Merciless Punks: Enemies to Lovers romance (Dolls and douchebags Book 3)

Do you know how hard it is to say no to someone like Nicola?

No?

Well, let me tell you… You can’t.

It’s like saying no to a Nun asking you to donate money to save the children. You’re a freaking monster if you say no to the pleading eyes that hold some judgment if you slip anything less into her palm that isn’t above a hundred bucks. Nicola is worse in person with getting what she wants, puppy eyes and pouting. She wasn’t even in front of me as she demanded I sneak out of the compound and have a girls day with her. Just the sound of her pleading, she had me climbing a high fence before I was even off the phone with her.

The walls were closing in on me anyways so leaving was a no-brainer. I just had to sneak out without anyone seeing me and meet Nicola on the left side of the compound. All I needed was to steal one of Dalton’s T-shirts and climb the fence. Easy but the barbed wire was not a pleasant experience. I used Dalton’s shirt as a barrier and made it to the other side with only a few scrapes. The moment I hopped into Nicola’s little, blue bug convertible, I was screaming at her to get us the hell out of there.

So, here we are. At the mall of all places where normal people hang out without a care in the world. Classical music, the mutter of excited shoppers, and once in a while, the screaming of an unhappy child that echoes from one side of the mall to the other. My body shudders each time it bounces off the walls, not being able to tell where the screams are coming from. Thank God I have Nicola on my side because each time she has a Tourettes episode, it eases something inside of me. Making me feel lighter and almost normal, a girls day of shopping with my friend. She laughs and skips, literally skips into stores, and doesn’t give a damn about the stares. It makes me want to scream like a pterodactyl dinosaur at them just so they stop looking at her like there’s something wrong with her.

She’s my perfect friend and I’ll cut a bitch who dares to hurt her innocent glow.

“So Evan and I did the dirty. I mean, there wasn’t any…” She makes a gesture of her index finger going through her other finger which is shaped like a circle. “But I saw his penis which made me drool a bit but he didn’t seem to mind. Apparently, spitting on a cock— Cock! is a turn-on. Who knew?” She shrugs her tiny shoulders but keeps making the crude gesture as if she can’t stop.

People stare at Nicola each time she has a tick or yells something and I give them the middle finger as we walk past the idiots who have nothing better to do but judge others.

“Was this at the party last Saturday?” I ask absentmindedly, shivering as I cross my arms over my breasts even though it’s a pleasant, cool relief from the heat outside since we walked inside.

I feel like I have a target on the center of my back that says look at me and someone is moving in on me. I could just be paranoid, causing shivers to glide down my back with phantom hands. So much has happened in the last few days that inside I feel like a hollow shell. I should be rejoicing that Payne is finally dead, leaving me free to start living my life but I’m not. Something is missing. Maybe it’s the many nights I stayed awake whilst images of Payne’s death played out in my head. I was the one who always did the killing in them, making him suffer. His death was too simple, he got off easy instead of the drawn out pain I’ve been through for years.

It’s like the universe is giving me the middle finger and having a laugh at my expense. There’s still the fear of what now? Where do I go from here? I could just run, go somewhere that has a low population and no one would question where I’m from or why I’m there. Only problem with that is the guys. They wouldn’t let me go, and the thing is… I don’t see my life without them in it. They have caused me pain and humiliation but at the same time, they made me feel safe. Cared for under their cruel gazes. I think actions speak louder than words and to earn trust… They have to earn mine and I have to show that all I want from them is to be treated equally, and maybe one day down the road… loved without asking for anything in return.

“Was it obvious what we did? Nicky was not happy with me and I swear if lasers could shoot out of his eyes, Evan would have been on the receiving end.” Nicola picks up a pink top, holds it up to me, and shakes her head while tossing it back on the clothing rack.

“You’re fine. It looked like you were just kissing,” I lie through my teeth, pretending to be occupied by some clothes on the next rack.

Her lipstick was smeared that night, and her hair a wild mess but I probably didn’t look any better. My stomach heats and my thighs clench at the memory of Dalton pounding into me as I slipped Tey’s beautiful cock into my mouth. After all the shit I’ve seen over the years, you would not think watching Nicky torturing the meathead jock would make me moan louder just so I could see him stab the fucker again.

“Yeah riiight. It looked like you were just kissing too but for the love of God, don’t share the details. That’s my brother.” She makes a face like she ate something bad and shudders.

