by Zoe Chant
Dante narrowed his eyes as he watched them go. Roy’s back was turned to him, his broad shoulders blocking Mercy from his view. Roy had almost disappeared out into the corridor when he turned back slightly, glancing at Dante over his shoulder – and far from the warmth that had been in his eyes only moments ago, Dante now saw that they were ice-cold.
Immediately, his dragon reared up, breathing steam. He tensed, balling his fists. But at the last moment, he managed to restrain himself from marching across the room and ‘offering’ to show Roy the door.
“Who is that guy?” he asked Tai, aware his voice was little more than a low growl, but not able to care enough to stop it.
“They were high school sweethearts,” Tai said. “Everyone thought for sure they were going to get married as soon as they graduated. But Roy ended up leaving town instead – he’s one of the few who managed to get out of this place and go on to bigger and better things.”
Thinking about the expensive suit and the even more expensive watch Roy had been wearing, Dante could easily believe the part about bigger and better things.
“You guys haven’t seen him since then?” Dante asked.
Tai shook her head. “Nope. He’s never come back, and we’ve never left. Besides, I’m sure Roy has people from his past crawling all over him for handouts now that he’s hit the big time. I had no reason to think he’d even remember us – until now.” She turned to him, a small smile on her face, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “And it means you’d better get your act together, now that competition is in town.”
Chapter Four
Mercy
Roy smiled as he sat across from her in one of the restaurant’s spacious booths.
“I meant what I said, Mercy. You look just as beautiful as I remember.”
Mercy smiled, shaking her head. Roy’s voice was sincere, but she knew flattery when she heard it, and she’d never had patience for flattery.
“Well, that’s kind of you to say,” she said as diplomatically as she could. “You’re looking well yourself.”
It was true: Roy had always been good looking. He’d been considered the hottest property around during junior high and high school, with girls always chasing after him. It had helped that he’d been gifted both academically and on the sports field, not that either had meant much here in Hainesville. Or at least, that was how it had seemed – Roy had obviously had bigger plans, though he’d kept them to himself. He hadn’t told anyone he was leaving until the week before he’d actually left.
It had stung at the time, but Mercy had been able to be pragmatic about it. They’d been together exclusively for three years by that time – an eternity as far as high school relationships went – but they hadn’t made any promises to each other, despite the gossip that had swirled around them about marriage and kids. She’d cried her tears for what might have been, then put Roy firmly where he’d belonged: in the past.
It wouldn’t have worked out between them, anyway: Roy clearly had big plans for his future, plans that he’d obviously pursued with the same determination he’d shown on the sports field. But Mercy had always known her place was here in Hainesville, doing what she could to make this town a slightly more bearable place to live.
She was mildly surprised now to find that, despite the fact that Roy’s looks had only gotten better with age, she wasn’t in the least bit attracted to him. She could see, objectively, that he was a handsome man. But that was all it was: an impartial observation. There was no passion or attraction there at all.
Unlike Dante.
The thought rose unbidden in Mercy’s mind, and she licked her lips, trying to push it aside.
It was true, though. She could look at Roy and think nothing more than that’s a handsome guy, despite their past together. But when she looked at Dante...
... Well, when she looked at Dante, it was like someone had set a fire in her belly. Like electricity was running through her veins. Looking at him left her feeling light-headed and dizzy with the sheer power of her attraction to him. She’d never felt anything like it before in her life.
Pulling in a deep breath, Mercy forced herself to stop thinking about Dante. She’d only met him last night – but that didn’t seem to mean much as far as the pounding of her heart whenever she looked at him went. Right now, however, she knew she needed to focus.
“So what brings you back to Hainesville after all this time?”
“I have to have a reason to look up an old friend?” Roy asked, smiling.
Mercy shook her head. “No. But it’s been years, Roy – what made you suddenly show up now? Don’t tell me it’s nostalgia – no one could be nostalgic for this place.”
“You’re probably right about that,” Roy answered. “And no, I wouldn’t call it nostalgia. Maybe it’s something else – an urge to give something back?”
Mercy stared at him, surprised. Of course, what Roy had been up to in the years since he’d left was no secret. He was one of only a couple of alumni of their high school that the school ever made any mention of, since he was one of the very few who’d actually gone on to make a success of their lives in any way that anyone cared about – which meant, of course, that’d he’d become rich.
Mercy couldn’t pretend she hadn’t felt a twinge of envy – or the pang of what might have been, had they stayed together. The thought of what she could have done for the kids of Hainesville with the amount of money that Roy was rumored to have accumulated made her chest ache.
She licked her lips. But now, here Roy was, sitting in front of her – was he really saying what she thought he was saying?
“Give something back?”
Roy nodded. “I think you know what I mean. I grew up here, after all. Even if I left, I haven’t forgotten. I have some good memories of this place, after all.” The flash of his smile told Mercy exactly what he was thinking about with that statement. “And I don’t think I should forget where I came from.”
