Page 55 of Broken Mercy
“Don’t be difficult.” I move slowly, grinding my hips. I’m still sensitive from coming but it feels really good.
“I’m getting hard again.”
“That’s the point. Tell me you’ll teach me.”
“This isn’t fair.”
“Misdirection, remember?”
“Fuck, Tallie.”
“That’s the idea.”
“Fine. I’ll teach you.” He grabs my hips tightly and leans forward, kissing me hard. “But you better not stop until I tell you to.”
I laugh, but that turns into a moan as he thrusts into me, and I don’t say it out loud but I’m pretty sure I can’t stop even if I wanted to.
CHAPTER 16
BRENDEN
There are certain advantages to being married to Tallie.
For example, ample opportunities to attend events at the main Sarkissian mansion.
Before her, I stepped foot on these grounds maybe twice in my life. Now it’s like we’re getting invitations every week.
This particular party is a fundraiser for a local assemblyman deeply in Arsen’s pocket. The crowd is a mix of old money locals and earnest political advocates. I dislike them all equally. Tallie hangs on my arm looking so fucking radiant in a light blue dress and it kills me, seeing my wife smiling and laughing, when all I want to do is rip her clothes off and fill her to the brim.
Which I shouldn’t do, because of that damn notebook.
“Enjoying yourself?” Annie Sarkissian leans against a table. Her back’s straight, her blond hair back in a sleek tail, her pant suit flattering while also being appropriate.
“Not bad.” I tilt my drink toward her. “You should be the one running for office.”
Annie’s smile is tight. The sound of her crying echoes in my memory.
“Don’t say that.” Tallie hits my arm. “You’ll give her ideas. You have no idea what kind of hell you’d bring down on Baltimore.”
“No worries, lovely sister. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than governor.”
That makes Tallie laugh. I like the way it sounds.
“We’ll be back,” Annie says, leading my wife away toward a group of younger political staffers. “Stay out of trouble while we’re gone.”
I watch them go before my attention drifts. Lucky for me, Sam and Davit aren’t in attendance, though I hear their father Haik’s laughter from across the garden. I grab a passing glass of bourbon and find a corner to brood in.
I’ve never been so conflicted in my life. The job is done, the notebook is stolen and in my possession, but there’s a very short list of what’ll happen once I hand it over, and none of those outcomes are good.
First possibility: Arsen destroys Sam. Maybe Arsen kills the kid, or maybe Arsen uses the unlicensed game to ruin the kid’s prospects. Either way, not good.
Second possibility: Arsen uses the notebook to blackmail Haik. This one feels more likely based on the way Arsen’s worked in the past. Why kill the kid when he can twist the whole family to his purposes? It’s no secret that Haik isn’t always Arsen’s biggest fan. But if Arsen has the material to ruin the whole family?
It’s no small thing, running a poker game without permission.
But the scale is the worst part.
Millions of dollars. Thousands still outstanding in debt. Sam has that hanging over the heads of important kids in powerful families, which means he has some small measure of power. Arsen can’t possibly let that slide, not without getting a piece for himself.
