Dark Child: Wild Men, #5

By Jo Raven

Mercury "Merc" Watson
Not your average boy next door
Hot stud, indie music fan, dirty mechanic
With a panty-melting grin
And eyes that hide dark secrets…

I've often seen him on campus as I run from class to class
Girls flock around him all the time
He's too hot for words. Tall, muscular, handsome.
Also distant, arrogant, in a trajectory so far from mine I can't hope to touch him
Maybe it's for the best.
I've sworn off men, you see. For good.
Until one day he asks me out.
Woo baby, right?
Only he thinks I'm my twin sister.
Then he admits that behind the golden façade he hides a dark secret and….
I'm hooked.
I need to know what it is. Solve the riddle.
Without losing my heart to him.
Easier said than done.

* Standalone contemporary romance novel in the Wild Men series *

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Raven
• Release date: Sep 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386586937

Jo Raven

Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MMA fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven original story. Meet Jo Raven online – on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with her on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join her readers group for sneak previews of her covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO). Be the first to get your hands on Jo Raven’s new releases & offers, giveaways, previews, and more by signing up here ▶ http://bit.ly/1CTNTHM

Book preview

Chapter One

Merc

And… check out the bathroom, the guy says, and winks. You’ll love this.

Why are you winking at me? I fold my arms over my chest. Throughout the whole apartment tour, you didn’t wink at me once.

He blinks at me. Uh, what? Look, Merc…

Mercury for you, buddy. I lean sideways until I can see inside the bathroom without actually stepping inside, because this guy—by the name of JC, apparently—is acting weird about it. Then I straighten again, and it’s my turn to blink at him. You serious?

What, man? It’s a bathtub. And it’s awesome. Ever tried tub sex?

I roll my eyes and ignore the question, because yeah… no, I haven’t, and the images that spring to my mind...

"It’s not just a bathtub. It’s a clawfoot tub. And this whole apartment… I glare at him, then across the hallway at the huge living room. Check the rent you quoted to me, man. I bet you made a mistake, and I can’t afford it."

The rent is right, Merc… He starts after me when I stride down the hallway, ready to get out of this high-end apartment before the guy tries to draw me into an agreement with fine print for a place I can’t pay for. Mercury, wait!

I need to find an affordable place. As in cheap. Sleeping in my car ain’t my style.

My car being a second-hand, beaten-up Mazda I spent every penny I had on and every spare minute fixing its misfiring engine.

Maybe I could live in it, anyway, for a while?

Hey. He comes after me as I yank the apartment door open. Just wait a second. Jesus fucking Christ.

"I’m a student, dude. Got a part-time job, and that’s it. No money to spend on… on walnut floors or whatever that wood is, and marble countertops."

The rent, JC says patiently in the face of my little freak out, is low because the apartment belongs to my family. It’s furnished, bills are included in the price. All you need to do is bring your clothes, and you’re set. He chews on the inside of his cheek. You came recommended from my buddy Simon. Not a troublemaker, he said. I just want a roommate I can… He thrusts a hand through his dark hair, and a frustrated look crosses his face. Shit.

You can… what? I prompt, curious despite myself, and roll my stiff shoulders. Apartment-hunting is fucking exhausting. I’ve lost count of the number of places I visited this past week, and I’m still going to classes and working part-time in the afternoons. But he shakes his head and grunts under his breath. The room is yours if you want it, at the price quoted. No hidden clauses, I swear.

I lean against the door frame and cock my head at him. I won’t have to do the dishes and mop the floors?

He chuckles and ducks his head. Nope.

Simon is a customer at the garage I work part-time, and he did say that JC is a good guy.

But I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I mean, look, the guy is tall, almost as tall as me, and obviously a gym rat, all bulging muscles. With his pretty face and the money backing him up, I bet he’s a hit with the chicks. He can’t be short on friends, either, friends with pockets as deep as his.

Rich kids.

And I don’t trust rich kids. I see them walking around at college sometimes, bullying some girl or boy for shits and laughs, and it gets my hackles up. That they feel so entitled. So worthy of the world when the rest of us scrape at the bottom, hoping for a chance to breathe.

So I have a few hang-ups, growing up poor. So sue me.

