Acts of Mercy: A Stepbrother Romance (Men of WRATH Book 5)
Acts of Mercy: Part 2 – Chapter 11

“So I think we should start with these cases,” Charlie, the tallest of the three boys, reaches across the dining table, his muscular forearm leading to thick fingers that point to the syllabus printout I hold in my hand.

Today is the beginning of my college education and I’m anything but thrilled.

Usually, this is my jam. I make straight A’s and live for extra credit assignments. It’s a source of pride. Something that’s actually under my control, unlike the rest of my life where my parents have planned everything to a tee.

So naturally, when my pre-law professor split our class into groups and handed out extra credit assignments like candy, I was elated.

That is, until I met my group. Three eager eyes look at me, waiting for my approval.

Charlie, Rex, and Michael. How three of the hottest guys in our freshman class ended up being in my group, I will never know.

Most girls would be ecstatic. Hell, I even got some nasty glares from haters wishing they could take my spot, but me? I’m all thumbs. I’m awkward as hell when it comes to boys. Whatever I exuded with Hudson was false bravado—a ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality, if you will.

“Um, sure. That sounds good.” I nod and flip through the syllabus, double checking that we aren’t missing anything.

“Okay, so now that we have that handled and out of the way, how about we do something fun?” Rex cocks a dark brow, his predatory eyes lingering and annoying the hell out of me.

“We still haven’t done any of the reading. Shouldn’t we do that before jumping into fun?” I hate to sound like a damn prude, but that’s the whole reason I let them come over in the first place. We agreed we would get a head start on our assignment.

Yes, they’re fucking hot. And yes, before having Hudson I probably would have enjoyed all this male attention.

But now? Now, all I want is Hudson. I know it makes little sense and that it’s probably never going to happen, but my heart isn’t into shallow flirting. Flirting that won’t lead anywhere because there’s no way in hell I’m letting any of these guys near my lady bits.

Michael gets up from the table, his tall figure circling the massive slab of wood until he’s right behind me. “You seem tense.” His hands land on my shoulders and I still, unsure of how to get out of this awkward as hell situation. “There’s no way you can focus on the assignment if you’re all tight. How about I help you rel—”

A deep voice cuts him off before he has a chance to finish. “Remove your fucking hands. Now!”

Instantly, I feel Michael’s hands leave my body. A welcomed relief, but at what cost? I totally could’ve handled this situation myself.

All I needed was a little time to think my plan out.

“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know her parents were home.”

I flinch, knowing that was probably the wrong thing to say.

Hudson storms over to Micheal until he’s retreating against one of the dining room walls. “She’s my sister, not my daughter. Not that it matters. She’s off-limits to you and your friends. And if you value your hands, I suggest you keep them to yourselves or I won’t have a problem removing them from your body. Understood?”

Hudson’s six-foot-three towers over Michael who’s cowering in fear. I don’t blame him. Hudson is a force to be reckoned, his features spelling nothing but murderous rage.

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Michael slides to the side, and away from Hudson’s overbearing presence.

Behind him, Rex and Charlie pack their book bags, having seen the writing on the wall. Great, I’ll now be known as ‘Alyssa the untouchable.’ Not that I wanted their touch, but I sure as hell didn’t want to be the class leper.

The three boys waive their goodbyes, not even daring eye contact, quickly shuffling away without so much as a peep.

Great. Just fucking great.

I feel Hudson’s warmth behind me and know he’s there, staring down at me.

Slowly, I turn to stand, looking up at his rage filled eyes and clenched jaw.

“Well, hello to you too,” I snark in reply to his glowering.

It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen him and he still manages to steal my breath away—even in his current homicidal state.

“Don’t hello me, Alyssa. What the hell were you thinking bringing three men into my home?”

My eyes narrow and anger bubbles up inside me, making my chest burn. “In case you forgot, this is my home too. I live here… Unless you want me to leave, which I can happily arrange. I can figure something out, even if it means living under a bridge. Anything is better than the tyrannical rules you have me under.”

Fake. All of this bravado is fake. Truth is, this is his home and I really don’t have a say, but I’ll be damned if I let him talk to me this way.

He takes a step back, surprised by my fire, but quickly recovers. Walking me back to the table, his strong arms land on either side of me, his body caging me in and pressing flat against me.

“Little Red, you aren’t leaving this home. Just to make it clear, if you try to leave, I’ll hunt you down and carry you back here. This is where you belong.” I feel him harden beneath me and a shiver crawls up my spine, remembering how delicious his length felt inside me.

I lick my lips at the memory, his eyes tracking the movement. The one action causing his length to pulse against my soft stomach, making me bite back a groan.

Hudson closes his eyes, letting out a slow exhale before pressing his cheek against mine, his hot breath tickling my ear. “And while you’re here, no other will touch you, or so help me god, I will end them.”

A whimper escapes me, feeling the sudden urge to wrap my legs around him and climb him like a tree, claiming him as mine.

Before I have a chance to act, Hudson pushes off the table, turns his back and storms away.

Away from me.

Away from what could be.