Page 71 of Merciless

“Yeah, it’s going great.” I wince. “Anyway, where’s Ruby? I’d like to wish her an early happy birthday.”

Mom’s attention flits back to me, and she smiles. “She’s staying with some friends tonight, but she’ll be back tomorrow. Why don’t you go drop off your bags, freshen up, and come down for dinner?”

I nod. “It’s just dinner, right? Not something else?”

It’s always something extravagant or boring. Or both, considering I never have fun when Mom and Joe show off their money.

Mom rolls her eyes and waves a hand to dismiss my question. “Don’t start, Eden.”

“Right. Nice chat.” I grab my bag.

“There are my boys.” Mom brushes past me and rushes to Elijah. Asher hangs back, his gaze on me rather than my mother. He tilts his head, a smirk dancing on his lips.

I turn and wheel my luggage toward the staircase.

I don’t know why Asher was looking at me like that, but it can’t be anything good. Hopefully, he didn’t spy on Elijah and me while we were in the gas station.

I pass Elijah and Asher’s bedrooms on the second floor, their doors cracked open. Our rooms look the same: huge spaces, bigger beds with canopies, and a door that leads to a shared balcony.

Shaking my head, I enter my bedroom and drop my bags near my neatly made bed. Everything is still in its place, as if I hadn’t been gone all this time. At least someone opened the lace curtains over the balcony door to let in the sunshine.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, and my stomach immediately sinks at the unknown number displayed in the notifications.

I shouldn’t read it. I know what it’ll be. Yet, my body moves on its own, as if someone else is forcing me to look at the new message.

Unknown Number

Well, what do we have here? Astar Elite Slut. You’d open your legs for anyone, wouldn’t you?

*attached image*

I stare at the picture with my heart in my throat.

I think I may actually throw up.

In the image, Elijah has me pinned to the shower wall with my legs wrapped around his waist. We’re mid-kiss, our tongues visible in the picture as they tangle together. His arm is tucked between our bodies, but his hand is hidden.

I already know what he’s doing. Just looking at the picture, I can feel the ghost of his fingers inside me as they sent me into a toe-curling orgasm.

How the hell did he get that picture?

The only people there were Elijah, me, and Katie. Unless he was there with Katie and didn’t make a sound while she talked to me.

My jaw clenches, and I type out a message before I can think it through.

Eden

You were there?

Was I? Or did I have some help?

Katie?

No.

Then who?

Now why would I go and tell you that? Are you afraid that I’ll post that embarrassing picture of you and your stepbrother?