He lifts his head and looks right back at me. We stare at each other, both of us waiting for something. I’m waiting for him to tell me what the catch is. He’s waiting… fuck knows for what.

Why does he want me as a roommate? Can’t be my sparkling personality. I’m not normally this short and grumpy with people, but I’m tired and suspicious of unexpectedly good deals. They usually come with a fucking nuclear payload that’ll blow in your face.

Dude, he finally says, just take the fucking room.

You know nothing about me.

He rocks back on his heels, jams his hands into his pockets. Is that a yes?

I draw a deep breath. After all, this is a great deal, and I need a place to crash ASAP, before my sister Gigi kicks me out of her apartment, the one she shares with her boyfriend, Jarett. If this rich kid wants me moving in with him for whatever mysterious reason, who am I to kick a gift horse in the mouth?

Can you kick a gift apartment in the mouth?

Sure. I nod, open the door. Yes.

Fingers crossed I haven’t made a big mistake. I hope he won’t turn out to be a douchebag, that he won’t throw me out when he realizes I’m not one of his asshole buddies, or when he finds out about my habit of playing my music loud, or even worse, the nightmares…

Let’s just say I hope he’s a damn heavy sleeper.

I’m kneeling on the carpet and stuffing books into my duffel bag when Gigi unlocks the door and walks into the apartment later that evening. Jarett is right behind her, and he’s whispering something in her ear as I look up, something that makes her blush and giggle prettily.

Hiding a smile, I push my Bose earphones back to hang around my neck and think how happy I am for her. For them both. Jarett’s a great guy, almost worthy of my sister. I mean, nobody’s fucking worthy of her, but Jarett might just prove to be, if he continues loving her the way he seems to be. It’s the way he looks at her, the way he looks after her, like he can’t breathe when she’s not around.

I rub a hand over my chest, not sure what the sting deep inside means. It’s bittersweet, and it confuses the hell out of me.

Hey, little brother. Gigi finally notices me and flashes me a bright smile, her cheeks reddening more. Didn’t see you there. Whatcha doing on the floor?

Just hanging out with the carpet mites. I lift an old and battered copy of The Man in the High Castle and put it inside the duffel, on top of the socks. The mites say hi, by the way.

Jarett snorts and helps Gigi out of her coat, then hangs it beside his on the hook by the door. Gonna nuke some dinner. Unless you wanna order pizza?

I vote for pizza! Gigi blows him a kiss and catches me shaking my head as I zip my duffel closed. What?

Get a room, you two.

"We got an apartment, dumbass. She sticks her tongue out at me, though her gaze keeps returning to Jarett who’s scrolling through his phone contacts for the pizza place. Suck it up, Mercurius."

Grinning, I get to my feet and glance around at the place I’ve called home ever since Mom moved in with her new man, and I had to find my own place to live. It was supposed to be a temporary stay, but I ended up hogging Gigi’s living room for two months.

Yeah, it’s time to go. I haul the duffel onto the couch and drag my suitcase right beside it.

Hey… Gigi tears her gaze off her boyfriend and comes to stand beside me, her eyes wide. You’re moving out? Really?

Yeah. I’ll gather all my stuff by tomorrow and be out of your hair.

Aw, Mercky. You know you can stay with us for as long as you like.

I tug on a strand of her hair that’s come loose from her ponytail, then tuck it behind her ear. Thanks, Ginger. I appreciate it. But it’s time I left you two in your love nest and went my own way.

She sighs. Found a good place?

Looks okay. The guy who owns it seems decent.

One day, she pokes at my chest with her finger, you’ll build your own love nest and stop making fun of me. One day a girl will come along and steal your heart, turn you into a love-struck fool.

Is this a prophecy? I widen my eyes dramatically down at her. It’s always funny to find out how much taller than her I’ve grown over the years. She’s barely up to my chin these days. Otherwise, I doubt that.

So, no girlfriend? Not even a love interest? Come on, Merc, you can tell your sister.

Nobody, I swear to God. I’m celibate as a monk.

Right now, anyway. I’ve been with chicks. I’m not a fucking monk. But it never lasts. I don’t want it to. No girl has ever drawn me enough to wanna stick around.

