Blast from the Past (Men of Severn #2)

Chapter Four

Shane Blake

I love the smell of printer ink and coffee in the morning. My business is my pride and joy. The set way in which things are done, the structure of it all, keeps me grounded and sane while my entire life is falling apart around me. This is something I can control.

Unlike Charlotte, who still refuses to see me. Or the fact that I am going to be a single father in the next few days when she delivers the baby. I know she was telling the truth about the baby. I remember thinking it was all a dream, Mercy beneath me, letting me have her like I have always wanted. But it wasn’t. Instead, it was a drunken mistake at a Halloween party with a girl who was wearing a black wig and nothing else remotely resembling the woman I have craved for years.

And it’s not like things at the underground fight scene are any easier. Zane is driving me nuts, but he is the reigning champion and stays that way by fucking with people. I’m not just some idiot that will fall for his bullshit. I’m coming for his title, and he can do and say whatever he wants, I’m not leaving until I get what I want.

One would think because of the violence I so easily dole out in the octagon, I wouldn’t enjoy this, but I do. I like working with people and helping them find that perfect house to call home. Being part of their story holds a special place in my heart and in a small town like this, helping someone buy their dream home is a big deal.

“Morning,” my best friend Kalum says as he drops a Styrofoam cup filled with coffee on my desk.

“You’re looking worse for wear,” I comment after a glance.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I haven’t slept in two days. My new neighbor has a baby that simply will not stop crying.” He runs his hand over his face in exasperation.

“Maybe you should head back home and get some sleep?”

“I wish…” He sighs before taking a swig of his coffee. “But I need to show the Vincents a few of our listings today and they have already canceled on me twice. I really don’t want this commission slipping through my fingers.”

I nod my head as I continue to finish up the few admin items I left over from last night. I know better than to push the subject. Kalum is one of the most hardworking people I have ever met. Short of firing him, I know he won’t go home before seeing his clients for the day.

“What do you have scheduled for today?” he asks, leaning over to check the desktop calendar in front of me.

“Not much. I have a client coming in to look at the old garage,” I say. “It would be great if someone fixed that up and got it running again.”

Kalum laughs as he pats my back before moving over to his own office. Once the last of my admin and filing is done, I take a sip of my coffee and scroll through my social media, waiting for the time to pass and my client to arrive.

“I heard you were back,” Kalum’s voice finally filters into my brain.

I quickly stand and move around my desk, my subconscious already aware of who he is speaking to without having to ask.

“Can no one keep a secret in this damn town?” Her laughter hits me.

Standing in the doorway, I watch my best friend hug her tightly to his chest, and jealousy pummels me. Why couldn’t that have been us? Why couldn’t our first interaction have been a moment of happiness? No. Instead, it has been an uphill battle all the way.

“What brings you in here today? Need to rent an apartment?” Kalum asks as I return to my desk.

“No, thanks. I still have the house. I never could get it over my heart to sell it,” she replies and my best friend chuckles. The pen in my hand creaks at the force of my grip at easy banter between them, when all we ever do is fucking fight. “Actually,” she continues, “I’m here to see Shane.”

My friend chuckles, again, but doesn’t say a word. Fucker. Seems all he ever does is laugh at other people’s misery. He knows how I feel about Mercy and probably thinks it’s funny that we can’t seem to be civil, let alone get along.

Her heels click on the tiles as she makes her way to me. My entire body is rigid, waiting for her to speak when she walks through the door and into my office. For long moments Mercy remains silent, and I bask in her nearness, enjoying the scent of her subtle perfume. I know this peaceful moment won’t last long so I try to enjoy it.

“So, are you going to show me?” she asks lowly as she leans over my back and looks at the screen of my laptop.

“Show you what?” I ask in reply, not lifting my gaze to meet her but staring at my laptop.

“The garage, jackass.”

Shock courses through me. “Why would you want to look at the garage?”

“Didn’t Marco call you? I gave him the listed number.”