She shudders again and jerks a couple of items off the hangers, throwing them on the ground. After she’s done, she sighs and bends down to pick them up while I help her.

“As long as Evan treats you right and it feels good… just go with those feelings.” That’s my advice and I’m sticking with it.

You don’t always get to experience a first kiss, a first love, the first time two bodies come together as if made for each other. Sometimes that all gets taken from you.

“I forget that we’ve only been friends for a while, it feels like years. I’m not throwing away something that is good in my life.” She doesn’t look me in the eye as she turns and walks out of the store.

I follow until I’m caught up with her and stop her by the elbow outside a window full of mannequins with only underwear on.

“I’ll do everything I can to help you, even making sure your pain in my ass brother doesn’t interfere.” I hold my pinky up towards her, and she flashes me a grin before hooking hers through mine.

“Thanks, Tillie. He’s different around you, you know? Not as intense as our father.” She instantly frowns and shakes her head like she’s trying to get rid of a memory. “Let’s go in here! It’s just what we need!” She grabs my wrist, and drags me inside the underwear shop with an excited squeal, quickly letting go to start loading her arms with lingerie.

Goosebumps rise on my arms when I feel it. I swear someone is drilling a hole into the back of my head. Trying not to be obvious, I glance over my shoulder and look around to see if anyone is staring at me. I only find a group of ignorant guys shoving each other as they stare once they walk by but they’re not who I’m looking for. This feeling is intense, hot on my body like they’re taking their time watching my every move.

“Tillie! We both need something sexy, it boosts confidence and it will drive the guys crazy. I wonder what Evan would like? I don’t see any Star Wars underwear but they have Wonder Woman!” Nicola races towards the back of the store as I trail behind, feeling out of my element.

I never got to pick out my underwear in a place like this. It usually was a sexy shop with costumes and the skimpiest lingerie for working the poles at night. It was only to be worn so greens would fall on the stage under the loud music and when my legs were wrapped around the cold, slippery steel of the pole stripping. The rest of my underwear was Goodwill, the thought alone makes me shudder. I can’t help skimming my fingers across the soft textures, the ones that feel like air between my fingers. A woman wears panties like this, a matching set to feel like she can take on the world.

I blow out a breath, feeling my chest tighten, and finally catch up with Nicola. She shoves something in my arms before I can blink and pushes me towards the dressing rooms.

I’m not sure why but everything lately to me feels unreal, like I’m constantly walking in a daze. Honestly, I don’t know why I picked the last door on the end, maybe because I feel safer all the way back where hiding is easier? One second I’m standing in front of a full-length mirror fully dressed and the next I’m slipping on the smooth material of lingerie. Everything I do feels almost robotic, I’m not even sure what’s happening to me. Have I finally broken down? Am I damaged beyond repair? Has it come to this?

I usually avoid looking in a mirror, I mean really looking at my reflection as if you’re staring at someone else, examining every single imperfection right down to your very soul. I can recognize the scars because it’s become part of me that tells a story of what I’ve been through. The tattoos speak of control over myself, hiding the pain from the outside world. But for the life of me, I don’t recognize my face. It’s not the features I’ve always despised inheriting, it was thinking Payne was part of me. I have Diana’s eyes, right down to how expressive they are, but who else do I see on my face if not him? Where do my full lips come from? The shape of my chin?

Fiddling with the bow that slips through my fingers like water, I try not to think of what happened at Logan’s house. Seeing the rage in Diana’s eyes, it was downright hateful. She probably never wants to see me again. I’m not even going to start thinking of what Franco did, I just can’t right now. It’s all too much. I can’t really blame Diana if she forbids me from seeing her but I have something inside of me eating away. I need to know who my father is. It’s almost noticeable now that Payne isn’t shown in my features, he never was a father figure, and seeing how nothing on my face looks like him makes it seem as if I’ve never really looked at myself.

“Hey, mama.” That raspy, smooth voice makes it feel like hot, scalding water is sliding down my spine, enough to make me shiver from the heat but wanting to burn my flesh away just to feel warm.

I lift my head and my gaze connects with his dark ones that are reminiscent of a black abyss. You can’t look away even if you tried, you want to tip forward and see where it takes you.

“Dom.” I pry my eyes away with a great deal of difficulty, not in the least bit ashamed of how much skin I’m showing in front of him.