Well, except for psycho girl. This girl I keep seeing on the college campus, who’s in my Calculus class, the one I can’t stop thinking about… Though nothing has happened with her, and nothing is likely to.

Girl just isn’t interested, Merc. Get a fucking clue.

Merc. She puts a hand on my arm, her expression turning concerned. You’ll be okay? In that new place?

I’m not three. Don’t you worry about me, sis.

You know what I’m talking about.

Yeah, I do. Not something I wanna discuss in front of Jarett. Something I don’t wanna discuss at all, period.

But Gigi isn’t one to easily give up. When will you talk to me about it? Or if not to me, then to a psychologist, someone who can help—

Forget it, Gigi. I grab my duffel, swing it over my shoulder. I’m fine.

Merc…

I ignore her puppy eyes and turn toward Jarett. Gotta go. Thank you both for putting me up for so long.

Not staying for pizza? He frowns at me. Is everything okay?

Yeah. Yeah, I just wanna settle in the new place, get a lay of the land, and talk to my new roommate, make sure he’s not a serial killer or something.

Merc! Gigi looks horrified.

Relax, sprout. Just kidding.

"Did you just call her a sprout?" Jarett shakes his head and snickers.

Sometimes I think he’s still shocked at the level of trust and affection between Tati, our older sister, Gigi and me. His own brother was a selfish prick who only talked to him when he needed something, and otherwise stole his money and beat him up on a regular basis.

He was killed in a gang shoot-out. The brother, I mean. Jarett is still mourning him. I shouldn’t speak bad of the dead, but hey, he was an asshole. The shit he pulled on Jarett…

But what do I know about grief, right? About losing your family? I’ve been so damn lucky to have such a great mom and sisters, even if it turned out that my absent dad had been around all along, and that he’s a total asshole.

Text me when you get there, okay? Gigi follows me through the room and out to the elevator as I carry my luggage there. Let me know everything’s all right?

I was joking about the serial killer bit, you know that, right?

Don’t be a smartass. She slaps my arm. Just do it.

The elevator doors open, and I step inside, put my suitcase down. I will. Stop worrying. Go jump your man’s bones and have fun. You can finally let go and make some noise.

She laughs. Get out.

Going. Night, sis.

The doors close, and I’m off. New place, new roommate. A new chapter of my life. Hopefully it will turn out to be a good one.

‘Still alive,’ I text Gigi later, lying on top of my bed in a huge bedroom with a plush carpet and a big window with blue curtains. My huge-ass speakers are strategically placed by my bed, and I’m all set. ‘I locked my door, just in case.’

I get her reply seconds later. ‘Not funny, Merc. Good night.’

Smiling fondly, I throw the cell phone on the nightstand and roll onto my back, folding my arms behind my head. I think about putting on some music, but I don’t have the energy to find my latest playlist.

Also, I lied about locking my door. I only saw JC in passing when I got inside, but if he’s a murderer, he’s hiding it well.

So when the knock comes on my door, I merely turn my head and call out, Come in.

JC turns the handle and steps inside. All settled in? Need help with anything?

Nah, I’m good. A yawn catches me off-guard. Sorry. Tired. It’s been a long-ass day.

He nods, leans on the doorframe. You said you’re studying and working, too?

That’s right. Part-time in a car workshop.

He arches a brow. A mechanic, huh?

I sit up, suddenly wary all over again. Look, if you’ve changed your mind about having me here—

No. Dude, I haven’t. He grimaces, then scrubs a hand over his face. Look, what I wanted to say earlier, when I showed you the place is that… it’s not easy to find someone you can trust to live with.

You barely know me. How can you trust me? I frown at him.

It’s a gut feeling. Don’t you trust your instincts about people?

I think about psycho girl again and shake my head. Not really.

He looks down at his hands, clenches and unclenches them, turns them palms up as if trying to read something written there, something I can’t see. I just think we’ll be okay living side by side, Mercury Watson. That’s all.

Yeah, well, let’s hope he’s right on that account.

My new roomie and I rarely cross paths in the next few days. He’s already out when I get up—and I’m an early riser—then when I come home after classes and work, ready to faceplant into bed, he’s either out, or in his room, doing some thing or other.

