Page 45 of Mercy & Her Devils

“Now, that’s more likely.”

“So, hold off on the killing…?” I say, hopefully.

I can’t bear the thought of this strange, volatile, but kind Beta being the one behind bars. He has too much life in him.

It’d be like the sun permanently setting.

Antonio sighs like I’m denying him pudding. “For now.”

Lark twists and catches my eye. “Oh, I don’t care that he has a Chief Alpha. We’re finding a way to keep him.”

Antonio slinks to his feet, resting his head and forearm on the bars.

He looks like a silver haired demon sent to seduce us. “Who’s flirting now?”

Lark turns back to join Antonio at the bars. “You’ll find out about my daughter then…? She’s three years old and called Millie. I think that she was taken to the Companion wing.”

“Well, that’d be breaking the rules.” Antonio smirks. “So, count me in.”

Lark’s expression becomes shuttered. “What will I owe you?”

“Hey, stop looking like I’m going to say your Soul, a life debt, or a kidney. That sounds more like something my Alpha brothers in my old pack would demand. How about you promise to eat each day, and we’ll be even?”

Lark lets out a breath of relief. “Done. When you find her, can you pass on a message from me?”

“Even more forbidden…my type of gig. I was introduced to a Beta, Nina something or other, who works with the Companions. She’s twice my age but still, leered at me and gave my ass a good pat, as I passed. I’m sure that I can seduce her into giving me a tour, you know? That’ll be my chance.”

“She did what?” I demand.

Lark has the same possessive look that he usually wears with me.

But then, I’m sure that I’m wearing it too.

Antonio points at his ass with pride. “Hey, you use all the weapons at your disposal. Being attractive isn’t something that I can just holster. Yeah, her behavior breaks all sorts of HR rules and shit, but you never know when you’re going to need a Nina in your corner.”

My heart’s racing, and my palms are sweating.

What will happen to Antonio, when he goes home with someone else’s scent on his ass?

I don’t realize just how fast my breathing has become, until I hear Lark’s voice through my panic.

“Mercy, Mercy, can you hear me?”

Lark’s crouched in front me. He’s clasped my hands and is massaging the back of them.

His face is creased with concern.

“Is she okay? What did I say?” Antonio sounds distraught.

“Your Alpha will hurt you because your ass will smell of Nina,” I gasp.

I glance past Lark at Antonio.

Antonio pulls a face. “Firstly, yuck. Secondly, he’s not that sort of Alpha. He knows that I’m a cuddler. They’re not a friendly bunch here, you know? I’ve tried to go in for a hug but most just won’t have it. If I went home covered in the scents of two cute Omegas, he’d think nothing of it. That’s a lie. He’d become obsessed with you because seriously, the way that your scents mingle together like sweet chocolate plum cake is heavenly. It’s fated and—”

“Write a love poem to our scents later,” Lark grits out. “Now, memorize the message to my daughter.”

Antonio gives a lazy salute. “Yes, sir.”

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