His gaze feels familiar on my back, hot and intense. I’m not surprised by this at all. I should have figured it out.

“You’ve been following me?” I question, not looking up as I continue playing with the silk bow.

My breath leaves me in a sharp gasp as rough, big hands grasp my shoulders and spin me around before walking me backwards until my back collides with the mirror. The cold glass on my back makes me shiver but my front is warm, really warm from Dom crowding my space with his whole, tall, muscled body.

“It’s like you’re asking me to throw you over my shoulder and keep you for myself.” His minty breath washes over my face as he comes closer until the tip of his nose is barely skimming mine. “You’re lucky it’s only me stalking you. You’ve been very naughty, mama. Why did you sneak out?” he asks, bringing his big hand up to cup my cheek like I’m made of fragile glass.

He’s staring at me like I am unbreakable, strong with those dark eyes of his but we both know that just the slightest pressure of his hand could break me into pieces. I bet he could end everything without breaking a sweat and I wonder how many people he’s killed with his scarred hands. Yeah, I noticed that right away at the rave. They’re the hands of a fighter, cut open many times and healed but only to reopen again. It’s such a weird feeling, he’s purposely holding back and being gentle with me. Some people can spend forever together and still feel like they are just finding out new things about their loved one but looking into Dom’s eyes doesn’t feel that way. I’ve only met him once and I felt safe, comfortable in my own skin. This is our second time meeting but it feels like we’ve been doing this for centuries. Familiar and easy, like gravity pulling you tight together because you’re meant to be near each other.

“I needed to get out. I couldn’t breathe.” The words fall out of my mouth truthfully and easily.

“I should kill those punks, but I have a feeling you wouldn’t be too pleased with me if I did.” His thumb glides from the corner of my bottom lip slowly to the other side, making my mouth part at the feeling washing over me.

Rough and warm.

“I–I don’t want that. It’s not about them. You should stay away from me. Everyone who comes near me ends up getting hurt.” I swallow thickly as I look up at him from under my lashes, wanting to take back my words and knowing I can’t because it’s true.

Everyone I care about gets hurt because of me.

Dom leans his upper body away, trapping my lower half to the mirror with his as he stares down at me with an angry expression. So passionate with his dark eyes, narrow, thick brows, and thick lips that tighten with his emotions. He moves his rock-hard thigh between my legs and takes my face between both of his palms so I’m fully looking up at him.

“If I ever hear those words out of this perfect mouth again, I’ll fuck you until the only word you know is my name. I’ll drag out so many orgasms from you and keep going, even when you’re begging me to stop. I’d do it right now, but it seems luck is on your side today. I imagine they’ll be here any minute so me being right here in front of you should tell you that I’m not going anywhere. A King never leaves his Queen behind.”

I don’t grasp what he’s saying about someone coming soon because all my attention is on the promise he makes that heats every part of my body like it’s on fire. My pussy clenches, empty and dripping wet with my new panties sticking to my lower lips. His harsh, thick lips curl into a smirk as he stares into my eyes as if he knows how my body is reacting to him.

I don’t even have time to argue or sass back to prove he’s wrong even though he’s not. He pushes me further into the mirror, and my body arches as his thigh rises higher between my legs until he’s rubbing right against my clit. My body shudders, hips rolling to seek more pleasure as I rub my hands up and down his muscular chest. I imagine I’m soaking his pants, that he can feel my juices smearing all over him. I don’t have time to feel embarrassed about it though, I just keep rocking my hips against his muscular thighs and bite back a whimper as he rubs perfectly in the right spot on my clit. Every sound that escapes my mouth is loud and echoes in the dressing room. My body slows slightly, only realizing where the hell I am but Dom puts a stop to that right away. His calloused hand grabs the back of my neck and tilts my head by placing his thumb on my jaw to angle how he wants me. The first brush of his lips is soft, warm, and light like he’s teasing me but cherishing me at the same time. I moan without caring who hears, parting my mouth to push my lips harder against his until he fucking destroys me.

Devours me.

Like I’m his last meal and he plans on savoring me.

He groans deep in his throat, tightening his fingers around the back of my neck, and slides his tongue along my bottom lip. I grip at his taped waist, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt as I ride his thigh faster and tilt my head back more as I try to get impossibly closer to him.

