Dark Child (Wild Men 5)

“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?”