Page 5 of Merciless

“Please what?” I shot back at him. “Please let your mistress attend the funeral of her best friend she betrayed? Not fucking likely.”

Tears gathered in Nikita’s eyes as she stared up at me, pleading. “I loved her, too, Colton. You can’t do this.”

I cackled, maniacal and unhinged—which I fucking was. “Woman or not. If you step one foot in that room, I’ll knock you the fuck out.”

Nikita flinched, which made my dad hook an arm over her shoulder, pulling her into his side. “Does everything have to resort to violence?”

My fists bunched up at my sides, shaking from the battle of holding them back. They wanted to fly, and I was inclined to give in.

I shifted my gaze to Nikita, pinpointing her. “Try me and see what happens.”

Then, something flashed in the depths of her devil eyes—something I would have missed if I wasn’t lasered in on her. It was the look of challenge. As if she wanted to step up to me, the arrogant fool.

Despite her hushed protests, William guided her towards the exit, ensuring he was a physical barrier between us at all times.

As she left, he reluctantly turned towards me, his expression defeated, his energy crushed.

I scoffed. “How dare you invite her here.”

“I didn’t. I told her to stay away, but she’s been… isolated, Colt. Nikita just wanted to grieve with others who loved Bethy too. That’s all.”

“That’s all? By her coming here, she has once again proven the depths of her selfishness and greed. It wasn’t enough that she fucked her best friend’s husband. No. She just had to rub it in one last time before Mum was buried underground for good, right?”

William jolted at my vicious statement. But I couldn’t stop. “Was it not enough that you tarnished my last moments with my mother? Now you want to cuddle up to your whore and excuse her for being here? When are you going to stop tearing apart my fucking soul?”

He was legitimately crying then, eyes tortured as they soaked in every savage accusation.

“I know you’re hurting. We’re all hurting, son. But I want my boy.”

“I want my dad,” I replied, agony coating my voice.

“I’m right here,” he said, tapping the centre of his chest. William took one step forward, then another, his features carved into a distraught mask of desperation. “Where’s my caring, loving boy? Where did he go?”

“You killed him,” I said, raw and honest. “There are so many wounds you inflicted. I’m bleeding the fuck out, Dad. I’m barely surviving as it is. How am I supposed to staunch the outpouring when you keep adding more injuries?”

“I swear, I’d never willingly hurt you, Colt. I love you.”

“Too late.”

Background noise abruptly infiltrated our private bubble when the funeral director slipped through the heavy doors and into the foyer. “I apologise for interrupting. I’ve completed the introductions. We’re just waiting on one of you to start the service.”

William nodded, the foyer lapsing into silence as we were left alone once more.

I pivoted for the entryway, my hand stalling on the handle when he called out from behind.

“Please, let’s do this together. I-I need you.”

“No.”

“Colton… Son, you’re breaking my heart.”

“I would be inclined to believe you, if you actually had one.”

I turned and entered the main area where everyone patiently waited, leaving my father behind in the shadows, where he belonged.

Chapter 4

COLTON