Page 141 of Mercy & Her Devils

I wish that I could tell him about my new pack and how happy I now am.

I wish that I could smooth away the pain and coldness that has hardened his expression even from the last time that I saw him.

He’s hurting, and it’s agonizing to see it.

But I only have one chance at getting this to work.

“Peacock,” I whisper.

When I pull back, Thomas’ eyes are wide, as our gazes meet.

I can’t risk saying more.

I hope that he understands.

Peacock could mean that I’m actually safe just like the stuffie that he gave me.

It could mean that he should trust me.

But there’s only one person who Thomas has always called peacock: Gabriel.

His best friend.

And I know for certain that he trusts Gabriel.

After a long moment, Thomas gives a slow nod.

He looks cautious, but for the first time, his expression becomes filled with cautious hope.

He turns to stand at Kai’s back. His muscles are coiled tight, and he’s on high alert.

Yet it no longer feels like Thomas is ready to fight Kai but rather, is on our side. He’s watching to see what happens next and taking a stand against our Dad without making it obvious that he is.

Thomas has always been smart.

I glimpse a sudden movement behind Raylan like shifting shadows.

My heart is in my mouth.

Kai hums. “See, the thing is that I never take the easy way out of things. I prefer to raise hell. Did you want to ask me about Lucifer?”

“Be quiet. I’m in charge here,” Fletcher says but he doesn’t sound that certain. “I’m the one with the gun. I’ll ask you about Lucifer when—”

A gun raises to rest on the side of Fletcher’s temple with a finger on the trigger.

“Too late; I’m already here.” Gabriel presses closer behind Fletcher. His eyes are hard. “Drop your gun and kick it into the creek.”

“W-what?” Raylan stumbles back a step.

At the same moment, Antonio appears like a silver haired avenging angel.

He’s grinning in a dangerous way that sends shivers down my spine. From behind, he holds a dagger to Raylan’s throat.

Raylan pales and looks like he’s about to piss himself.

Fascinated, I study Dad.

I’ve never seen him look like that.

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