Beg for Mercy - kindle edition v3

by Shannon Dermott

  “I prefer to stay with you,” he said. God, points for him, he could be so terribly sweet. With his arms around my shoulder, we watched the game which really wasn’t a game at all until more guys showed up. The girls were suddenly obsolete when it became serious competition. Things were about to get beat your chest manly. I could see it in their eyes.

  Luke was watching as the guys huddled, most likely talking strategy while I watched him. He had the gleam too. “You should go,” I said. “I’ll be fine with you prepossessing my mind.”

  He smiled first then looked hesitantly. “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I said shooing him away using my hands in a sweeping motion. Never stand between man and sport, I thought.

  It hadn’t taken much convincing. I watched his long strides down to where the guys were convening. His back side was just as intoxicating as his front.

  The sun was high in the sky. I had to raise my hand above my eyes to shield them from the sun’s glare. Luke looked back my way to make sure I was ok. I nodded and he turned back to his new teammates getting his instructions for his role in the game. I watched for a while as the game ensued.

  Flynn and Luke were on the same team which hardly seemed fair for the rest, in my opinion. They most likely had a rhythm the others didn’t. I was shocked when it became apparent that they had switch roles. For today, Luke was quarterback and Flynn was the receiver. This made the game more interesting for me to watch. I found that I happened to like football better than most sports. I didn’t understand all the rules, but it clearly was better than basketball.

  Even though Flynn and Luke were in new positions they maintained control of the game. Thankfully, they had the sand because it wasn’t flag football they were playing. They were playing full tackle. When the door to the house opened, I heard a somewhat familiar voice amongst the many female voices. I stood, not really wanting to meet up with the evil twin. Thus far I have been able to avoid her. Suddenly, most of the girls came tramping through the door talking about what cheers they would perform for the boys playing football. The wicked twin past with them without a backward glance to me.

  After they cleared the deck, stepping onto the stone path that led to the beach, I headed in the house. I really wasn’t in the mood to watch the girl make a play for my boyfriend with silly cheers and gyrating motions I was positive would be a part of most of their cheers. I rolled my eyes to myself picturing just how she’d say those cheers.

  I was about to pass the kitchen when I stopped not sure who I was looking at. When the girl grinned and waved at me, I faltered. It took me a moment to realize it was the good twin I saw.

  “Hi,” she said. Her face was perky and friendly.

  “Hey,” I said back.

  “Mercy, this is Brad. He worked on Brent in the emergency room. He was getting off work, so we invited him over.”

  I nodded at Brad who gave me a grin and an quickly raised his eyebrows. I’d hoped she hadn’t notice the look in his eye that spoke volumes about his intentions and the fact he already knew me. But when she quickly made excuses and left, I was assured she’d gotten his message. Damn.

  I could only hope she wouldn’t run to Flynn or Luke and blab about this. Furthermore, I did want her to tell her sister. Somehow I doubted she wouldn’t keep her mouth shut, so I would need to get Brad to leave. I should just tell him that this was my boyfriend’s house or that he was here, outside but my words were stifled when he spoke.

  “I was hoping to find you here,” he began. “When I ran into the twins at the hospital they told me everyone was getting together here.”

  Shoot, he had this quirky little smile that had an effect on me beyond words. Was it the natural instincts of the predator inside me that kept finding me in situations like this?

  “Well, you found me,” I said leaving the conversation open for him to make his intentions known. I thought maybe if he did, I could then slip in that I had a boyfriend without sounding like a jerk.

  “I did,” he said with a grin. “I was hoping meet up with you and entice you to a late lunch since I didn’t eat earlier.”

  When I didn’t immediately answer he added, “I’m meeting up with some friends later, so really I just stopped by for a little bit if you’re up to it.”

  I spread my hands over the boxes of pizza that smelled heavenly to my hungry stomach. Before I could speak he said, “Yeah, I guess lunch is covered.”

  I made no attempts at letting him know that I had yet to eat so I said, “Yeah.”

  “Well, foiled again. My attempts at chivalry aren’t working.”