Mercy swallowed. Her heart was pounding. “Well... what kind of thing did you have in mind? Because I can think of at least a hundred things around here that could use some help, if you’re offering.” She paused, shaking her head. “It’s not that money would fix everything, but I’m not going to lie – it’d sure help.”
Roy laughed. “I can always count on you to come straight to the point, Mercy. You never did beat around the bush. It’s why I thought I’d come to you first. I know I can trust you to tell me exactly what I need to hear. No games, no bullshit.”
“So... you want my advice about where you think your charity would be most helpful?” Mercy asked.
“Don’t think of it as charity,” Roy said. “I don’t like that word. I worked for what I have, and I expect everyone else to do the same. But that doesn’t preclude giving them a bit of help to get there. So, yes. That’s why I’m here, Mercy. I need your help.” Roy shot her a rueful look. “When I told my business manager what I was thinking of, he thought I was crazy. And then he said he’d organize for me to talk to some developers who’d gone into disadvantaged areas and built them up, gentrified the places. I told him that’s not what I wanted to do. I want to help the people who’re already living here.”
“I – I think that’s... amazing,” Mercy said, unable to hold back any longer. Admiration for Roy and his plans swelled within her. She might not have been interested in rekindling her romance with him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t sincerely admire him and what he was trying to do.
That is, if he really means it.
Mercy pushed the thought away.
Of course he means it, she told herself. Why else would he have come here out of the blue like this? Sight-seeing?! Yeah, I hear the tire yard is real attractive this time of year.
But her common sense was telling her she still needed to exercise caution. The things she’d recommend that really needed doing weren’t the kind of things that’d seem exciting or necessarily attract a lot of positive media attention.
Which is
the other reason he could be doing this, Mercy admitted to herself. It’d look great for him on the news – billionaire returns to the shit-poor neighborhood, throws some cash around, news crews come from miles around, and then poof! He’s gone as soon as the story’s out.
Mercy looked across the table, studying Roy’s face. She found to her surprise that she couldn’t read it at all – his blue eyes, even as they twinkled with light, were completely blank.
“I – ” she began, just as the doors that separated the kitchen and main dining area swung open, and Dante emerged into the restaurant, his arms loaded down with fresh paper napkins.
Mercy’s mouth went dry, her eyes drawn to him like a magnet. Dante glanced quickly in their direction, his brilliant green eyes flashing.
Everything okay?
It was almost as if she could hear his voice – low, soft, and with a hint of growl – in her head. Mercy blinked, momentarily disconcerted, but then found herself mentally responding, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.
She hadn’t really meant to answer him – since, of course, he hadn’t actually spoken to her at all. Confused, Mercy almost shook her head as if that would help clear it, before she noticed Dante nodding, as if he, in return, had heard her.
What, we’re psychically connected now? Mercy thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at herself. Honestly, Mercy, what the hell is wrong with you? A hot guy appears in your life and you’re losing your marbles. She paused, swallowing. It wouldn’t be the first time you did that, though, would it?
A chill shot through her gut. It took more effort than it should have to push the thought away. It wasn’t helpful to think like that. She hadn’t lost her marbles, and thinking or speaking of it like that would have – rightly – got her in trouble back when she’d been working as a nurse.
Mercy looked down at her hands. Why was it so hard to show herself the same kindness she’d showed her patients? Why couldn’t she ever let herself catch a break?
Breathe, Mercy. Breathe.
She closed her eyes, swallowing, her gut twisting. She could feel a pain in her chest, as if her heart was suddenly too big for it.
“Mercy?”
The sound of Dante’s voice pulled her out of the dark spiral of her thoughts. She looked up to find him standing by their table, his eyes filled with concern.
“Are you all right?”
“I – I’m fine,” Mercy stuttered. Dante looked down at her, the corners of his full lips downturned slightly. It was clear he wasn’t buying it. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Roy broke in.
“We were simply discussing a bit of business, Mr. – ?” He quirked an eyebrow curiously.
“Dante,” Dante responded.
“All right, Mr. Dante,” Roy said, waving a hand dismissively. “The lady says she’s fine. We can get back to our discussion now.”
Dante’s eyes never left Mercy’s face. “Mercy?”
Mercy took a deep breath. It was true, a moment ago she’d recognized only too well the symptoms of an oncoming panic attack. They could come on at random – but thankfully, this one didn’t seem to be too severe. “It’s okay, Dante. I’m okay. I promise you.”
Dante studied her face a moment longer, his green eyes as deep as the ocean.
“All right,” he said after a moment. “But I’m here if you need me.”
Mercy nodded, not sure she was able to explain the gratitude that suddenly swept through her.
“All right,” she said softly. Dante nodded, and then turned away, going back to preparing the tables and booths for any customers who might turn up.
Mercy watched him for a moment, unable to pull her eyes away from the broad line of his shoulders, before looking back at Roy.
She blinked in surprise at the expression on his face – it was an expression she’d never seen him make before. His blue eyes were cold, his lips pressed into a hard, thin line as he looked at Dante.
“Roy?” she said, too surprised to hold back.
Roy’s head flicked back toward her, and the cold look in his eyes immediately evaporated. He half-smiled at her, as if he was amused. “Good help you have here. Very... dedicated.”
