Page 56 of Broken Mercy
Can I really hand the ledger over? Can I give Arsen that sword to hold to the throat of Tallie’s brother?
What would she do if she found out?
I don’t know why I fucking care. None of this matters, not in the long run. When my plan works out, I’ll be gone, and what happens to Tallie and her family won’t matter anymore. She can go live in fucking Mexico, start a new life, be someone entirely different for all I care.
The bourbon’s smoky as it slides down my throat. Riley’s standing with a group near the far side of the garden, laughing about something with Alexan. When she meets my gaze, I quickly slide away, losing myself in the crowd.
How long can I do this? Keep lying to her and lying to everyone? How long can I hide this from Tallie before it kills me?
“You look stressed.” My wife touches my arm, shuffling closer. “Not exactly how you’re supposed to act at a very nice party like this.”
“Can you do something for me?” We’re partially alone, obscured by a manicured bush made to look like a perfect circle.
“Maybe. Depends. I like this dress, so I won’t ruin it.”
“Actually, the dress is perfect for my needs.” I don’t bother hiding the way I look at her chest. “I need a distraction.”
She tenses right away. “For what?”
“Doesn’t matter. Make some noise. Get eyes on you.”
“You’re going to the house again?”
“There are a few things I need to check on.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Tallie—“
She digs her fingers into my arm. “I’m not going to be your pretty face with some nice tits attached, okay?”
“Fantastic tits, actually. And you’re the one who already used them twice now.”
“Twice?!”
“Once on the bartender?—“
“Okay, enough.” She crosses her arms over her chest, blocking my view, unfortunately. “Either I’m coming with you, or I’m going to obnoxiously make sure there’s no way in hell you’re sneaking anywhere.”
I rub my temple as my head starts throbbing. When did this fucking happen? How’d I end up here, married to this stubborn woman, suddenly with a partner in my god damn insanity of a crime?
“We still need a distraction,” I say bitterly, accepting my fate.
Tallie considers, tapping a finger to her lips before grinning. “Stay right here. I’ll be back.”
I watch my wife stride off and consider ditching her. It wouldn’t be hard. I could slip into the tangle of bushes and vines, make my way to a side entrance, and lean on luck to get to my destination.
Instead, I keep waiting until I hear music start up. It’s a piano ballad, the first notes echoing over the crowd, followed by a voice.
A familiar voice.
“Let’s go,” Tallie says, taking my arm.
I hesitate, frowning into the crowd. “Is that Annie?”
“I told her she could sing. She didn’t even hesitate.”
“Are you kidding? She’s putting on a show?”
