Thank you for your continued support. This is the last chapter. As always, thank you for taking this journey with me.
I look forward to many more interactions with you...very soon.
Stay awesome and stay safe!
Standard disclaimer.
One week later...
Mercedes shut the front door of her house and sagged against it.
Today had been one hell of a day...her brother's funeral, but she got through it.
After Mason's funeral, then the gathering at her parents' house afterwards, she just wanted to sink to the floor and sleep for days.
There had been too many people there.
Most of whom hadn't even known her brother, or cared about him. But they'd come, because her parents were wealthy and well known in Miami.
She'd been staying at her parents' house since then.
Sam had continued to call her and she'd talked to him a few times, but she couldn't bear to see him. Or to be alone with him.
He made her happy and was so damn understanding about everything and she didn't want that right now.
She didn't have a right to be in love and happy, when Mason was dead.
At least Benito Garcia was in prison, as were the gang members who had targeted her, on his behalf.
The cops didn't think they'd be a threat to her anymore, because, she wasn't going to have to testify against them.
They'd turned on Benito and had cut a deal, so her testimony wasn't necessary.
Part of that deal had meant admitting guilt, to coming after her. It was the only way the state's attorney would even consider a deal, for less jail time.
Considering they had one of the guys on video at that gas station, drawing his weapon on her, taking a deal had been the smart move.
And Benito had a hell of a lot more problems than her at the moment.
She wasn't even a blip on his radar, now that news of his little black book had gotten out. Apparently many of his competitors were feeling very homicidal over it.
If he was lucky, he'd survive his imprisonment and stay in as long as he could, because if he got out, he wouldn't last long on the outside.
But something told her, he wouldn't be untouchable in jail. If someone wanted him dead bad enough, it would happen.
And if something happened to him, she sure wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Especially since, she had some homicidal thoughts herself, considering Mason had been killed, because of him.
She still hadn't receive a straight answer, on who shot her brother, but he'd been gunned down in the crossfire between Benito and the Miami PD at the marina.
One of Benito's men, had apparently seen one of the SWAT members and things had gone crazy in seconds.
As she pushed away from her slumped position at the door, the bell rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
Peering through the peephole, she saw two men in black suits and someone in between them.
He was wearing a hoodie and Mercedes' heart stopped for a moment. She jerked the door open, trying to catch her breath.
Before she could move or speak, the two men in suits barreled past her, dragging her with them, until they shut the door.
But she didn't even mind being manhandled. Not when she was staring at Mason.
Unless he was a ghost and she'd officially lost her mind... her brother was standing right in front of her.
Reaching out, she shoved the hoodie back and timidly touched his face.
Mason's smile was tentative, as he stepped forward.
"I'm so sorry, sis," he whispered.
Unable to stop herself, Mercedes threw her arms around Mason's neck and squeezed hard.
Her throat was too tight to speak and if this was all a dream, she didn't want to wake up.
When she eventually tried to talk, nothing came out, except for tears, which streamed down her cheeks.
She wasn't sure how much time passed, but eventually Mason took her arms and dis-entangled himself from her.
"I don't have much time..." he started.
"We need to talk and you need to listen, ma'am," one of the men in suits, who she'd forgotten was even there, said softly.
Wiping at the tears that just wouldn't seem to stop, Mercedes turned and nodded.
"Okay," she said in a raspy voice. Grabbing Mason's hand, she motioned to the living room and pulled him with her.
She refused to let go of his hand. Se was afraid that if she did, he'd disappear.
The two men entered the living room first and one of them drew her blinds shut.
With wobbly legs, she made her way to the long couch and sat, pulling her brother with her.
"I thought you were dead. I went to your funeral..." Her voice cracked and she had to swallow hard before continuing. "Does anyone else know about this? Do our brothers know? They were heartbroken at your..."
Clearing his throat, the tall, dark haired man, with flawless ebony skin, sat at the love-seat across the coffee table from them.
"Ma'am, your brother has been placed in WITSEC."
"The Witness Security Program?" She blinked, looking from Mason, to who she assumed, must be a US Marshall.
"You've heard of us?"
Snorting, she nodded.
"I watch television."
There was a new show about the WITSEC program she was addicted to. She wasn't sure how much of it was real and how much was bogus, but she'd at least heard of them.
"Your brother is in the program and one of his only stipulations..." The man sighed, as if it pained him to speak, "...was that, you know he wasn't dead. He said he wouldn't join otherwise. Now, you get two minutes alone, but we're still listening, so Mason, you can't tell her where you'll be living or what your new name is."
The man stood, nodding at the other man hovering by the window and they both exited into her foyer, leaving brother and sister alone.
'Two minutes.' Mercedes felt as if her heart would jump right out of her chest.
Her brother was still alive!
"Why are you going into the program? Why did you fake your own death?"
