Acts of Mercy: A Stepbrother Romance (Men of WRATH Book 5)
Acts of Mercy: Part 2 – Chapter 13

The past week has been rough. Hudson has been avoiding me at every turn, and I’ve tried to act as unaffected as possible—all while slowly dying inside.

Needless to say, sleep has been non-existent and I’m subsiding on caffeine and carbs. I’m in the kitchen taking a sip of some much needed coffee when I hear his voice.

“Alyssa,” he tosses out in passing, not even giving me a glance.

I look toward Rosa who is busy whipping up an omelet, and she shrugs.

Well, this is awkward. There’s no denying that we aren’t on the best of terms, and I for one am not about to grovel.

If he wants to act like a prick, then so will I.

“Hudson,” I return in as much of an aloof tone as I can manage.

He pours himself a cup of coffee and lowers himself onto the barstool next to mine, both of us sitting at the massive kitchen island facing Rosa who now has her back to us.

“Be ready in an hour. You’ll be heading over to William’s house today. Bella wants you fitted for bridesmaid dresses.” He takes a generous sip of his coffee, all while still avoiding my gaze.

“Excuse me?” I sputter, nearly knocking over the mug in front of me. “I hardly know Bella. Why am I her bridesmaid?” My mind recalls the dinner we had this week.

It was at her house with the whole team present. But to be honest, I barely remember anything. It was all a blur as I tried not to act awkwardly around Hudson. He must have felt it too because we left just as soon as dinner was through, not giving us a chance to talk to anyone there.

Hudson slowly turns to me, his eyes finally taking me in and scorching a path down my body. “Bella is William’s fiancé and Aiden’s little girl. They’re getting married soon and seeing as how you’re now living here and an active member of the women of WRATH, it’s your duty. All the founders and their women…” He pauses, seeming unsure of what to say. “The women who are close to them will be in the wedding party. It just makes sense, from a security standpoint.”

I smile. He wants me close. Even if it’s just under the guise of security. “Fine. Only one question…”

His eyes meet mine and it takes everything in me not to burst into flames from the intensity of his stare. “What?”

“Who will be my groomsman? Will I at least have a decent looking date?” I internally snicker, knowing that the idea of other men near me sets this man off.

As sure as jam on a biscuit, his nostrils flare. He slowly brings his mug down to the counter, his body leaning into mine as his lips brush against the shell of my ear. “I will be your date.” That last word coming out clipped before he inhales deeply. “Once again, I’ll make it clear. While you are under this roof, there will be no other.”

My mouth parts and I gasp, his proximity and scent making me dizzy with lust.

I’m about to question him, but before I can get a word in he’s pushing off of me, running from me like he always does, leaving me feeling dirty for wanting what I do.

My heart clenches and my stomach turns into a ball of lead. Why does he run from me? I know he wants me just as much as I want him. I can feel it the way he looks at me, such raw emotion warring behind those grey eyes.

“Your brother is struggling with something, but I’m sure he’ll come around.” Rosa’s gentle voice brings me back down to reality.

My brother. That’s why he runs. That’s why we could never be.

I run a hand over my cream dress, mentally noting that this must be Cassie’s favorite color because most of what she brought over is in this beautiful shade of ivory.

The ribbed material of the dress comes up to a high-collar with long-sleeves, fitting into the virginal nun motif Hudson must have requested. But unlucky for him, Cassie actually has taste, and the dress is anything but boring.

The soft material hugs every curve of my body, right down to the midi length, cutting off at my calves.

Rounding the corner, I check myself in the hallway mirror, adding some lip gloss before popping the tube into my cream-colored Lady Dior.

A soft groan sounds off behind me—Hudson. The sound alone makes my insides turn to mush.

Knowing I have an audience, I bump out my hip as I pivot on my five-inch heels…in cream, of course.

“Just under an hour.” I smirk, taking in his expression. He looks as if he hasn’t seen a woman in ages, his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth.

His brows knit together as his gaze travels up my body, landing on my breasts, and then slowly continuing up to my eyes. “What?”

“You asked me to be ready in an hour, and I did it in forty-nine. I deserve a gold star or something. Especially with you throwing this on me last minute.”

He chuckles, breaking the look of awe on his face. “You definitely deserve something, alright.” He mumbles under his breath. “Come on. This way.”

Hudson places his hand on my lower back, and my whole body lights up as he ushers us toward another hallway. One I’ve never been down. “What’s this way?”

“The garage.”

So that’s where he keeps his toys. My detail has driven me every time I’ve had to leave, so I’ve never had the chance to see it myself. “Is that where Big Red will sleep when I get her back?”

He eyes me cautiously before answering. “Yes. Have you called the repair shop to see when she’ll be ready?”

There’s something in his tone, like he’s holding something back. I narrow my eyes at him. “Yes. I called them yesterday and asked why it was taking so long, but the guy assured me it was normal and that he would have her back to me within the next couple of days.”