  He was so quirky and cute I said, “The guys are all playing football out back.”

  He shook his head. “I am too clumsy for that. I was always better suited for team manager.” I took a quick look at his bare arms and saw his biceps were firm and had a bit of bulk. I stopped myself from telling him he must be working out on a regular with arms like that.

  Instead we laughed then he said, “I guess maybe another time.”

  I nodded, knowing I wouldn’t see him again. The likelihood our paths would cross was slim to none. He smiled at me again then headed out the kitchen to the front door. With a small wave and a simple “Bye,” I headed the opposite direction to the back. I felt a tiny bit of guilt about not telling him I had a boyfriend but really nothing happened between us. And in a small way, I hoped I’d helped his confidence by not shutting him down. I was sure one day he’d make some girl very happy.

  So I walked outside with a satisfactory smile on my face until I caught a vision in my peripheral. I turned slightly right to see my boyfriend pressed against the wall with the nasty hyena twin’s lips firmly on his.

  My jaw dropped open. I blink a few times trying to make sure it was true. I couldn’t fathom what I was seeing. But there it was. My vision began to blur through my sudden tears. I turned back thought the door I still held open and ran. The door gave a satisfying thump as it slammed shut behind me. I found myself running straight through and out the front door. I saw Brad about to put his car in gear. I called out with my arm raised like I was hailing a taxi, “Brad, wait.”

  He must have seen me because his car stopped. Snagging the door handle like it was my lifeline to safety, I jumped in. Just as I closed the door, I looked back at the front door and saw Luke. He stood framed in the doorway with pleading eyes. No calling out, he just watched with pain filled eyes as I drove away with Brad. Sneaking, I wiped a tear looking away. It was too late. What was done was done. I pasted a smile on my face for my unwitting savior, Brad.

  “Changed your mind?” Brad asked.

  I looked at him thinking that what I had done had been incredibly stupid. First of all, I didn’t know Brad at all. What I did know, was that killers come in all shapes and sizes. But if I assume he’s the nice guy he makes himself out to be, still I’d left without my phone or wallet. I was purely at his mercy. Yeah, I know about the play on my name but it was the truth.

  “Pizza is fattening,” I said jokingly, hiding my chocking sobs in apparent laughter. I watched his smile grow before he turned his attention back to the road. “So where are we going?” I asked now assessing the situation.

  “There is a little bistro down the road a bit if you want,” he said. That sounded promising. If I had to walk back maybe it wouldn’t be far. I kept my eyes on the road, so I would know my way back.

  “Sure,” I said.

  My emotions were a hot ball of pop rocks in my stomach as we drove on. Though it was a short drive, I had all the time in the world to think about everything wrong about my circumstances. Brad was a resident at the hospital, which meant he had to be at least twenty one. Jail bait was the description of me when it came to him. If he was worried before about spilling confidential information about Brent’s medical case, being with me could land him in jail. Then of course, I didn’t know really anything about him. I’d barely said a few words to him. What if he was the serial killer that was on the loose righ
t now who seemed to be following my every move?

  I watched houses go by and tried to memorize every turn. The sad thing was since Luke programmed his number in my phone, I really didn’t think I knew it. I didn’t know Flynn’s phone number either. So if I had to make an emergency call, I would have to make a choice between Maggie and my Mom. If Maggie was still in the hospital she may not get reception. Would my mother answer my call? The number I’d call from wouldn’t be a familiar one to her. Berating myself, I knew it was really stupid for me to leave like that.

  Brad parallel parked in front of a small shopping area. He came around the car and opened my door taking my hand. I took it to be polite, but really I was ready to go back. But how could I after I ran after him to escape my problems. He again opened the door for me into a small bistro. I could see from my current vantage point there was a long counter leading from the door almost all the way to the back of the place. Small wooden and metal tables were clusters on the opposite side.