Mason scrubbed a hand over his face.
A face that looked surprisingly fresh and full of hope.
He didn't have that gray pallor, she'd come to associate with his drug problems.
"That wasn't my idea. Eventually it'll come out that I'm still alive, but for now, they want everyone to think I'm dead. The state's attorney is building a case against Benito and his entire organization, so until a trial date is set, I'll be in protection. In case anything else falls through, I'm going to be a star witness. He kidnapped and attempted to kill me. That alone would be enough to put me in the program, but he likes to talk and...well...he's got a big mouth and he assumed I'd be dead soon, so he didn't mind talking business in front of me. Arrogant bastard," he muttered, shaking his head.
"So how long will you be gone?" she asked, unable to hide the hope in her voice, that it wouldn't be very long.
Mason shook his head, as he threaded his fingers through hers, holding her hands tight.
"I have no idea, but don't get your hopes up. This might be a permanent thing."
As her throat tightened and she felt tears start to well up, he shook his head and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I love you more than anyone, my dear sister. For the first time in my life, I feel like I can give something back. Make a difference. I can't tell you where I'm going or anything about my new life, but they've already lined up a counseling program for me, to get a handle on all my addictions. Knowing you showed up at Benito's house because of me..."
He shook his head.
"If I could go back in time, I'd redo a lot of things, but dragging you down with me, was a shitty thing to do. And I'm not just talking about this mess with Benito. You're the best sister anyone could have ever asked for. I don't know why you stuck with me so long, but...I'm sorry for all the grief I caused you and the danger I put you in."
His voice shook, as he pulled back from the embrace.
Mercedes squeezed his hands in her own.
"Mason, you don't have to apologize."
He grunted.
"Yeah, I do. I got a raw deal with our parents. Hell, we both did. But I'm taking control of my life and it feels good. You're the only person who ever believed in me, who ever...really loved me, I think. I love you so much and I know how much you've sacrificed over the years looking out for me. Please know that I understand and appreciate all you've done...more than you'll ever know. I'm going to miss you, but I'm glad I'm getting a fresh start."
"I'm going to miss you so much." She could barely squeeze the words out.
Mason drew her into another tight embrace.
She savored the feel of her brother's arms around her, knowing it would be the last hug they shared, for a very long time.
As they pulled back, he paused for a moment, as if trying to decide what to say. Finally he spoke.
"The Evans brothers know about me going into the program."
"What?" If she hadn't been sitting, she was sure her knees would have given out.
Mason nodded.
"I just thought you should know. Storm is part of the select few, who know I didn't die last weekend and...as of yesterday, Sam and Stevie knows too. They've both got classified clearances, but I think the real reason they know, is because of Storm's insistence. He told me that you and Sam...uh...well...anyway, your boyfriend knows too."
"He's not my boyfriend." The words were automatic. Hell, she didn't know what she and Sam were now.
Mason snorted softly and stood, pulling her up with him.
"I've got to go. Just know that I love you and I'm finally...content. If they let me, I'll write letters to you, but I don't think that's a possibility. You can't tell anyone else about this, not even our parents."
Mercedes been keeping secrets from the time she was fourteen. Keeping this from her parents wouldn't be a problem.
Especially, considering, the way they'd failed to help her brother or her, when they'd needed it most.
She nodded and gave Mason one more hug. Then, he was gone. Out of her house, as if he'd never been there.
After watching her brother leave in an SUV with tinted windows, Mercedes shut her front door with shaking hands, unsure how to feel.
She was thrilled her brother wasn't dead, but couldn't believe he was being placed in the WITSEC program.
Or that Sam knew her brother was alive.
Mason said he'd only found out yesterday and she'd been ignoring his calls the past few days.
She thought she'd seen him at the funeral today, but couldn't be sure. There had been so many people.
She'd been there only long enough to be polite, then slipped out.
Sighing, she toed off her shoes and unzipped her simple black dress, as she headed for her bedroom.
She didn't bother hanging it up, just let it pool in a messy lump near the foot of her bed, before climbing under the covers.
Her eyes felt heavy and gritty.
The past week she'd barely slept.
She'd cried more than she'd imagined possible and now, it finally felt as if an entire week of needed sleep, was crashing in on her.
Even though it was daylight, she was unable to stay awake any longer.
Pulling the covers up to her neck, she let the blessed peacefulness of sleep overtake her.
Sam's heart beat erratically, as he eased open the backdoor to Mercedes' house.
Her place was eerily silent, but her car was outside.
He'd rung her doorbell and called her cell, but she hadn't responded. He'd wanted to talk to her at the funeral earlier, but she'd been surrounded by her family and hell, she hadn't been returning his calls.
So, confronting her at Mason's funeral would have been a mistake.
But he couldn't take it anymore.
He wouldn't let her erect walls between them. Not after what they'd been through together.
