Page 25 of Merci

“Mm, I love the sound of that. Let’s go.”

Hand-in-hand, we left, and I couldn’t wait to get back to his place. Sex with Hammer was always an experience. Whether we made love, fucked, or teased each other to an orgasmic end, Iloved every second of my encounters with him. Hell, I just… lovedhim. I wouldn’t tell him that, though. Not until he said it at least. I might have tried my hardest to take things slow with him, but I couldn’t deny it anymore.

I was totally and completely in love with this man.

16

HAMMER

Merci had dropped off lunch for me today, which I appreciated. Between lunch with her and dinner with Mama, I was set. I knew Mama was going to have something to say about me not coming over as much for her food because she knew a woman was behind it. I still came over to have dinner with her and Cujo once or twice a week, but not nearly as much as I used to. I hoped the cookies Merci had bought me would soften Mama enough to where she wouldn’t question me too much, but I could tell by how she eyed me that wouldn’t be the case. I chuckled and shook my head when she grunted and rolled her eyes.

“What is it, Ma?” I asked after my laugh died down.

“I’m jealous. You got someone else feeding you, and you won’t tell me who it is.”

I knew it was coming. Running my hands down my face, I smiled. Only so much time would pass before she’d be demanding to meet Merci. That, I was sure of. There was a while where she didn’t think her sons would ever get married and have kids, and while I couldn’t say Cujo’s mind had changed about that, mine had. Merci made the impossible seem possible, and I was grateful to God for that. After Nathan’s funeral, I decidedI wanted my own family, but I didn’t expect to meet my wife so soon after.

“It’s still new, Ma, but there is someone. I won’t deny that.”

“It might be new, but it means a lot to you. I can tell.”

“How?” I questioned, grabbing a chocolate chip cookie out of the box.

She rubbed her hands together and sat back in her seat. “You’re lighter. Softer. Love is all over you, baby. I might tease you about it, but Mama issohappy for you.”

“Thank you, Ma,” I said with a smile. “I… I know it’s early, but I love her. I’m in love with her. I’ve never felt the way I feel about her for anyone else.”

“And you’re sure she feels the same way?”

“Yeah. She’s a lover girl, and she doesn’t mind giving that love to me.”

“Ooh, this makes me so happy,” she said, dancing and clapping. “Okay. I know you want to go slow with this, but promise I can meet my new daughter soon. You know how long I’ve been waiting for this, Hammer?—”

“I know, I know,” I surrendered softly. “You’ll meet her. Honestly… there’s a reason I’m keeping her away,” I confessed, squeezing the back of my neck. “It’s not you. It’s some shit that didn’t even have anything to do with us, but it’s affecting us and could affect our relationship.” Shrugging, I slumped down in the seat. “I’on know. I feel like when she meets my family and finds out who I come from, things are going to be over between us.”

Ma’s smile faded as she considered my words. “What did your daddy do? Even if his death, the bastard isstillfucking things up.”

I know she didn’t mean for it to, but her words forced a choked laugh out of me.

“Ma!”

“What? He is! I thought when he died, we’d be free of him, but clearly, that wasn’t the case. Still gotta deal with his crazy, hateful-ass family and now whatever is going on with you. What is it?”

Licking the corner of my mouth, I considered only briefly if I wanted to tell her the truth. I knew there was no point in hiding it. She’d find out eventually.

“Her daddy killed Pops and Granddaddy.”

Mama’s eyes blinked rapidly. I saw the moment she stopped breathing, and the moment her lungs started working again. Head tilted, her mouth opened and closed twice before any words actually came out.

“I-I thought Rey did that.”

“He did,” I agreed, bobbing my head. “Granddaddy Bart started the war. He went after Rey first, and you know he used Pops to do it. Pops got a team together, and they went after Rey. They also went after Neo, since the initial attack happened at her store. Rey hired Merc to protect him and Neo, who just so happened to give birth to the woman I’m in love with. Before that happened, though, Merc ended the war on Rey’s behalf by killing Granddaddy and Pops after he went after Neo, Merci’s mom.”

A shaky breath escaped her as she rubbed her hands up and down her thighs.

“You’re telling me, after all these years, you’ve found and fallen in love with the daughter of the man who was hired to kill your father.”

I nodded, grumbling, “Yeah,” under my breath.