  We walked inside the quaint bistro decorated in a Mediterranean style even though it appeared based on the displays the food was mostly American. Faint music played in the background to add to the earthy feel of the place. We ordered and found an open table. The chivalrous Brad paid for our meals, and I was grateful for not having to make an excuse for my missing wallet. I looked around and found the place was pretty crowded.

  While we waited for our food I decided to try to take control of our conversation, therefore heading off any questions like my age or occupation.

  “So why’d you decide to become a doctor?” I asked.

  He nearly flushed, maybe embarrassed by his answer to come. I wondered how I could possibly make him nervous. “My father is a doctor,” he began. “And well, we’re not rich. You saw my car.”

  I try not to judge people by their possessions. Brad drove a Honda Accord that was a few years old. It was more than what I had. It was a really nice car, but it wasn’t the BMW Luke had either. Clearly his father was in the profession for the love of it and not the monetary gain. That was admirable. “My father devotes a lot of his time at free clinics and such. He also has a full time practice in order to take care of our family,” he said. I didn’t ask any questions yet and just let him speak.

  “I’d like to make a difference too,” he said. “Once I finish medical school and my residency, I plan to join the Peace Corps for a couple of years.”

  “Wow,” I said in pure fascination. I hadn’t expected an answer like that. I was left to ponder that when he got up. He headed to pick up our food when our number was called. A voice in my head I didn’t recognize spoke to me. ‘He’s ripe for the taking.’ I didn’t like the tone of it and tried to ignore the urge to listen. I didn’t have time to wonder where that thought came from.

  When he returned we talked more about his residency and I asked questions about the craziest thing he’d seen in the emergency room. That had been a fantastical story of a man impaling himself with a tree branch and how he came into the emergency room actually talking with leaves sprouting from his shoulder.

  Brad was an easy going likable guy. The kind of guy you could marry. But I was still in high school and had a boyfriend so for obvious reason I treaded carefully. ‘His soul is yours for the taking. Kiss him.” I almost said no out loud to the voice in my mind. Instead, I looked around searching the faces in the crowd. I couldn’t feel the succubus awake, so who was speaking to me in my head.

  “Everything ok?” Brad asked.

  I turned my attention back to him. “Yeah,” I said. I looked down at my empty plate trying to hide my expression. Something wasn’t right. I wasn’t sure how it was happening, but someone was communicating to me in my head. Could it have been Brad? My first guess was no. The voice was telling me to hurt him. But maybe it was a decoy so I would feel safer with him.

  “Ready to go,” he said.

  I looked up at him searching his eyes. Maybe I could see the truth in them. When all I saw was the honest guy he’d seemed to be, I nodded trying to understand what was going on.

  Leaving the bistro, I hoped he would take me home. As much as I didn’t want to face Luke, I needed to tell him about last night and today. Between him and Flynn, maybe we could come up with some answers.

  But when he didn’t take me to the car I got panicky. ‘Go,’ the voice commanded in my head. Compelled to, I nodded in agreement. Brad didn’t see.

  Holding my hand he gently, he pulled me towards the side of the building. When he felt my brief resistance he said, “I want to show you something,” he said.

  I felt the smile return to my lips. It would be so easy to kiss and corrupt Brad. He was mine for the taking. I shook the thought away trying to gain control back on my actions.

  In passing I thought I should make excuses to have Brad take me back. If Brad was the purely sweet guy his actions claim him to be, I thought maybe I owed him just this bit more time. If he turned out to be some sort of killer or the one taking all the missing girls, I could always give him my kiss of death.

  Silently, I hoped if needed, the kiss would be enough to save my life. So I allowed him to guide me around the side of the retail block. We followed wooden stairs right down to the beach. My shoes sunk into the sand as we made our way to the middle, halfway between the stairs and the water.

  “I like to think of this as my little slice of heaven,” he said.

  ‘You could bring him your version of his slice of hell,’ the commander of my mind insisted. I nodded receiving my instructions. I looked at his mouth knowing one kiss and he’d be mine. The thoughts were echoes that seemed to meld in back of my mind. I continued to stare at his mouth.

