Page 45 of Merciless

Asher slowly turns and glares at me.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” I tap my finger on the leather armrest.

Silence.

He knows that I know. Now it’s a battle of wills.

I sigh and stand from the sofa, then saunter toward my twin. Getting the truth out of him will be like pulling teeth. Asher’s not one to kiss and tell—or, in this case, pour his heart out about a taboo subject.

Asher squares his shoulders, and his guarded gaze fills with a blazing fire. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up burned. I’m not looking for a fight. I’d rather reach out with an olive branch and hope he takes it.

“How about we work together, hm?” I stop in front of him and slip my hands into my pockets.

Asher’s eyes narrow, and he takes a step back.

“I’m sure she can’t tell the difference between us. Same tattoos, same hairstyle,” I say. “You can continue your stalking and pining, and it’ll help me win this bet. No one will be the wiser.”

He freezes, then closes the gap in one stride and crowds my space. His chest bumps against mine, and I hold my ground, refusing to let him intimidate me.

“The cat is out of the bag, Asher. No more secrets.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “Do you want her?”

A snarl breaks free from Asher, and he moves in a blink. My back slams against the wall, and his hand fists my shirt in the middle of my chest.

I let out a loud laugh and rest my head against the wall. “You fooled me for a while, but you can’t hide things from me forever. You know better than that.” I grin. “Besides, if you want her, this is your chance to have her.”

Asher bares his teeth and white-knuckles my shirt.

“You won the race,” I say. “I’m a man of my word. Her pussy belongs to you.”

But that doesn’t mean other parts of her don’t belong to me, a tiny voice whispers in the back of my mind.

Asher’s gaze darkens, and his hold on my shirt loosens just enough for me to notice.

My grin widens. “My assumption was correct, then. You want to fuck our sister.”

He releases me and steps back, putting space between us as he averts his gaze.

I should be angrier about this. I’m annoyed, maybe even offended that he chose her over me. But I understand the power of pussy. Just not enough that I let it control me.

“Sleep on it,” I say, straightening to my full height. I step away from the wall. “In the morning, you can decide. Hopefully, you’ll make the right choice and help me.”

Asher’s gaze flicks back to me.

“You get the girl,” I say, “and I win the bet to sell the Mazda.”

Asher’s eyebrows furrow. Confusion replaces the fiery rage in his eyes.

“I didn’t plan to keep the car.” I smooth the wrinkles out of my shirt. “We could use that money for whatever we need.”

Our last name is wealthy. Our father isn’t left wanting. However, Asher and I are left with a limited fortune; our father deposits a certain amount into our accounts every month. He wants me to wed a woman and produce children before he’ll hand over the inheritance he’s holding above our heads. Until then, the money that I’ll get from the Mazda will have to suffice.

Asher’s features slacken, and he steps back.

I slip my hands into my pockets. “I have four days to win her over. Are you in? Or will you continue standing in the way?”

Asher clenches and unclenches his fists at his sides. “I don’t know how to . . .”

I arch an eyebrow. “You don’t know how to . . . ?”