Page 5 of Merciless

Why doesn’t she fight back when my brother sends people after her?

Why is she attending this school when she’s clearly miserable?

Why did she snoop on me when I played the piano?

Why the hell is she eye-fucking Rome Graves? And why does it fill me with seething jealousy? I saw red and pictured myself strangling the motherfucker until he took his last breath. Same goes for the redheaded shit at the arcade she was sneaking around with.

I’m not a monster, but I’ll be one for her.

Her mother married my father for money, but it doesn’t give me a good enough reason to punish her. I find her more fascinating than irritating. Elijah, on the other hand, can’t stand her and wants her to suffer. Part of it has to do with the inheritance our father holds above our heads.

What hides in the dark always comes to light. She’s done a great job of hiding the skeletons from me, but not anymore. As soon as she gives me something with enough meat on the bone, I’ll finally hate her as much as Elijah does.

I roll the sucker in my mouth and peek through the window in the door to see if Eden has left her room yet. She works at the bar today, which means she’ll need to take a shower before getting ready for work.

Women crowd the hall, coming and going from their rooms. A door near Eden’s dorm opens enough for me to see inside. One of Elijah’s friends is balls deep in a woman on her elbows and knees in the middle of the bed. Her roommate doesn’t give a single fuck about privacy, and the door closes behind her as she enters the room.

I knew I wouldn’t be the only man in this part of the wing. Every time I come over here, I’m suddenly the most popular person in the vicinity, and it’s not because of my status or last name.

No, no, no.

It’s because they see my twin, since he’s made a reputation by sleeping with anyone who’ll open their legs for him.

They’re all the same, pretending to be sweet and innocent, but behind closed doors, they’re just like the woman behind that closed door. They want to be used. Degraded. And they want to be treated like a slut. My brother delivers that fantasy on a silver fucking platter.

Unfortunately for me, they can’t tell the difference between us. The thought of having to fuck a woman who will undoubtedly think I’m my brother feels like broken glass ripping open my tattooed skin. Half of them here have already slept with Elijah.

Eden’s door opens, and she shuffles across the hallway to the community bathroom that no one else uses. A towel hangs over her arm, and a black bathrobe hugs her curvy body.

I wait for the bathroom door to shut before I count in my head and join her.

Hot steam fills the room and mists the mirrors above the sinks lining one wall. I keep my footsteps light as I inch toward the shower stall where Eden stands under the spray.

She didn’t bother closing the curtain. Why should she? It’s not like anyone comes in here.

Once again, she doesn’t notice me right behind her. So close that I could touch her. She stands under the spray, her back facing me. The water runs down her shoulders and back, leaving behind a trail of bubbles. I tilt my head as I take in every curve, dimple, and freckle on her skin.

It’s been so long since I’ve been well-acquainted with her body. Time couldn’t dull the memory, but fuck me, it’s addictive to see her fully nude.

My fingers clench into fists by my sides.

I don’t get it. Why am I so drawn to her? Why do I want to know more about her? She’s nothing to me. She’s been a pain in my ass and a mission my brother sent me out on.

I’m right here, where I can touch her, yet she’s not turning around to yell at me to leave.

Rage boils my blood.

I raise my hand and brush my knuckles against the overheated skin over her waist. My gaze flips to the back of her head, waiting for the moment she spins around and slaps me for encroaching on her privacy.

Eden washes her hair, head bent backward and eyes shut. She hums a tune I don’t recognize, not that it fucking matters.

My fingers curl into themselves, and I draw away from her.

I take one step back, then another.

Red bleeds into my vision until it’s all I can see. I spin on my heel, storm to the door, and leave the bathroom. I don’t give a single shit when the door slams shut behind me.

I hope she hears it. I hope it startles her and she wonders who was in the bathroom with her. Maybe then she’ll pay attention and see that I’m always there. Always watching.