Chapter 6

Six

Neo

As crazy asmy day had been, I didn't have the energy it took to be upset with Steven. When Merc brought me home to pack a few bags, I tried to wait for Steven to tell him what had happened. I'd already informed my employee that the store would be closed indefinitely. I'd called my parents and Innvy to let them know what was going on as well. Even though they all were worried and grateful I was okay, they told me to do as Rey and Merc said to ensure I'd be safe. Steven was the only person I'd been unable to get ahold of, and I could tell he hadn't been home from work, though he got off three hours ago.

When I got tired of waiting for him, I decided to tell him about what happened on his voicemail since he wasn't answering his phone.

"This isn't the kind of thing you leave on someone's voicemail, but since you're not answering, I have no choice." Huffing, I turned my back to Merc, though he would still be able to hear me, as he stood at the doorframe with his head tilted and arms cupped. "There was a shooting at the store. I'm fine, but I have to go into a bootleg witness protection until the last shooter is found. I guess I'll see you when I see you."

After disconnecting the call, I shoved my phone into my purse. I didn't want to suggest I'd be able to move around freely. For a while, I wanted Steven to hear my message, think he wouldn't be able to see me, and suffer. Yes, it was petty, but that's what his ass would get for not answering my calls. Literally, anything could have happened to me, and he would have no clue. Today was proof to me that he wasn't dependable, and I questioned if he even cared. Not wanting to focus on my horrible relationship, I muttered, "I'm ready."

I grabbed my bags, but Merc took them from my hands. I expected him to say something slick about Steven, but he remained silent, which I appreciated. When we made it to the front door, he told me to hang back while he took my bags out and made sure no one had followed us here. Once he was confident it was safe for me to come out, he came to get me, and we made our way to Rey's house. I still hadn't fully processed everything that had happened today, and I wasn't sure how I'd react when I did.

"Why did you choose me?" Merc asked.

"Seemed like the natural thing to do," I replied without much thought. "I know we don't really know each other, but you're the only one I felt comfortable with outside of Rey in that room. Plus, you're nice. And you saved my life already. Why wouldn't I choose you?"

Merc didn't answer me, and I was okay with that. It seemed we both had a lot on our minds that we needed to work through.

After gettinga tour of Rey's mansion, I was able to choose a room. I chose the one that was closest to Rey's room. He assured me that there would always be guards here and that we would both be protected. Merc wouldn't be here always, but if and when I needed to leave, he would be with me. That was good enough for me. Unlike when I first arrived, the mansion wasn't filled with men. There were several outside and only two inside.

Once I had my bags secured, I made my way outside, hoping the darkened sky would help soothe me before I took a shower and tried to get some sleep… though I was sure I wouldn't be able to get to sleep any time soon.

The weight of the day finally got to me, and I released my tears. I hadn't meant for anyone to catch me in such a vulnerable state, but that seemed to be the case when the sliding door opened. Quickly wiping my tears, I turned as my body crumbled more. Now that they'd finally started to flow, I couldn't stop them or my sobs. When the body sat next to me, I knew by the cologne that it was Merc. He pulled me into his side and held me as I cried. When the sobs turned into whimpers, I pulled away and wiped my face.

"Why you cryin'?"

His simple question and nonchalant tone made me laugh. My life had been upended temporarily, and I was trapped in this compound of a mansion with no one I really knew. Men were shooting in my store, near me, and I saw a man almost lose his life. Yet, here he was, asking me why I was crying, as if this shit was normal. Maybe it was to him. As effortlessly as he aimed and shot, Merc clearly knew what he was doing.

"I'm scared," I admitted.

Merc's hand hovered over mine for a second, as if he was battling with whether he wanted to touch me or not. Finally, he gave in, and I was glad he did when the warmth of his hand covered mine.

"Look at me," he commanded. I did. "As long as I'm here, you don't have anything to fear. You're under my protection now, and that means I'd even go to war wit' God behind you." Merc chuckled. "Trust me… it ain't shit that nigga will be able to do to you."

I trusted him, maybe more than I should have, so I nodded.

"So what are you? A bodyguard or something?"

"Or something," was his answer, making me smile. "Providing protection is a part of what I do."

"What else do you do?"

His eyes shifted toward the sky. "I don't think it matters anymore. Rey is going to be my last client. After him, I'm done."

Nibbling my cheek, I wondered how deep I wanted to go. It seemed he didn't want to offer up a lot of conversation, but seeing as he was the only person here I was comfortable talking to outside of a sleeping Rey, I decided to talk for as long as Merc would allow.

"Is today why you want to quit?"

"It's not the reason, but it is confirmation that it's time."

"Well, thank you again for saving both of our lives. I don't know what Rey is into to need this kind of protection, but he's lucky to have you."

Merc scoffed with a shake of his head. "So lucky he's laid up in bed with a shot to the side?"

"It could have been worse." When he didn't respond, I continued. "Is Merc a nickname because of what you do?"

That made him smile genuinely. "Yes and no. I'm known in the streets as Merc because it's short for mercenary, but it's also short for Mercury, which is my government name."

"Mercury," I repeated, leaning more into his side unintentionally. "That's beautiful and unique." He looked at me, smiling with his eyes though his expression remained one of stone. "Can I call you that?"

"No one calls me Mercury." His eyes lifted back to the sky. "But you can call me that."

A smile lifted the corners of my mouth.

I feel special.

We sat outside for a while longer, looking up into the sky silently. When I started to get tired, I excused myself and retired to my room. After my shower, I took a couple of the Advil PM pills I'd brought, hoping they would help me go to sleep. I checked my notifications, and my eyes rolled at the missed calls from Steven. I started not to call him back, but that would make me just as bad as him.

He answered almost immediately with, "Where you at, and what happened at the store?"

"I told you what happened on the voicemail I left you."

Steven sighed. "Are you okay, bae? Did someone try to rob you? Where you at?"

"I'm fine. I was shaken up, naturally, but I'm okay now. No one tried to rob me. They were shooting at a customer in the store. And I don't know where I am, honestly, but I'm safe."

"Can I come see you?"

My head shook as if he could see me. "No. I'm not allowed to give anyone my location, but I can come see you. I'll just have to have a guard."

"Okay. Tomorrow?"

"We'll see," was what I settled on. While a part of me was glad he seemed concerned, I was kind of over him for the day. I knew he wouldn't tell me what he was doing earlier and why he was unable to answer my calls, so I didn't bother asking. We talked for about thirty minutes or so, until the pills kicked in. And I was grateful they were strong enough to put me to sleep.