No Mercy
Authors: Shannon Dermott
Tags: #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy, #Paranormal & Urban, #Teen & Young Adult, #Romance, #Paranormal, #Two Hours or More (65-100 Pages), #Literature & Fiction, #Paranormal & Fantasy, #Juvenile Fiction
No Mercy
Shannon Dermott
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. The scanning, uploading and distribution of the book via the Internet or via any other means without permission is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support for the author’s rights is appreciated. For information address Wicked Truth Publishing.
First Edition
Copyright © 2012 Shannon Dermott
All rights reserved.
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DEDICATION
To my fans
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my beta readers,
Paige Rice and Kris Kendell, thanks for all the input and time you gave. It was way more than I could have ever asked for.
Karla Calzada and Alana Rock, thanks for everything; your input, supreme effort and swift time. You both are invaluable commodities.
Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Although this novella is set before Beg for Mercy, for optimal enjoyment, it is best to read this novella after Waiting for Mercy. Characters from both books may be mentioned in this story in small and large ways without much background information on who they are. In writing this, I have assumed you already know. In addition, some details about some of the characters that aren’t revealed until after you’ve read both books maybe spoiler for the two previous books when reading this short story. Thanks again and enjoy.
Please note this novella is for mature audiences. It may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17. There maybe use of excessive language and sexual situations.
Chapter One
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Flynn
Sitting in my car, I watched as the dark haired beauty passed by. She was chattering away with that red haired friend of hers who was always attached to her at the hip. Walking by, her infectious smile showed because she wasn’t looking at me. If she had been, her face would have shown nothing short of contempt. I didn’t understand my fascination with the girl. There were certainly easier targets. Even her friend didn’t glower every time she saw me.
“I don’t see what you guys see in that Mercy girl,” I vaguely heard spoken to my right. It hadn’t been said very loud, so I ignored that comment. I continued to watch that girl tuck a loose hair behind her ear hoping she wouldn’t turn my way, notice my stare and scowl.
The bright side was it was spring and the girls were coming out of their winter shells. And she was no exception. Hidden in baggy clothing, I could still make out the shape of her…
“So?” the girl sitting in the passenger seat spoke, reminding me why I was still in the parking lot at school.
Turning, I viewed the blond bombshell. A junior and a year ahead of me didn’t stop her in the least from making a request to “talk” to me after school. Her pink pouty mouth looked moist and kissable. Her fair skin and colorful cheerleading uniform were a contrast against the dark interior of my car. For a second while her mouth moved I heard nothing. Instead wondered just what it would be like to kiss those lips.
“Flynn,” she said sharply, sounding a bit irritated.
“Yeah,” I said, a pause and then silence quickly followed. I went ahead and added, “Sure,” because the look she had suggested she wanted an answer. I wasn’t certain what I’d agreed to. But the way she’d questioned me with just my name, I went for broke. The one word seemed simple enough and damn the consequences. I wasn’t going to ask her to explain again.
She narrowed her eyes at me. The frown suggested she was onto my bullshit. She knew I hadn’t been paying attention, I would bet on it. Waiting a single moment for her to call me on it, her face morphed into a pleasant expression. Maybe a hint of wickedness showed there too. “Your place or mine?” she asked in challenge.
Damn, she moved fast. I knew that look in her eye. I could feel her emotions roll off of her. Lust. What the hell had she been saying to me? Never one to back down on a challenge, I thought about her question,
your place or mine
. Conclusion, I didn’t relish either location. I wasn’t in the habit of taking girls back to my house if there were other options. And lately, I’d had too many close calls at girls’ houses. Dads and brothers were always constant threats, popping home at the wrong time and such.
Still thinking, I looked up into the waiting pool of students on the front lawn. That girl I’d been eyeing was nowhere to be seen. Turning the key, I pushed the thoughts of her to the back of my mind. Now I would focus on Amanda. She was the key to getting my life back on track and too bad about the timing. Only this morning, I’d finally broken up with Shelli. Putting the car in gear, I couldn’t help but think of Shelli’s tear strewn face when I had told her it was over.
