

“That’s why I love this one the most,” she admitted. “Because it’s you.”

I swallowed hard, pressing my lips to her temple, breathing her in.

“It’s always been me. And now, it’s you, too.”

She waseverythingto me.

The only one who brought me to life in a world of lonely emptiness and never-ending greed.

Despite all her own scars, she was the light at the end of the tunnel.

I was so fucking thankful I’d stalked her.

32

Sophie

The next three weeks flew by. I worked during the week, texted and called Maverick day in and day out, and tried to spend my weekends at his penthouse. Each weekend I spent with him, we explored sex in ways I never thought possible.

We used toys.Lotsof toys that made me blush just thinking about them. My handcuffs had been used several times, on the both of us, as well as dildos, vibrators, cock rings—the list could go on practically forever.

And yet, despite how hard I continued to fall for him, there was something niggling in the back of my mind. One barrier we had yet to breach.

The final layer of trust between us that seemed insurmountable.

Sunday

Maverick 8:14 AM

I miss you already. Come back.

Sophie 8:59 AM

I wish, but I have a new case. Miss you too, btw.

Maverick 9:20 AM

Do you ever NOT have a case?

Sophie 9:21 AM

Nope. Perks of the job. Haven’t you heard? Dead bodies = I get paid

Maverick 9:32 AM