Page 126 of Mercy & Her Devils

Lark is trying hard to look unmoved by Gabriel’s speech, but the tips of his ears are tinged pink. “If this surprise is a bouquet of freshly picked wild flowers, then you’ve misjudged me.”

Gabriel’s lips twitch. “I have a fair idea where you’d shove them. It’s far better than that. I’ve been working for a long time on freeing all the Omegas from the Institute. It’s meant to be a gesture of defiance that will break global news. I know that it won’t change policy or shut it down forever. But it will cause major disruption, humiliation to our enemies, and send shock waves through society. Anyone who’s even thought about the system being wrong or joining the Omega resistance will be given courage to do it. Slowly, we’re winning this.”

I bounce up and down. “That’s bold.”

Gabriel’s expression tightens. “It’s why it’s taken so long to get to this stage. A lot of resistance packs are involved in this: Knight, Marshal, and Champion. But exact details are still being worked out. They didn’t want to move yet because although we have the floor plans from all the levels now from Toni, he also blew his cover. My surprise, however, is that I’m trying to convince my superiors to move up the date. I’m going to the monitoring room, which is my secret—”

“Lair?” Gabriel perks up.

“Strategy room,” Gabriel coolly replies. “A study but with better security. As I said earlier, this mission wasn’t an actual secret. I only wanted to tell you when I could present it as a courting gift because I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Well, present her with possibly a ribbon in her hair…”

Oh, fuck.

Does he mean…?”

Lark pales. “M-m-millie? You’re doing all this to rescue my d-daughter as soon as possible?”

“Of course,” Gabriel replies, gravely. “You’re pack. So, Millie’s pack. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Lark’s eyes glisten with tears, as he throws himself at Gabriel, who stiffens with shock like he’s not expecting it.

Lark slings his arms about Gabriel, as if he never wants to let go. Even though he’s shaking like he’s on the verge of tears, he’s purring too.

It’s the first time that he’s purred in Gabriel’s arms.

Gabriel looks overwhelmed.

I rush over to the two men because I can tell that Gabriel, even though he may be in control in a battle, needs help with a complex Omega like Lark.

I press myself against Lark’s back, before wrapping my arms around both men.

Finally, Gabriel relaxes.

He tentatively cards his fingers through Lark’s hair.

“Thank you,” Lark whispers, over and over. “Thank you, thank you…”

“You never have to thank me for protecting pack,” Gabriel says far softer than I’ve heard him talk to Antonio or Kai. “You’ll never have to thank me for caring about or…loving you.”

When Lark raises his head, his cheeks are wet.

He kisses Gabriel, gentle and chaste.

It’s as much a thank you as his words.

But it feels like he’s accepting his promise of care and protection.

That he’s accepting his love.

My eyes sting with happy tears. I nuzzle against Lark’s lean shoulder.

Gabriel rubs his hands up my back. “How about we do go back to the house since everything’s out in the open? We can plan together as a pack what our next move is. I realize now that having two Omegas on our side is going to be a major strength. We need to get the top members of the resistance fully invested in this, however, and their agreement to move it forward.”

I bite my lip. “What are they like?”

“Committed, inspirational, and my fucking rock.” To my surprise, however, Gabriel’s expression becomes tense. “But a storm is set to batter these mountains within the next couple of days, which also sets the clock ticking. Storms up here are fierce. We only have a small window of opportunity to pull this off and we’re still being hunted.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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