He rips his mouth away, breathing hard as he places his other hand on the mirror like he needs to support himself and rests his forehead against mine. His long fingers massage the back of my neck, tightening and loosening as if he’s trying to hold himself back. I like that, he needs to contain his need around me and let me ride out my pleasure.

“That’s it, mama. Ride my thigh. Push that gorgeous pussy harder against me and soak my jeans until I have a wet spot on my thigh from all those juices dripping out just for me. Come for Papi.” He holds my gaze, tightening his grip on my neck when my eyes start to close as pleasure washes over me.

I don’t hold back my moans, not caring if anyone hears. My breath comes out in hard pants as I stare at him, the way my body shakes and clenches tells me he’s going to have a very obvious wet spot on his thigh. I feel like liquid, boneless, and finally feel like my chest isn’t as tight as before.

“There she is, my Queen.” He places a tender kiss on my forehead, staying for a second longer before reluctantly stepping away. “I have to go. Be a good girl, mama. I’ll be watching.” My stalker winks and turns towards the open door but before he disappears I blurt the words out of my mouth.

“Why do you call me mama?”

He glances over his shoulder and smiles devilishly at me like he knows something I don’t.

“What else would I call the future mother of my children?” he says before leaving while I stand there like a fish out of water.

Did that just happen? He came in like a devil in disguise, all quiet and mysterious, gave me pleasure without asking anything in return and kissed me like I’m his. And he left just as he came, like a dream… as if he was never really here. The throbbing between my legs and the panties I now have to buy because of the very noticeable wet spot in the front are the only evidence he was here.

Oh shit.

I clasp back against the mirror as my legs shake like jello and stare at nothing. With a groan, I lean over to grab my jeans off the chair in the corner and turn towards the mirror again.

It’s the outline of my ass print on the glass that has the first giggle coming out of my mouth. Then it’s my flush cheeks and the bird’s nest in my hair all while standing in my underwear in the dressing room that makes me smile at my reflection. I just came in a very public place that has walls that bounce off sounds, making everything louder.

Blowing out an exhausted but oddly relaxed breath, I start to put my jeans on and that’s how I’m caught. With my pants around my ankles and bent over, I look up to find a very pissed off Logan in the doorway as he pants for breath like he just ran a marathon. I really should learn how to lock a door.

“You have five seconds to get your ass dressed or I’m carrying you out of here just as you are,” he grinds out between his teeth and roams his gaze down my body, pausing at the space between my thighs.

His eyes narrow into slits and I swear his nostrils flare like an angry bull. Yup, I’m caught red-handed, there’s absolutely no way of hiding what went on in here. Now I understand what Dom meant. He ratted me out.

He has some balls, I’ll give him that. Last time we all met, Logan and Dom looked like they wanted to go at each other’s throats. This must be his way of taunting his enemy.

“Stop staring at me like that and don’t fucking tell me what to do,” I reply back just as angrily, pulling my pants up the rest of the way and shoving my shirt over my head in jerky movements.

“I’ll stare if I want to. You’re mine, baby girl. My property and nobody touches what’s mine without my fucking permission. And I’ll tell you what to do— Where are you going?!” He’s shouting now as I shove past him and practically stomp out of the dressing room with him hot on my heels.

“Away from you!” I shout right back at him, meeting eyes with Nicola who’s standing next to her brother near the store entrance with a look of pity on her face.

Great. Just great. The whole gang’s here.

I quicken my steps, beyond pissed off. I’m so furious at all of them I can’t even look into their eyes. I’m trying to make my great escape without having to deal with them when the saleslady stops right in front of me with arms full of shopping bags.

“Excuse me, miss. Don’t forget your purchases.” She quickly starts shoving the bags after bags in my hands that hold expensive lingerie judging by the price tags I’ve seen.

“What? No. I didn’t buy these.” I try handing them back but she steps away with a tight smile and nervously glances over my shoulder before looking away.

“They are already paid for. Have a nice day,” she mutters fast and dodges around me like I’m going to bite her or something.

I take a peek in the bags and realize it’s everything I was admiring while walking around the store. Dom. His stalking skills are kind of impressive but I really didn’t need all of this even though it’s sweet of him to do it in a weird, but extremely hot way.

With a huff, I try to stride past Nicky without looking at him but I look out of the corner of my eye because I can’t help myself. He’s already staring at me, raising one single brow, and glances from my bags then back to my eyes with a knowing look. He doesn’t look happy as he drags Nicola by her arm out of the store ahead of Logan and I without a word to me.

