Sweet Mercy - Lynn Hagen Page 0,34

turned and stared at his ex-boyfriend. Lloyd was a complete and utter monster, but he was also handsome. That was one of the things that had lured Mercy in, that and Lloyd’s deceptive charm.

“A friend of yours?” Red rolled up the plans and stuffed them under the counter.

“My ex,” Mercy said.

“Oh, the guy who’s body we’re going to hide.” Red rubbed his hands together. “Cool.”

Mercy furrowed his brows as he looked at Red.

Red shrugged. “I’ve dealt with bullies my entire life because of my intelligence. I’m not afraid of them. Underneath all their bluster they’re just cowards.”

“Can we talk privately?” Lloyd looked around, as if he were making sure Ford hadn’t mysteriously appeared from thin air.

Although Mercy knew Red was right, that didn’t stop his heart from racing. This was the guy who had abused Mercy on so many levels, had broken his trust, who had cheated on him, beaten on him, and had threatened his life on more than one occasion.

“No. You need to leave.” Mercy felt as if he was repeating himself from the last time they’d seen each other. Why couldn’t Lloyd take the hint? It was more than a hint. Mercy was flat-out telling him, and the guy still couldn’t get it through his head that it was over and they had nothing to say to each other.

He also feared this would happen again from their last encounter. Had Lloyd returned to Fever’s Edge hoping they could get back together? The idea made Mercy’s stomach churn. Nothing on earth could convince him to get back with Lloyd.

Even if Mercy hadn’t found his mate, he still wouldn’t give his ex a second chance.

Lloyd walked farther into the shop. Mercy hated that he instinctively took a step back. He hated that Lloyd saw that Mercy still feared the bastard.

Lloyd’s gaze swung to Red, as if sizing him up. Red was tall but lean. Mercy’s ex probably thought he could take him down if it came to that.

In truth, Mercy had no idea if Red could fight and didn’t want to find out. He didn’t want Red pulled into this mess. “Get out, Lloyd. You’re not welcome here,” Mercy said in a firmer voice.

“You seriously need to leave, bruh,” Red said. He stood right next to Mercy, like he was telling Mercy they would battle the asshole together.

Mercy was thankful he wasn’t alone in the shop. There was no way he would be able to fight off Lloyd on his own. He’d tried many times during their disastrous relationship and had gotten his ass beat every time.

But that never stopped him from running his mouth. Mercy doubted anything would ever stop him from verbally defending himself. He just wished he had the muscles to back up his words.

“This isn’t any of your business,” Lloyd said to Red as he narrowed his eyes.

“Mercy is my business.” Red matched Lloyd’s scowl. “Walk out of here before you’re carried out.”

Mercy cast a glance at Red. He’d liked the guy from the moment they’d met. Red had also confided in Mercy about the events that had led to him coming to the ranch. He’d been stabbed and shot twice, left for dead. And now he stood there defending Mercy, ready to take on Lloyd.

He’d fought against his attackers and had survived. Red was a fighter, and Mercy’s admiration for him grew. But Mercy couldn’t let Red take on Lloyd. This was his problem, and he needed to be the one to deal with it, to purge Lloyd from his life.

Moving from behind the counter, Mercy kept his shoulders back and his head high, though he was scared shitless to go toe to toe with Lloyd.

His limbs began to shake the closer he drew to the guy, but Mercy had to defeat his monster. He had to face his worst nightmare—though one could argue that Vladimir was now his worst nightmare.

“If you keep harassing me, I’ll call the cops,” Mercy said. “I’ll get a restraining order. I’ll make sure it’s your life that’s a living hell. I’ve changed over the past three years. I’m not cowering to you. I no longer fear you.” A total lie. “There’s nothing left for us to say to each other, so get the hell out.”

As soon as Lloyd raised his hand, Red jumped over the counter and raced toward them. Mercy ducked, missing the flying hand that would’ve smacked him dead in the face.

When he dropped, Mercy wasn’t sure what had taken over, but he slammed his fist