Page 145 of Mercy & Her Devils

For a long moment, it’s like the two are having a conversation without speaking.

Thomas, however, shakes his head.

Disappointment crashes through me.

“I need to be certain that Dad remains true to his word.” Thomas straightens his shoulders. “I failed my sister by not finding a way to rescue her from that terrible house, before it was too late. I won’t make the same mistake twice. All I want now is to ensure that she can remain happy with you and get the pack that she wants…chooses…deserves. We spent years dreaming about the perfect pack, and I can see that now she has it.”

He means one that has both Gabriel and equality, although he’s having to veil it.

My eyes prick with tears.

He can’t join us yet, but I’m going to find a way that he gets the pack that he wants and chooses as well.

Because Thomas is awesome and he deserves to be happy and loved as well.

Yet right now, he’s an Alpha but he’s just as controlled as any Omega.

Unexpectedly, two phones begin to ring at once: Raylan and Fletcher’s.

It’s time to reveal the magician’s trick…

The two men look startled.

“Answer,” Gabriel says.

His eyes are coldly victorious.

I glow with pride.

When Raylan struggles to reach into his pocket, however, Antonio grabs hold of him to stop him.

“Hey,” Raylan struggles, “what are you playing at?”

“This isn’t a game.” Gabriel slips his hand into his own coat pocket and pulls out his phone. He checks a new text that’s come through, smiling widely, before putting it away again. “But we have won.”

Kai turns to Lark. “She’s safe, beloved.”

Antonio grins. “I promised that she would be.”

Because this text is what we’ve been waiting on: The news that the real mission has been a success.

The rescue mission by the main resistance for Millie and all the other Omegas who were trapped at the Institute.

Yet our set up to lure both Mayor and Sheriff away to the mountains, which was coordinated to happen at exactly the same time, was the key to the whole mission.

It kept their attention on the wrong thing.

It drew them and their men away, leaving the actual target vulnerable.

Now, Millie is safe.

“Yes!” I wrap my arms around Lark.

He nuzzles my neck, overwhelmed.

He’s shaking. “She’s coming home.”

Thomas watches us, bewildered. “What did you do?”

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