One Insatiable(37)

“Would you mind stepping in here for a second?” He’s talking to me, and I’m pretty sure I can guess what he wants.

Glancing at Mercy, I find it odd that she has a confused expression on her face.

“Give me a sec.” I squeeze her hand before I follow Andy into his office.

“Shut the door,” he says in a cold voice. I comply, and he immediately launches into the speech. “I told you what would happen. You were given direct instructions about Mercy.”

“Andy, man, I didn’t mean to ignore you, but—”

“Fuck that, you’re fired, Koa. Clean out your locker and don’t come back.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re firing me because I’m dating Mercy?”

“Looks like more than dating to me.”

“It is, but that’s none of your damn business.”

“Right. You are no longer my damn business or my damn employee. You can pick up your final check this afternoon. Now get the hell out.”

For a second, I hesitate, trying to think of something to say. Finally, I just shake my head and grab the doorknob. “This is f*cked up, Andy.”

“Leave your key with Jim.”

I’m out the door, and I pull it closed a little too hard. The framed certificates on the walls and motivational posters rattle.

Mercy’s back at my side, her dark brows clutched over her pretty blue eyes. “What was that about?”

Wrapping my arm over her shoulder, I pull her to me and kiss her head. “Honestly, I thought you’d know.”

She pushes back to study my face. “Know what?”

Digging in my pocket I pull out the small silver key and slide it across the counter to Jim. “Andy just fired me.”

“Bro! What the hell?”

“What!” Mercy’s voice is a whisper. “On what grounds? I’m going to talk to him right now!”

She starts for his office, but I catch her around the waist. “Hang on. We need to talk anyway.”

“If he fires you, I quit! I’m not working for a place that fires good people for no reason!”

“Come with me, spitfire.” I’ve got her again, and I’m leading her to the front door.

“Dude!” Jim calls behind me. “I’ll see you tonight at Aunt D’s! We’ll talk about it then.”

I lift my chin at him before pushing through the glass door. We walk down the sidewalk a bit, where we have some privacy.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I touch the line between Mercy’s slim brows. “It’s actually for the best—”

“What reason did he give?”

I blink at her a few moments then just say it. “When I first started here, he told me to stay away from you. He said you were off limits.”

“What!” Her mouth drops open.

“It was about the time you told me the same thing,” I grin, touching her chin. “I thought you’d put him up to it.”

“I never!” She spins on her heel, ready to charge back into the gym. In one quick move, I’ve got her around the waist again, carrying her back to where we were. “He has no right!” she cries.

“Listen to me,” I cut her off. “I told you it’s for the best.”

She stops struggling and looks up at me. “Why? Do you have another job?”

“No.” With one finger, I slide a loose strand of hair off her forehead. I can’t stop touching her. She’s so pretty. “I’ve been thinking about this… thing we’ve got here.” I motion between us. “Mercy, I don’t have anything to offer you right now. No name, no house, no pack… I don’t even have a car—”

Her blue eyes go round. “I don’t care about that!”

“Well, I do. I’m not going to take you out of here until I can take care of you.”

“What are you trying to say?” That confidence I just saw in her slips, and I hate what I’m about to say.

“I’m going on to California. Alone.”

“What? No you’re not. I’m going with you!”

“You’re going to stay here where you have a place to live and food.”

Fire flashes in her eyes, and she pushes hard against my chest. “NO! You are NOT leaving me behind!”

Catching her wrists, I hold her against my chest. “It’s the right thing to do,” I say firmly.

She struggles several moments trying to fight me, until she finally gives up. Her face drops to my chest, and her body jerks with an inhale. She’s crying, and the noise of her quiet sobs almost rips me apart. Swallowing the thickness in my throat, I try to make her see reason.

“I can’t take you from all you have here to nothing with me,” I say softly. “I can’t let you live on the streets or in the woods while I try to find work. You deserve better than that.”

“If you leave, I’ll never see you again.” Her voice breaks along with my resolve.

I loosen my hold on her wrists, catching her chin so I can see those beautiful eyes. They’re flooded with tears.

“Hey…” I smooth the wetness off her cheeks with my thumbs, fighting the pain twisting my insides. God dammit, I can’t fight Mercy. “You think I can live without my soul? As soon as I find a job and a place for us, I’ll send for you. I promise.”