Chapter Twenty-Seven
MERCS
Minutes Before
“I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I can’t deny my feelings. Love isn’t the issue. It has to work this time—” The sharp gasp behind me cuts me off.
I spin toward the door just in time to see Effa disappear through it.
“Goddammit!”
“What’s wrong?” Lilah asks on the other end of the line.
“I have to go. Thanks for calling. I hope you got what you needed to hear. I’m sorry, I have to cut this short. Take care of yourself, Lilah.”
“Kaden, honestly… I’m glad you’re happy with her.”
I end the call and exhale hard, rubbing my hand down my face.
The unexpected call with Lilah turned out to be the closure we both needed. It helped her see there’s nothing left between us, and helped me realize, without a shadow of a doubt, that everything I want, everything that matters, is Effa.
She is my future.
My now.
My always.
But right now, Effa’s hurting because she didn’t hear the full conversation. She only heard fragments, but it was enough to make her run, and I need to fix that.
I bolt out of the room and head for her green room first, but it’s empty. My pulse spikes. She wouldn’t leave without telling someone, especially not without Raoul, so the stage is my next guess.
As I approach, voices drift toward me—hers and Jett’s.
I round the corner, and the sight that greets me makes my blood boil.
Jett is seated beside her. Raoul’s on the other side, watching like a hawk, but it’s not enough to ease the fury brewing in my gut.
Jett’s hand rests on Effa’s knee, and she isn’t pushing him away.
That alone stings like hell, but Raoul intervenes, removing Jett’s hand.
Then Jett, arrogant prick that he is, drapes an arm around her shoulders, only to drop it after a warning glare from Raoul.
And then…
Then… he kisses the top of her fucking head.
That’s it.
A primal rage erupts inside me. My feet stomp forward, each step echoing like thunder, commanding attention, and all three of them turn at the sound.
Effa’s eyes widen, the color draining from her face.
Raoul remains stone still, neutral, but alert.
Jett? Yeah, he smirks.
That smug, cocky grin he wears like a badge of honor is about to get ripped clean off his face.
“Mercury, seems you’ve been neglecting my little cupcake—”
I don’t let him finish.
I lunge, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him up so fast that Effa lets out a startled squeal.
My grip is iron, and I shove him hard, so hard he flies backward like a rag doll, crashing against the edge of the stage.
Limbs flail, and the sound of his back hitting the hardwood echoes like a cannon shot.
He laughs, of course, he fucking laughs, as he sits up and brushes himself off, adjusting his shirt like this is all part of his fucking game.
Raoul steps beside me silently, his presence solid—watching, waiting.
“Stay the fuck away from Effa, Jett!” I roar, my fists trembling at my sides. “Haven’t you been told to keep your distance?”
Jett chuckles darkly, rising to his feet and glaring at me through narrowed eyes. “Look, Mercury, I can’t help it if she craves my attention—”
“Jett, stop!” Effa’s voice cuts through the moment, cracking slightly. She’s hugging herself, visibly shaken.
“You think you can treat her like shit and she’ll still come crawling back?” Jett sneers, his eyes flashing.
I step forward, my muscles taut with rage, but Raoul presses a firm hand to my chest to hold me back.
Fuck! My control is hanging by a thread.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. Get the fuck out of here before I do something I won’t regret.”
His lips twitch, unbothered. “You’re cocky, Mercury. Shit like that’s gonna come back and bite you in the ass one day.”
I raise a brow. “Is that a threat?”
Raoul’s hand tightens, keeping me planted.
Jett doesn’t flinch. Instead, he jumps down from the stage, straightens his shirt, and looks between us. “That’s a promise,” he spits, before turning his attention to Effa. “Call me when you need a real man, cupcake.” The asshole takes off down the hall, chuckling.
And it takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to chase after him and cave his face in.
But I made a promise to Effa. No violence.
I grind my teeth, the tension running through my body like electricity, and finally turn back to face her. She’s still hugging herself, her eyes wet, her shoulders trembling.
Fuck.
I rush to her, pulling her into my arms. She fits against me like she always has—like home. But there’s hesitation in the way she melts into me. I feel it, that crack between us, that doubt.
“Effa,” I whisper. “I don’t know what you heard, but it wasn’t what you think.”
She trembles in my hold, her bottom lip quivering.
“What’s gotten you so upset?” I ask, gently gripping her shoulders and searching her eyes.
She looks down, voice barely audible. “Are you going back to Lilah?”
I stiffen. “What?”