“Mr. Salazar. Yes, he called.” A strange sense of foreboding swells within me. I’m not sure I want to hear her next words.

“Okay. So, I am here to scout the place before we make any final decisions. Marco should be down in a week or so to finalize the paperwork if I am happy with the place.”

I stare at her but remain silent. She has a fucking man in her life and yet walks around in nothing but a damn t-shirt. I feel dirty all over again remembering how I fantasized about her in the shower this morning, working my hand over my hard cock until I exploded against the white tile wall.

Of course, Mercy would have a man in her life. She’s fucking gorgeous. Slowly, I breathe through the jealousy before standing and grabbing the keys to the location as well as my car.

“Let’s do it,” I say, gesturing for her to go first.

For a moment I think she is going to say something. But she just shakes her head and walks her jean-clad ass out onto the sidewalk. I know I’m a bastard, but I can’t get my gaze off her.

****

Mercy West

The garage is exactly what I remember. Two pumps and two work bays. It’s perfect for what we want to do, and I know I’ll be signing the contract today. Marco and Antonio are going to love this place.

“It needs some attention,” Shane says as I walk around the space.

“There is an apartment upstairs, correct?” I ask, not looking at him.

This man does ridiculous things to my hormones. One minute I want to hit him with my car and the next I want to jump on him and beg him to fuck my brains out. I hate feeling this constant up and down with him, with anyone for that matter.

“There is,” he says lowly. “But you have the house. Or are you looking to rent it out?”

“Not at all,” I reply, checking out the office space. “How many rooms?”

“Two. Are you going to rent out the apartment then?”

“You’re being nosy.”

“It’s my job. If you’re going to be listing it, I would like the commission.”

I finally look at him. His jaw is clenched as are his fists at his sides. This isn’t just about a commission on a rental, but I can’t figure out what it could be. He looks pissed off right now and none of this makes sense.

“Marco and Antonio, my business partners, will need somewhere to live until they find something more permanent.” I watch his shoulders sag, and all the anger leaves him, and it finally clicks. “Oh my God,” I gasp.

“What?” His gaze collides with mine. “Is there something wrong?”

“You were jealous,” I accuse.

“I was not.” If it weren’t for the flush of color on his cheeks, he would have gotten away with the lie.

“Shay…” I sigh, stepping closer to him. “If we are going to be around each other, we need to clear the air. We can’t continue fighting like this. We live in the same town, I work for your brother, we are bound to end up around each other whether you like it or not. This isn’t healthy and I sure as shit don’t enjoy being the topic of gossip around town.”

He stares at me, his gaze like a caress across every inch of my face before he speaks.

“Fine,” he admits, begrudgingly. “I may have been a little jealous.”

“You thought Marco was my man?” I ask, placing a hand on his chest over his perfectly pressed dark blue button-up shirt.

I have imagined this moment more times than is probably healthy. The opportunity to clear the air between us and find out what went wrong so many years ago. My chance to finally tell him how I feel and maybe even have the man I have always wanted.

“Mercy,” he says lowly, his heart beating rapidly against my palm. “Now isn’t the time or place to talk about any of this.”

“It never is,” I reply. “But I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“What do you want from me?”

“The truth. For years we were inseparable and then you started treating me like trash. I want to know why. I want to know why you would get jealous thinking I have a man in my life. I want to know why you’re always angry when I’m around.”

“Merc—”

But I cut him off. “I never did anything to you and if I did, I deserve to know.”

I don’t expect his next move, but I find myself wrapped in his muscular arms, my face pressed against his solid chest. For long moments, he simply holds me before pushing me away until I’m at arm’s-length. His gaze once more caresses my face as he studies me.

“I didn’t know,” he says. “I never meant to upset you. Or hurt you.”

“Then explain it to me,” I demand in a whisper. “Because I don’t understand, I never have.” It takes everything in me to keep the pain out of my voice and to keep the tears burning in my eyes from falling. I have always hated crying.

Shane looks conflicted right before he presses his lips to mine.