“Are those from him ?” Logan growls behind me. I can almost hear his teeth gashing together.

He has no right to be angry about this. I didn’t ask Dom to buy me anything. I didn’t ask for anything that’s been happening to me since I was born. I really want to turn around and yell at him, punch him. Let him feel my pain by giving him some. But I don’t. After what happened in his house, it’s hard to even look at him. I don’t want to see the disgust on his handsome face or loathing. I just can’t handle it, not when I’m this weak.

I don’t bother replying. I just quicken my pace which, of course, his long legs match until he’s walking right next to me with his hands in his pants pockets. He’s quiet, only exhaling a long sigh every few minutes like he wants to say something but doesn’t. I can hear Nicky speaking quietly to Nicola as he bends his head closer to hers and opens the door for her that leads outside.

“It was reckless and stupid. You both could have been hurt. Do you have any idea what it would do to me if you or her got hurt? Stop taking these chances, Nicola, especially right now,” he whispers to her, talking in a soothing tone.

My heart does a small skip in my chest and my throat closes at how gentle he’s being with her. Nicky is always so reserved, his features are void of emotions but you can tell he really does care for his sister and he added me to that too.

The California sun is blinding when I step out after them and squint against the light while shielding my face with my hand. I almost run back inside when I see the entrance lined up with bikers, their motorcycles familiar and loudly deafening. That sound rumbles into my chest and scares me for a split second until my gaze lands on Dalton sitting on his bike in the front of the line of bikers. For one second, I thought it was Payne. I thought he was here for me but he’s dead.

He’s dead. He can’t hurt you anymore.

“Little Bitch! You. Are. In. Trouble.” For some reason, I can hear every word Dalton says over the rumble of engines and oh man he’s pissed. His violet eyes are like a storm rolling in, not the usually light purple I’ve come to love gazing into.

Even though I’ve been at the club for a couple of days, I haven’t met anyone since I was confined to Dalton’s room. I was okay with that but those walls seemed to get smaller and smaller each day. I won’t be locked up again, I can’t. I don’t know what that will do to my mental health. Maybe the next time will send me over the edge but I’m not willing to test it. He’ll have to understand. I wasn’t running from them. I just needed a little normal in my life. To pretend everything is okay.

“I got her, Dalt. We’ll meet you back at your club, brother. Nicky, let Tey know after he’s done with his errand that it’s time we all had a chat.” Logan shoots off commands like a pissed off drill sergeant, crowding against my back and nudging me forward without waiting for a reply from the guys.

With his hand on the small of my back, Logan guides me past the line of bikers that rumble out of the parking lot with a hand signal from Dalton. I pause in front of Nicola with an eye roll and ignore her brother as he glares at me.

“You mind holding on to these for me?” I gesture to the bags hanging off my arms and hold out my hands.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. They will be in safe hands— Hey! Nicolas!” Nicola shouts at her brother who grabs the bags out of my hands with another glare thrown my way and walks off without saying anything.

Rude.

Nicola shakes her head and starts yelling in Japanese as she runs to catch up with him. They climb into his Nissan and peel out of the parking lot.

Logan’s hand slips down my spine, right above my ass as he guides me to keep moving and off to the right on the sidewalk until a gleaming, pitch-black crotch rocket comes into view.

I admittedly stop in front of his bike and cross my arms with a stubborn jerk of my chin. Although I’d like nothing better than to hop on this badass crotch rocket and take off, zooming past traffic at dangerous levels, that’s not happening because the owner of the bike is a jackass.

“I’m not getting on that with you,” I say as I glare up at him, feeling my stomach drop as his honey colored eyes meet mine with that same challenging glare.

“Yes, you are.” He towers over me, blocking out the sunlight in my eyes and letting me see the dark challenge in his beautiful eyes.

I tilt my head towards the sky, exhaling a long breath in defeat. He’d probably throw me over the seat and strap me down, not caring one bit if anyone sees him manhandling me.

One of these days… we are going to come to a head and combust without warning, I just hope it doesn’t destroy us in the end.

“Fine,” I mutter and shove him aside to swing my leg over, scooting back to make room for him in front.

“You didn’t have a choice anyways.” He just has to get the last word in.

I’m going to murder him but I might use that big dick energy he has one last time as a hooray for old-time sakes.