  Then I was looking at Brad trying to remember just what I’d been thinking about. One thing was clear is that he was really adorable. It would be so easy to kiss him. I thought about Luke briefly, but really it was his fault I was here. Didn’t I deserve a little pay back?

  It was quiet here. I looked down the beach to both sides of me as waves crashed to the shore. We were alone for as far as I could tell. Brad let go of my hand and kneeled down digging his hands into the sand. I walked for a brief minute before I too knelt and asked him what he was up to.

  “Looking for treasure,” he said looking at me with warm eyes. Seeing him then, I really had a hard time believing he wasn’t anything more than a genuinely good guy.

  ‘Such a pure soul would be worth much.’ The words died in my conscious mind after the last syllable.

  “I see,” I said smiling at him. I sat then looking out on the surf. The sun had not yet descended but it was making its way across the sky. As Brad continued to dig like a small child with dreams of pirate treasure, I thought how nice it would feel to be with such a kind person. So I was a couple years younger than Brad. I felt certain that I should at least give him a chance. A kiss couldn’t hurt anyone.

  That thought made me shake my head. What the hell. I wasn’t interested in Brad. How could I be thinking that way? I wanted Luke and I wished he were here with me and not Brad. Nothing against Brad, but my prepossessing heart was for Luke and it was breaking. I fought against the tears because I wouldn’t cry. It was obvious why he would want Adelina over me. She better looking not to mention she was human, therefore better for him anyway. She was probably ready for things I wasn’t. I had every reason to want him to be happy because I loved him. But love can be selfish and I’m sorry but if happiness was with her, I wanted him mad as hell.

  Brad must have hit success because he eyes twinkled devilishly when I turned my gaze back from the ocean to him. He held something out to me and I took it. I knew what it was and ran my fingers across the smooth inside surface and across the rough top ridges. It was a perfect palm sized sea shell.

  “This is beautiful,” I said looking at it with wistful eyes.

  Catching my eye he said, “Not quite as beautiful as you.”

  ‘Now,’ the voice said. I began to lean in on automatic pilot. Brad’s hand touched my ha
nd that was griping the sand. It slid up my arm with bits of the rough grains scratching the surface of my skin. It was a slight pain, but enough it seemed to wake me from an open eyed dream. But my brain didn’t process what’d happened in the proceeding minutes.

  How had we gotten so close? Looking away, I broke eye contact. What lay before mw was the vast ocean. Even though I was a good distance away, I felt like I was drowning. Why was there a part of me wanting to kiss him? Yet the other part was afraid he’d do just that. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Heaven knew that I didn’t want to hurt him. I’d led him on. I shouldn’t be here. There could never be me and Brad for more than one reason. One of the biggest was because I couldn’t tell him to wait for me. Then tell him why, which would be because I wouldn’t be legal for a little more than a year.

  The look in his face was quizzical. I leaned back and he seemed to get the message. He didn’t kiss me. ‘Kiss him,’ the voice yelled in my head.

  My head snapped up. I felt the pull to wrap myself in Brad’s arms. Something was definitely wrong. The voice. I hadn’t to remember the voice. Through clenched teeth I said, “Can you take me home.”

  The pleading in my tone struck him. With defeated smile he stood and held his hand out to me. I took it, letting him help me to my feet. We walked back in silence to his car. Rubbing the soft underside, I held on to that shell. I grip it like it was the only thing that kept me on this side of reality.

  He took me back home without further comment. He parked in front of the house and didn’t turn off the car. Obviously, Brad wasn’t the pushover I thought him to be. Shyly, I looked at him hoping to continue to avoid physical contact other than the hand holding. “Thanks, I had a nice time,” I said because I had.

  He smiled and said, “Me too.” His words had been a bit hollower than I imagined. What did I expect? Then he added, “Well, maybe I’ll see you around.”

  I smiled back at him knowing he’d figured out that I wasn’t interested. The other possibility was he’d finally noticed how young I was. But I didn’t ask him. I simply said, “You will do great things.” The words expressed not only that he would be make this world a better place one day but that I also understood this would be the last time I’d see him.