Kind of a mystery. He’s a mystery, choosing me as his roommate, but as long as he keeps his end of the deal—low rent, no problems—then I’ve got nothing to complain about.

Today I’m running late for my afternoon Introduction to Statistics class, so I race through campus, my backpack thumping on my back. Truth is, I don’t even know why I’m taking these classes. What they are for. Haven’t settled on a career yet.

Matt, my brother-in-law and owner of Mancave, the garage I work part-time at, was asking me again yesterday if I decided what I wanna major in.

I have no clue. Maybe engineering?

No big deal, right? Not everyone can know their future from the start, even though my sisters seem to. Still, it fucks with my head. Here I am, sleepwalking through life, obsessing over a girl who’s always hot and cold with me, sleeping in an apartment with a guy I barely know, wondering if I’m a sum of nightmares and song lyrics, a sum of fears and doubts that I never dare show, and…

…come face to face with the object of my obsession.

She’s walking toward me, down the hallway leading to the classrooms, doing something on her phone.

Like always, my heart does a weird backflip at the sight of her, and despite my resolution to stop talking to her, thinking about her, I raise my hand in greeting and yank the headphones off, letting them hang around my neck. The music continues, tinny and distant.

Hey… Sophie. What’s up?

Like an idiot, goddammit. And it gets worse when she glances up and frowns, as if trying to place me, or remember if she’s ever met me before.

But then she says, You’re Marty, right?

Merc. My teeth clench. We’re in Calculus together.

Oh right, right. She waves a hand in the air, like it doesn’t matter—and it obviously doesn’t to her, get a fucking clue, Merc—but all I do is stare at her pretty face, all pale skin and long dark hair, those big hazel eyes, those soft, lush lips.

The fine curves of her body, barely hidden under her light blue dress and gray coat that’s cinched at the waist with a black belt.

She’s so sexy. Like always.

Did you… want something? She glances back at her phone, then back at me, a hint of impatience in her gaze. I’m pretty sure we don’t have Calculus today.

You’re right. We don’t. I lower my hand and give her a half-smile, trying to hide my disappointment.

What did I expect, huh? Looks like it’s an ‘Ignore Merc’ day. That’s most days with her, truth be told, and fuck if it doesn’t twist me up inside.

A girl who barely knows I exist.

A girl who isn’t attracted to me and won’t even talk to me.

On most days. That’s the crux of the problem, isn’t it? Because sometimes she does notice me, and seems glad to see me, and all it does is breathe new life into my dying hope, just when I thought it was over.

Dangerous game. Playing with fire.

She walks by me, gaze glued to the damn phone, and I sigh and tell myself to stop. To fucking stop wanting her. That’s all this is. Lust. It’s time to move on. Plenty of girls around. Matt already told me that’s what I should do. He’s the only person I’ve told about Sophie. It’s been over a year now. The girl doesn’t see me, simple as that.

And if I see her way too much—in my good dreams, in my daytime fantasies—well, tough.

Time to let go.

Chapter Two

Cosima

I’m back in town, boys and girls! Unlocking the door, I step into the apartment and spot my sis curled up on the sofa, alone. Well, just girls, then. Miss me?

Cos! She uncurls faster than the eye can blink and throws herself at me. You made it.

Said so, didn’t I?

She spins me around until we both flop on the sofa, breathless from laughter. Well, you also said it depended on your job.

It did. But see, it worked out! I said I’d be here. Listen to your older sis when she says something.

She lifts a finger. Barely older.

Seven minutes are plenty of time to get wiser than you.

Ah-huh.

I ruffle my twin’s hair, and she ducks away with a giggle. So tell me. How are you?

Okay. She avoids my gaze, and I sigh. She won’t tell me more if I push, I know her well. Same as I don’t talk to her about Steve.

My ex. Nasty piece of work. Out of my life for good now, at least.

Just tell me what you need help with, and I’m set.

She nods, and I let myself relax. At least I can do this for her, and the fact she trusts me enough to ask, to let me, unknots something inside me. I am the older, even by a few minutes, and I’ll take care of her, like I always have.

A strangled little sound from behind me makes me turn, scanning the living room. What was that?

