Page 140 of Mercy & Her Devils

Lark gets caught up into the hug as well.

Thomas releases his pheromones in a way that’s achingly familiar. It calms me like it’s always done.

Even Lark’s breathing steadies.

I delight in the way that Thomas is holding me, no longer having to stop himself from touching me in case he left his scent behind like he always had to when I was bonded to Fletcher.

His scent of sugar cookie martini washes over me.

All of a sudden, Thomas twists back to Kai, shoving Lark and me behind him, protectively.

Then he growls, deep and long.

Thomas’ cold eyes flash. “I’m going to kill you.”

Shit.

I should have known that my brother would act as the white knight.

He doesn’t know that the only thing he could save me from with Kai would be haggis or soreness from the size of his knot.

“Is threatening to kill me a trend that I somehow missed?” Kai sighs. “How about if I take your brave lad here as a hostage?”

He’s just playing the role, right?

“Then my son is on his own for his stupidity.” Raylan’s voice bites over the battering of the storm. “I didn’t raise a useless Alpha who can’t take care of himself.”

You didn’t raise one at all…

It’s a struggle not to say it.

I narrow my eyes at Raylan.

I knew that he blamed Thomas and me for his mate’s death but I still thought that he’d care more for his Alpha son’s life than that.

Thomas has always been hardworking and loyal to the Mayor’s office.

“And I could shoot you,” Fletcher says with more loyalty to Thomas than Dad showed.

“Well, look at this, a stalemate,” Kai says.

“Hardly,” Raylan sneers. “I have a dozen men occupying your house and out front right now. You’re trapped on this narrow ledge, alone with me.” I try not to react, but that’s it. What we needed to know. We have him, and he doesn’t know that he’s the one being caught. “One wrong step, and you’ll tumble into that creek. It doesn’t matter how strong a swimmer you are, in this storm, you’d drown. Face it, we’ve won. So, surrender, and I won’t send you to the Discipline Rooms, before the interrogation begins. Soon, you’ll be begging to tell us where Lucifer is. Scottish filth like you don’t deserve that concession, but it’s cold, and I’m wet. Take the easy route, and I’ll go easy on you.”

The real plan is fitting into place.

Kai, Lark, and I are the bait.

Yet everything that happens on the Devil Estate today is a sleight of hand to distract Fletcher and Raylan from the true mission.

Luckily, they appear so focused on what they think is their moment of triumph over the Devils that they’re not seeing the big picture.

I struggle not to react but I must have stiffened because Thomas catches my gaze, looking at me in concern.

“You’re safe now,” Thomas murmurs. “I won’t allow anyone to hurt you anymore. I’m sorry that I was never able to get you out like I always promised. I tried so fucking hard. When I found out what had—”

I press my finger to his lips, before I lean closer so that only he can hear.

I wish that I could talk more and share what’s happened over the time that we’ve been apart.

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