Mercy frowned. She wasn’t about to explain the full circumstances of Dante’s arrival at the restaurant – it was too long a story to begin with, and she realized that to anyone but herself it’d sound like she was taking an unbelievable risk letting a man she barely knew and who she’d met while patching him up after a knife fight stay with her. There was no way of explaining it in a way that anyone would understand – the strange, instant connection she had felt with Dante, or the way she had known just from looking into his eyes that she could trust him.
So instead, she simply said, “Yeah. I do.”
“Well, I’m glad,” Roy said, his voice a little cold. “But to get back to what we were discussing, as I said, I’d like your advice. You’ve lived in Hainesville all your life. You know the people, and if you’re the same as I remember you, you’ll still be working hard to help people here. So – tell me where I should be spending my money, Mercy.”
Mercy paused, considering. She didn’t know if she liked the idea of being the sole arbitrator of where Roy’s generosity should be directed. And, if her years of working in the hospital and with charities had taught her anything, it was that anything to do with money needed to be done transparently.
“I... could get you a list,” she said eventually. “I can speak with a few people – ask them to write up a few proposals. See what they’d do with the money, if they were to receive it. I’d like you to have some assurance that your money will be well-spent.”
“Certainly,” Roy said, nodding. “I think that’d be a great idea. I should warn you though, I’m a busy man. How soon could you have these proposals to me?”
Mercy hesitated. “I’m not sure. Most of the people I have in mind are run off their feet themselves. But I can speak with them, and do my best to get you something quickly.”
“That would be excellent.” Roy nodded, before beginning to stand. “Well, as much as I’d love to stay here with you, as I mentioned, I’m a busy man. But maybe we could catch up properly another time – perhaps over dinner.”
Mercy started, staring at Roy. Is he... is he asking me out on a date?
It didn’t seem very likely, but then again...
Mercy recalled the way his eyes had flitted over her body when he’d come in. She knew better than to take his words that she was as beautiful as ever at face value, but still...
“We’ll see,” she said, not wanting him to think she was interested in him, but still wanting to be diplomatic. “I’d be happy to get a meal with you in order to discuss things.”
“Sure, let’s say that for now,” Roy said, smiling, a knowing look in his eye. “Now, sorry, but I have to fly. Call me when you’ve got the list.”
He turned, waving over his shoulder as he headed toward the door, which Tai was just in the process of unlocking, flipping the sign that hung on it from Closed to Open.
Roy nodded to her as he headed out, but, to Mercy’s mild surprise, he didn’t stop to say hello or tell her she looked well. It was a little odd, since she and Tai had been best friends in high school, and Roy had spent a lot of time hanging around with them both.
Well, he can’t remember everyone, Mercy reasoned, though for some reason she couldn’t quite put her finger on, she still felt uneasy. And then there had been his words, just before he left: Sure, let’s say that for now. Did he think she’d be more willing to agree to a date later?
Mercy shook her head. Roy had always been a little cocky, and she supposed having a billion dollars wouldn’t exactly change that. She’d just have to hold her ground and make it clear: whatever had happened in their past, that was over. This was business, now.
Speaking of...
Mercy chewed on her lip. Roy had said he wanted that list as quickly as possible.
“Tai,” she called out.
“Flip the sign again. We’ll be closed today.”
Tai looked up in surprise. “You sure?”
“Yes,” Mercy nodded. “I’m really sorry to have dragged you all the way out here only to do this, but something’s come up. I’ll still pay you for this shift.”
“It’s no problem,” Tai said. “You know I’ll take any opportunity to ride. But what’s up?”
Mercy opened her mouth to explain, but then shut it again. She knew she could trust Tai to the ends of the earth, but the fewer people who knew about Roy’s offer, the better. She couldn’t bear to get people’s hopes up, just in case nothing came of it.
“I... just have something I need to get done,” she said. “Donate whatever’s in the kitchen that won’t keep for a day to the food bank.”
“That won’t be too much,” Tai said. “I hadn’t prepared much, since things have been so slow.”
Mercy nodded. Truly, that was the main reason she wasn’t too concerned about closing for the day. Word got around – Garrick had made sure of that. The thugs on her doorstep last night hadn’t been the first problem he’d caused her. He’d made sure that people knew stopping at her place wasn’t something he’d smile about. The dinnertime rush had slowed to a trickle, especially since three nights out of six he’d station his goons right by her doorway, eyeballing anyone who looked like they might come in.
Sure, she had a few loyal customers who’d kept on coming no matter what. But aside from that, things had been... well, slow. It was likely the day’s takings would have been dismal anyway.
“What are you planning, Mercy?”
Mercy jumped at the sound of Dante’s voice, so close by her side. She swallowed before she looked up at him, her throat feeling tight.
God, she had never wanted anyone as much as she’d wanted him.
“I just need to go see a few people,” she said. “So you’re off waiting duty – for now.” She smiled.
“I’m coming with you,” Dante said immediately.
Mercy frowned. “What?”