My cat.

You have a cat? Since when?

A kitten. Found her downstairs a few days ago. It’s cold. She was hungry.

Aw. I’ve always loved cats but never got one, since I’m never home anyway. Wherever home is supposed to be. I’m sure one day I’ll end up a crazy cat-lady, but for now I content myself with wearing T-shirts with cats on them, as if promising myself that one day I’ll get the real deal.

Just like with love.

Shall I order some of that weird Lebanese food you like? Soph asks.

Yes, please. I beam at her. "And it’s not weird! It’s kibbe. Just raw minced meat with wheat and spices."

She rolls her eyes at me and gets up to grab her phone. Yeah. That.

I throw a cushion at her. It’s good. You should try it.

I’ll stick to the kebab, thank you very much.

I watch the little shadow of the kitten skitter along the wall, disappearing into the bedroom, and my chest tightens with affection—and worry. When will my sis have time to take care of a kitten?

But hey, I’m here. I’ll take care of the kitty until my sis is on her feet again.

I flip through her fashion mags as she puts in the order and side-eye her when instead of sitting back down, she goes to stand by her bookshelves.

Hey, did something else happen? What’s up?

She winces. Nothing, I swear. Nothing new. Don’t you start worrying any more than you already are about me, Cos.

Sure. Like I can help it. Did you talk to Dad? He said he couldn’t get hold of you.

Another wince. I just… don’t want to talk about anything with him right now.

He loves you, Soph.

And wants to talk about my many mistakes in life. I know.

Dad’s not like that.

She says nothing.

We’ve had this conversation plenty of times before. I know it’s complicated, and I know Dad can get too much sometimes, whenever he remembers us from the artists’ colony where he’s been living these past few years, but he means well—unlike Mom who only cares about her own precious self.

It’s just that… I don’t let him get on my case, but Soph is not that strong. Not anymore. Sometimes it’s all too much for her, and when she gets like this, anything can get her down. Not something I want for my sis.

That’s why I’m here. Who can support her if not her older sibling, right?

And how’s Griffin? I ask brightly, to change the subject.

Finally a smile warms her face, though it’s faint. The treatment seems to be working.

Good. That’s great news, sis.

She nods. Flicks some non-existent dust from the books’ spines. Her lower lip trembles, but that’s the only sign before she bites down on it and straightens her spine.

My little sis. Fragile, beautiful, sassy, intelligent, sad—and a stubborn fighter. My heart beats in time to hers. We’re more alike than I allow myself to believe, and yet so different.

She’s kick-ass. And I’ll be by her side for as long as she needs me.

After all, it’s not like I even have anything to go back to. She thinks she made mistakes? Ha. Let’s not talk about mine.

Besides, that’s the last thing I want to discuss with her now. I’m not here to throw a pity party. This is about her, not me.

What better way to take a break from myself?

It’s a bright winter day. Drawing my black coat closed, I blow into my hands as I walk briskly through the college campus. I have the class schedule in my hand, and I’m trying to find the right auditorium, when I see him.

The blond cutie with the impressive biceps, the dreamy blue eyes and the ever-present ear-phones hanging around his neck.

We’ve crossed paths quite a few times over the past year, and yeah, he’s been in my thoughts once or twice.

Hey, I’m human, and he’s so handsome he makes my ovaries hurt. What can you do?

But I don’t really live here, I’m only filling in for my sister, and obviously he doesn’t even know she exists. I’d smile and ask how he’s been every time I saw him in one of my sister’s classes, but he never seemed interested in talking, and I don’t even know his name.

And of course he’s a total chick-magnet. Maybe it’s the fact he’s always surrounded by women that makes it hard to talk. No time for chitchat with inconsequential people like me.

Like now, when he’s in the middle of a group of girls, saying something that has them swooning and giggling.

Ugh. I mean, even if I found the guts to approach and chat him up, what chance do I stand when he’s constantly mobbed by the prettiest girls on campus?

There’s something about his smile… it’s playful and kind of twisted, but also sweet. I can imagine the softness of his full lips on my skin, the scrape of his golden stubble on my chin, on my boobs, between my legs, the roughness of his tongue—

Whoa. Cool down, wildcat.