“It’s okay if you are, I understand. I know she’s your childhood sweetheart and—”
I don’t let her finish.
Instead, I crash my lips to hers, intense and hungry, trying to pour every bit of reassurance into the kiss. She hesitates at first, but then gives in, our mouths finding their rhythm. Her taste is everything—berries and breathless emotion.
When I finally pull back, I cup her cheek, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “There’s no way in hell I’m going back to Lilah,” I say firmly. “You are my future.”
Her brow furrows, lips parting slightly. “I’m glad to hear that, but the things you were saying… ‘Love isn’t the issue,’ ‘You don’t know what the future holds,’ ‘You can’t deny your feelings,’ and ‘It has to work this time’. How was I supposed to hear all that and not think—”
“Effa,” I cut in, shaking my head with a soft laugh as I pull her tighter. “Everything you just said? It was about you. All of it.”
She blinks, confused.
“When I said I didn’t know what the future held, I meant for us. Because it’s unknown, but it’s everything I want. The feelings I can’t deny? They’re mine for you. And the part about it having to work this time? That’s because the last time, with Lilah, it didn’t. But this? You and me? It will.”
Her eyes start to soften, shimmering with emotion.
“And that part about the love I feel being there? I said it because…” I pause, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “I love you, Effa.”
She sucks in a breath. “Oh…”
I smile. “Yeah. I’m sorry you heard things out of context. I wish I could take it back. But please know, I would never leave you. When I said you’re mine… I meant it. I’m yours, too. I’m all in. Trust that.”
She surges into my arms, wrapping herself around me like she’s afraid I might disappear. I hold her tightly, grounding us both in the moment.
“I trust you,” she murmurs. “I don’t know why I ran. I should’ve asked. I love you too. So much. But, why was she calling?”
I exhale. “Didn’t recognize the number. It was Ligonier’s area code, and I panicked.
Thought it was the hospital, news about Kiera.
When I realized it was Lilah, I knew I had to say what needed to be said.
She wanted closure, needed closure, and I gave her that.
It wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have, but it felt… necessary.”
She nods, then looks away, embarrassed. “God, I feel so stupid.”
I cup her chin and guide her gaze back to mine. “No. Emotions are messy. But no more running, okay? We’ve both been haunted by the past for long enough. It’s time to look forward.”
She nods again. “Yeah, our future. That’s what matters now.”
I press my lips to her forehead, holding her tight. But even as her body relaxes into mine, I can’t shake the lingering tension in my gut.
Jett’s warning replays in my mind like a broken record.
‘That’s a promise.’
He’s not done.
And I’m not taking any chances when it comes to protecting Effa.
Whatever he’s planning, I’ll be ready.
Because no one touches my girl.
Not again.
EFFA
Two Days Later
The buzz from the show is still pulsing through my veins as I finish getting ready for the after-party in our hotel suite.
Tonight’s celebration is being held downstairs in the hotel bar, and honestly, it’s the perfect setup.
It’s exclusive, only our people, and with Luke ramping up security lately, having it on-site makes things easier and safer for everyone.
I slip out of my platform boots because, let’s face it, my feet are crying, and step into a pair of low-heeled ankle boots instead.
“You ready to go, baby?” Mercs asks, adjusting his watch as I zip up the side of my dress.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I reply just as his cell buzzes in his jeans pocket. The sharp ring breaks the calm, and we both pause, glancing at each other with raised brows.
He pulls out his phone and frowns. “It’s Kiera.”
Relief softens my shoulders. “You should take it.”
He swipes the screen. “Hey, booger-butt.”
That nickname alone makes me smile as I step closer to him. But the second I reach him, his expression shifts. His smile falters, replaced with a deep crease between his brows.
“Yeah, I have time to talk,” he says, tone softening, before he looks up at me apologetically.
I nod, understanding. “I’ll give you some space. I’ll head down to the party. Meet me when you’re done?”
He reaches out, giving my hand a tight squeeze. “Won’t be long.”
Blowing him a kiss, I step out into the hallway where Raoul is already waiting.
“Flying solo tonight, mon petit oiseau?” he teases as I link my arm with his.
“Temporarily. Mercs is talking to Kiera.”
Raoul nods. “She sounds like a lovely girl.”
A warmth rushes through me. “She really is.”
We make our way down to the bar, and the second the elevator doors open, the thumping bass hits us like a tidal wave. The atmosphere is alive with bright lights, laughter, music, and the unmistakable hum of celebration. We head through the velvet ropes into the VIP section of the hotel bar.