Page 36 of Merci

“I’m sorry, sis,” Ariel almost whispered. “I know you really care about him, but I’m just not sure.”

“Whatever, Ariel,” I said, defeated. “You know Cujo would never hurt you. I’m outta here.”

I made my way to my room and packed as quickly as I could. Once I’d shared my location with him and my brothers, he told me the tracker was already on my car, and I left. For the first time in a week, it felt like I could breathe again the moment I stepped foot into my own home. But that breath came out shaky, and before I knew it, I started to sob.

It was risky, and I knew my daddy would have a fit if he found out, but I had to talk to Hammer. I kept telling them he wouldn’t bring me or anyone in my family harm, but a part of me was still confused. I didn’t know if I was a woman blinded by love or if I really knew my man. I needed Hammer to look me in my eyes and tell me the truth.

I left my phone and car at my office and took an Uber to his place. Surprisingly, he wasn’t working today, and that led me to believe it was because he was focusing more on crisis management, which made me happy. The last time we talked about it, Hammer said he was considering giving other attorneys his clients on retainer, and I hoped that was what he’d done during our time apart.

I didn’t think anything would top the relief that covered Hammer’s face at the sight of me when he opened the door, but when he picked me up and pulled me into a bear hug, that did it. The low growl he released as he pressed me against the wall tickled me as my eyes watered.

“I missed the fuck outta you, Ms. Merci,” he muttered against my neck before kissing it.

“I missed you too, Mr. Freeman.”

Cupping his cheeks, I rested my forehead against his before kissing his lips. What was supposed to be a quick, sweet peck turned deep, slow, nasty, and long.

“We gotta stop before this goes too far,” he said against my lips before kissing me again and placing me on my feet.

Hammer took my hand into his and led me to his living room, where we sat so close our knees touched.

“I’m sorry,” were the first words out of his mouth. “I should’ve told you. I shouldn’t have even pursued you until after I sat down with your pops.”

Chuckling, I bobbed my head as he gently squeezed my hand. “He said the same thing. He’s suspicious and untrusting, and us dating for as long as we did only compounded the issue.”

“That’s on me. I take full responsibility for that.”

“I’m just… confused, bae. I know in my heart that you don’t mean him or my family any harm, but in my mind… I don’t know. Am I wrong, and they see the truth?”

Hammer’s smile was soft as he lifted my hand and kissed it. “I told you my truth. What happened between our fathers ain’t got shit to do with us. You have nothing to be confused about. I ain’t tryna do nothing but love you and be loved by you.”

“I believe that. I guess I just… If the roles were reversed, I could never be with you. All I’d ever think about was what your father did to mine, and I know that sounds horrible to punish a person for something they didn’t do, but still.”

“Well, your family and upbringing was different from mine. It would be completely understandable if the roles were reversed because your father is nothing like mine.” Hammer paused. “I’ma tell you something because I trust you, and I want you to know that you can trust me.”

“Okay.”

“A while ago, I got my revenge. I killed Rey.” My hand slipped out of his, from shock more than anything. “It didn’t make me feel peace or happiness or like I’d gotten even. I did it because I had the chance, and I felt like I had to be loyal to my father. Truthfully, I never loved, liked, or respected my father. He turned me and my brother into monsters, and he was one too. If your father hadn’t killed him when he did, someone else was going to. And I can’t even sit here and say it wouldn’t have been me or my brother. The abuse wasthatdamn bad. I know it’s hard to accept that, but if you had any idea what that man put us through, you would.”

“And you don’t think that will change when you’re in the same room as my daddy?”

“Nah. I considered that a lot right after we met. I don’t feel like I’ll see him and want blood. Shit, I might feel gratitude.”

I couldn’t resist pulling him into my arms, and Hammer set me on his lap.

“I believe you. Even if they don’t, I do.”

“Guess it doesn’t matter now. I’m assuming they don’t want you to have anything to do with me, and I can respect that.”

“You may be able to respect it, but I can’t accept it.”

His head shook adamantly. “I would never make you go against your people to be with me, sweetheart. I want you. I love you. I meant that shit. But if they aren’t willing to accept us, we won’t work. I know how important family is to you, and I know what it feels like for that relationship to be strained. I wouldn’t dare do that to you.”

My chin trembled as I fought back my tears. “Then you need to fix this because you can’t make me fall in love with you and then just leave me. That’s unacceptable.”

Hammer’s laugh was quiet as he kissed my forehead.

“I would do anything to fix this, Merci. If there was something I could say or do to convince your father of my intentions, I would. And there’s no doubt in my mind that if he accepted me, your brothers would fall in line. It would probably take some time, but I’d be willing to try if they were.”