Regretfully I walk by, turning one last time to ogle his handsome self—and okay, his butt—and go on my merry way. Things to do, classes to attend. I’m on a mission. Can’t get distracted by hotties, even if they’re totally my type:

Beautiful, muscular, and unavailable.

I assume he’s unavailable. Come on, with all those girls at his feet? If he sleeps with one of them every night of the month, he’ll be busy full-time.

Not that I’m bitter or anything.

And he’s not my only type, I think as I stop to check the map again. The other one is hot, available and an asshole. That’s my usual type, in fact, just like Steve who literally kicked me out of his apartment a few months ago.

It’s probably a blessing that this one hasn’t even noticed me. I’m not even a blip on his radar.

My phone dings with a text, and I whip it out, grateful for a distraction, expecting a message from my sis.

Instead, I find a message from Mom. It reads, ‘What did your sister want this time?’

Rolling my eyes, I put away the phone without answering. I mean, does that text warrant a reply? Not in my book. Not from Mom who’s always been more interested in her current boyfriend and her appearance, her hair and her nails and her girlfriends and going out—rather than us.

Unfair? Nah, I don’t think so. Am I a bad daughter? Maybe. I don’t know. I’m just too pissed off to be civil right now. I’ll answer her later, when I cool down.

Cool cat. Good cat. That’s me. I snicker as I locate the elusive classroom and enter right in the middle of class.

Oops.

Well, those notes won’t take themselves. I slip inside and sit at the back, pull out notebook and pen and get to work. When the list is passed around, I sign and then ask the guy sitting in front of me about anything else the professor said before I came in.

Mission: on track for success.

Halfway through the day, my phone chimes once more with a text. Again I expect a text from my sister, and again I get one from someone else. But I grin when I see the number because this time it’s from my bestie, Lin.

She really is the best, putting me up when I didn’t know where to crash. With disastrous after disastrous relationship—if you can call them that, those train wrecks you can’t look away from—and all the time I wasted on stupid guys who only wanted to screw me and dump me, it’s a wonder she hasn’t left me, too.

‘Can I call you?’ Lin writes, and before I can blink, she calls.

Hey. I juggle my phone, then jam it between my ear and my shoulder as I gather my notes and stuff them into my bag. Why ask if you’re gonna call me anyway?

You took too long to reply. I could feel my hair going gray and my skin sagging while waiting.

Psh. I barely had time to finish reading your text.

You’re a slow reader. Work on them skillz, slowpoke. Where are ya?

I duck my head and hurry out of the classroom. Last class of the day, thank God. What’s up?

Nothing much. Place is dead without you. She clucks her tongue. Miss you, woman.

I groan, though I’m smiling. I’ve only been gone two days. What will you do in a week?

Get drunk off my ass and cry over you? I dunno. You tell me. She snaps her chewing gum. You staying that long?

Yeah, probably. Longer than planned.

So the rumor’s true? You quit your job, packed your things and hit the road?

It’s not a roadtrip. Also, that job was temporary, and you know it.

She tsks. Because you won’t take a permanent one, or follow your dreams.

Reality is different from dreams, Lin. You know it.

What I know is that you’d do anything for your sis, wouldn’t you?

You know that, too.

"I know you."

Yeah, well. There you go.

It’s not healthy. Running off any time your sister says she needs you like a spoiled little princess.

Oh come on, I mutter. She isn’t being a whiny brat. She really needs me.

She’s my other half, my other side. I’m her dark shadow, her hollow reflection. My life revolves around hers, just as hers is linked with mine. I can’t bear to see her so broken.

Would she take care of you if you needed her? Wait, I got one better: Did she take care of you last time you were down? Or the one before?

I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.

A sigh drifts over the line. Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget about me pining over your sexy booty, all right, girlfriend? Call me. Text me. Sext me. Whatever.

I’ll totally sext you, and you won’t know what hit you.

I’ll hold you to that.

Snickering madly, I hang up and stow my phone away as I rush through the vast campus. Okay. I’ve got this. Time to text my sis, see if she’s doing all right, and then get on my next task.

The day isn’t done yet. Lots more to do… Like work.