Turning on the radio, I’d hoped to block my thoughts on that subject too. I could have engaged Amanda in conversation but she might bring up something she’d already said that I’d missed. Or maybe she’d back down on what I knew was her challenge and I needed what she was offering. Shelli and I hadn’t done much lately because I knew I had to break things off. And the thought of what I had to do, put me off on dealing with any other girl in the meanwhile.
Amanda continued the silence while relaxed in her seat. Godsmack was blaring loudly just the way I liked it and she didn’t complain. Score one for me. I had to admit that I might just like this girl on principle alone. She seemed uncomplicated and not needy. But I’d thought that before and had been totally wrong.
Despite the music, nothing could keep my mind quiet. The look on Shelli’s face, her heartbreak, her begging, then her curses, haunted me. Being with her hadn’t been the complete enjoyment it should have been. I should have listened to my gut and left her alone.
The ride was brief and all too soon we pulled into Dewey Park. The place was empty, so at least something good was going my way today. Putting the car in park, I cut the engine but left the juice going so that the hard core guitar solo filled the airspace between us. I didn’t bother looking at her. Having no idea what her plan was, I left it up to her to make the first move.
It didn’t take long. I should have been a betting man when it came to her. Movement caught the corner of my eye. I was sure the noise was her undoing her seat belt. Continuing to watch the water ripple, I waited. Next thing I knew, she leaned towards me with her head tilted slightly. I finally looked at her. She wasn’t looking at me though. Rather, she was pulling her long blond hair up and knotting it, I thought, at the base of her neck. Now wasn’t that interesting. If what I assumed was going to happen next was correct, she was certainly efficient.
And I was. Amanda was nothing short of proficient and practiced. The rush of life force I’d received from her made my head tip back digging into the headrest. I hadn’t realized just how low on power reserve I was until then. No words were really exchanged except for a few mumbled curses that I couldn’t hold back. When the deed was done, she smoothed her hair and clothes and gave me a smile. Score another one for me, the girl was one for small talk.
Pulling in front of her house, not wanting to be rude, I killed the engine. I wasn’t the bastard Shelli claimed me to be. What I did was for her. Too bad, I couldn’t tell her so. Then maybe she wouldn’t harbor heartache and hatred for me and maybe she might even be a little grateful. Hell, who was I kidding? I shouldn’t have gotten in so deep with her.
“So,” Amanda said. I had to wonder if that was her favorite word. But I kept that question to myself. “We’re exclusive right?” she asked.
Oh hell, so that is what I’d agreed to earlier. Just breaking up with one girl this morning, I wasn’t really ready to jump into another relationship. How could I back down now? I’d be a bastard for what just happened or I really would be a bastard on Monday when Shelli found out. “Yeah,” I muttered, thinking there could be worse things than dating her or the evil eye from Shelli and her friends. They’d get over it.
“Fine,” she said, her eyes cast low and sexy. “I’ll call you later.” She leaned over and kissed me quickly on the lips and was out of the car before I could say another word. She sauntered to her front door and I appreciated the view. It certainly was going to get more interesting soon enough.
Amanda was a junior, but she wouldn’t be the only upper classman girl I’d messed around with at school. Some girls just made it their mission to “teach me the ropes.” And yeah, I’d let them teach me too.
Her movements were somehow graceful yet there was a bounce in her step. It must be all that cheering she did on the sidelines showing through. Her skirt flitted in the breeze drawing my eyes down to her legs. And all I wanted was to get my hands on them. Yes, maybe she was just what the doctor ordered. I waited to fire up the car until she got inside. I didn’t want her to think I couldn’t wait to leave even if it was the truth. However, I noted that she didn’t bother to turn around and wave goodbye. Excellent. Somehow, I doubted when the time came she would be heartbroken by a breakup.
When I drove away, I felt like what happened between us was not much different than the kinds of business mergers my dad did for work. No, merger wasn’t it either. It was more like a friendly yet hostile takeover with me the one being bought out. Amanda had been far too confident and certain of me. Maybe I should be scared. Nah, that would be the day.
Nearly home, I noticed a pickup truck tailing me. Its bumper getting awfully close. Pulling into my driveway, I expected the car to drive on by. When it didn’t, I silently cursed. Recognition of the car came a little too late. I’d simply dismissed it earlier. But once it pulled in after me, there was no mistaking who it was.