He smirks, annoying the hell out of me with that panty melting dimple of his. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“Not any more than you do, baby.” He places his hand on my lower back once more, steering me into the garage.

His touch paired with that term of endearment has me threatening to float away. Who is this man and what has he done with asshole Hudson?

I’m so lost in his touch that I barely register we’re in what looks like the inside of a showroom.

Rows of gorgeous cars, both classic and new, line the space. My god. I don’t even want to think about how much all of this is worth.

Hudson pulls a fob from a cabinet and a black Range Rover comes to life in the far end. “You coming?” He shoots me that devilish smirk as he walks toward today’s vehicle of choice.

I slowly trail behind him, probably leaving a path of drool in my wake. My mouth parts as I inspect the bright green Lotus Elise to my left, “I knew you liked cars, but I didn’t know you were obsessed.”

I round the SUV, Hudson now following close behind me, before he opens the passenger door. I’m about to step in when I realize it will be a bit of a trick in this tight dress. Laughing nervously, I turn around, ready to shimmy up the skirt so I can finally get into his car. Beautiful as it may be, it sure isn’t practical.

Hudson, however, has other plans. His big hands land on either side of my waist, digging into my flesh before his strong arms lift me up into the seat, as if I weighed nothing.

I’m still gasping for air when he’s reaching across me, pulling the seat belt taut against my chest.

His hand trails up from the clip, all the way up to my chest where he pauses, our eyes locked on to one another.

“When I replace something I love, Little Red, I cherish it. I protect it. It becomes part of who I am, and I could never get enough. Would some call that obsessed? Maybe. Do I give a damn? No.”

Everything stills, as if we were suspended in this one moment. My breath has gone and left me, unable to respond to what felt like a confession. One that went above and beyond his love of cars.

Before I can delve into what just happened, Hudson clears his throat, looking away and breaking our intense stare-off.

“Hudson,” I call out, wanting to bring him back to me. Needing to look at me like I’m the only thing in his world.

“You’re going to be late.” He closes the door and walks toward the driver’s seat, my eyes trailing him like a hawk. The once playful Hudson is gone, his features having gone all hard and cold.

And that’s pretty much how it goes for the remainder of our drive. Not a word from the now mute Hudson.

That is, up until we pull into Bella and William’s driveway.

“I’ll pick you up in a couple of hours.” He stares straight ahead, avoiding me like the mere sight of me might make him burst into flames.

Sighing, I grab my purse and push the door open. “Don’t worry. I’ll call an Uber or something. Wouldn’t want to inconvenience you like I just did.”

My feet are dangling out of the car, but my ass is still planted in the seat when his hand reaches out, grabbing onto my wrist. “One, you will not be taking an Uber. And two, you are not or will ever be an inconvenience.”

My eyes seer into his, narrowing into tiny slits as I jostle my wrist free. “It sure felt that way when you wouldn’t even spare me a glance.”

His eyes rove over me, leaving a tingling trail of heat wherever they go. “Is that what it’ll take, Alyssa? Me looking at you for you to behave?”

I rear my head back as if slapped. “Behave? What am I, a little girl?”

“You are a little girl. You’re seventeen.” He growls, his eyes looking at me with a mixture of frustration and something else. “You misbehaved when you lied to me. Never telling me your age.” His eyes shoot to the front of the house while running a hand through his hair. “Jesus, Alyssa. You let me fuck you, all while knowing you were underage. All while knowing I was your brother.”

I grimace, hating having the facts thrown in my face. Still, I stand my ground. Puffing out my chest, I stare at him dead on. “Step brother. Not blood related. And seventeen is the age of consent in Texas, so technically that wasn’t illegal.”

He visibly clenches his jaw, the muscles working under his skin. “Not. The. Point.”

There’s a knock on the hood making my head jerks forward. Cassie, a beautiful brunette with full lips and big green eyes stares daggers into Hudson. “Everything okay here?”

Hudson grumbles something under his breath before addressing the beauty before us. “Cassie. Everything is good. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” His eyes flick back to me, a silent warning dancing behind them. “This conversation isn’t over, Little Red.”

“Sure, it is.” I give him a soft smile, unable to muster anything more. This little fight was eye opening. He does want me, but he’ll never let anything come of it. I’m seventeen and his sister, blood or not, he sees me as untouchable.

I slide from the passenger seat and walk toward Cassie, who looks at me with something akin to pity. Once I reach her she pulls me into an embrace, whispering, “Don’t worry. It gets better with these men.”

I’m not sure what she’s talking about, but I accept the comfort, realizing I needed a friend more than ever now. Pulling away, I answer, “I should’ve done this at the dinner, but thank you. For the dress. For the hug. Hell, for stopping Hudson in his tracks just now.”

She gives me a smile while Hudson pulls away. “Come with me. I have just the thing to bring a smile to that pretty face.”