Page 156 of Merciless

“The whole school knows now. I’m safe from backlash,” Elijah says. “You’re not. Everything you’ve ever loved is now mine to destroy.”

“Is it safe?” Rome walks back into the room. He meets my eye before turning his attention to the laptop balanced on his palm.

Asher glares at him and moves behind me to drape his arms over my shoulders and tuck me against his chest.

“Is that all for the video, or do you need more?” Rome’s fingers hover over the computer’s keyboard.

Elijah turns his head and peeks at Rome from the corner of his eye. “That’s all.”

Rome taps a key, and the live footage on the TV ends. “If that’s all, then I’ll be on my way. Don’t forget your promise.”

I look at Elijah. “Promise?”

“We made a deal. Favor for favor,” Elijah says.

Rome shoves his laptop into his messenger bag and hangs the strap over his shoulder. He looks at me and casts a charming smile at me. “Don’t be a stranger, little bird. Flip would love your company.”

“Fuck no,” Asher and Elijah growl at the same time.

I scowl at both of them before turning to Rome. “I’d love to see Flip soon.”

Rome dips his chin in a nod.

“We look forward to your company.” He turns his attention to Elijah, then to Asher. “The Walker brothers won’t be a problem for you anymore, by the way.”

“What did you do?” Elijah stands and slips his hands into his pockets.

Rome’s friendly smile tightens. “Nothing to be concerned about. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a little peach waiting for me.”

Little peach?

I mentally shake off the question.

Rome leaves without another word, and the door shuts behind him.

“So what now?” I ask.

“You and Asher can go out for the day, and I’ll take care of Derrick,” Elijah says.

“Then, after that?” I say.

Elijah tilts his head. “I’m not sure what you’re asking, baby.”

“I mean, with us. What now?”

He steps toward me, each magnetic stride sucking the air from my lungs. “I thought we made it clear.”

Asher bends down until his mouth is beside my ear. “Very clear. You’re ours.”

“And we’re yours,” Elijah says, closing the distance between us.

“You’ll be our wife and have our kids.” Asher rubs my stomach. “But I think we’ve already got one of those things checked off.”

My heart drops, and I lean back to look at him. “I’m not pregnant.”

He smirks. “We don’t know for sure yet, but I guarantee that you’ll get pregnant soon.”

Elijah stops in front of me. “This means that we’re your beginning and ending.”