More than anything, he was worried about her.
Especially, when he'd heard the faint jingle of her cell phone inside, a few minutes ago.
But the house was just too damn quiet, for her to be in there and be simply ignoring him.
Withdrawing his SIG, he crept silently through her dark kitchen.
A single light above the sink area, was the only source of light.
As he continued sweeping the house, his alarm grew.
Once he'd cleared the living room and guest bathroom, he headed down her hallway.
He froze, when he heard a squeaking sound coming from her bedroom.
Increasing his pace, he hurried down the rest of the hallway and stopped only when he reached the partially open door.
Easing it open with his foot, he took a step inside.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Mercedes stood near her bathroom door, wearing a bra and panties only and carrying a glass of water.
When she saw him, she let out an ear piercing scream.
Sam immediately tucked his weapon into the back of his pants and held up his hands.
"It's just me!"
Her hand flew to her chest and she slammed the glass down on the antique desk next to the door.
"What the hell are you doing here? Are you trying to scare me to death?"
"I'm sorry. I called and rang the doorbell and..."
Now, he felt like a fucking stalker.
After everything she'd been through, he'd just been worried. Not that she'd be suicidal or anything, but shit, he'd been concerned.
"I'm sorry, Mercedes."
She dropped her hand and took a tentative step forward.
The light from the bathroom shone around her, illuminating her short, curvy frame.
"How'd you get in?"
"I was worried about you so, I...uh...picked the lock to your backdoor." He swallowed hard, fighting back the guilt inside him.
Instead of reaming him out, she just stared at him for a long moment.
"Mason came by today."
'She knew. Thank God.' "I just found out last night from Storm. I tried calling, but..." She hadn't answered, something they both already knew. "How are you?" he asked.
It'd been hell to watch her grieve at the funeral and not be able to tell her Mason was alive.
Shaking her head, Mercedes walked to the end of her bed and sank down on the edge of the mattress.
"I have no idea. I..." Her voice cracked and she wrapped her arms around herself in a protective gesture.
'Screw it.' Sam crossed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms.
To his relief, she didn't pull away. She molded to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and plastering herself against his body.
"I'm sorry I've been so distant this week. I didn't know how to talk to you," she whispered against his neck.
The feel of her hot breath sent a shiver through him. Wanting to feel all of her against him, he picked her up and stretched her out on the bed.
After quickly divesting his weapon and putting it on the nightstand and taking off his shoes, he slid in next to her and held her tight.
"I'm not walking away from you, Mercy. I'm glad your brother is alive, but even if he'd died, this thing between us...I don't want anyone else and I'm tired of fighting it. You're stubborn...and sexy...and you're it for me," he murmured against the top of her head.
He felt her smile against his chest.
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, really."
Her smile grew wider.
"Good. I know I've been a jerk the last week, but...I just didn't know how to deal with anything. I felt guilty that I was alive and Mason wasn't, like it was somehow my fault. That maybe, if I'd been at the marina, things would have ended differently. I was hurting and took all my anger out on you. I didn't want to bring you down with me."
"I want for better or worse from you, Mercy. And you can bring me down all you want."
He slid a hand down her back, letting it rest on her generous butt.
She shuddered against him, arching her back into his chest, as she lifted her head.
With the dim light from the bathroom illuminating the room, it was hard to see much, but her eyes were filled with heat.
"For better or worse, huh?" she whispered, her voice unsure.
He nodded.
"This week without you has been hell. I love you, Mercy and I won't let you walk away from me."
"Won't?" She lifted a dark eyebrow, as she shifted her body, so that she fully straddled him.
Looking down at him, she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra.
As it slid down her arms, displaying her breasts, Sam's brain short circuited for a moment. Eventually he found his voice.
"You're mine," he growled, unable to keep the hunger out of his tone.
Mercedes leaned down, until their noses almost touched.
"I love you too, Sam."
His mouth was on hers, before she could say another word.
In a few quick moves, he had her pinned beneath him, as he took her mouth in a frenzied kiss.
Heat built inside him like a raging inferno, as she grappled with his shirt and he struggled to get his pants off.
After being deprived of her sweet body for a week, he knew this first time between them, would be fast and hard.
But he'd take it slow the second time around. And there would definitely be a second time tonight. Maybe even a third.
Mercedes had gotten under his skin in the best way and just the thought of being inside her again, was making him a little bit crazy.
Even though he knew this was the first night of many. Because, he'd been serious about for better or worse.
He wanted the whole package from her.
Marriage, a house, kids, everything. The woman was absolute grace under fire and her loyalty to her brother was simply amazing.
He knew she'd make a perfect life partner.
And that's what he wanted...Mercedes as his partner for life...through the good and the bad times.
That's a wrap on another story. I hope it was worth your time.
A big THANK YOU to all of you.
Stay safe!