Page 55 of Mercy & Her Devils

“Your chariot awaits.” Antonio grins. “Well, a stolen van but it’s the best that I could do on short notice.”

“So, you’re a thief as well.” Lark arches his brow.

“Jack of many trades,” Antonio says, proudly.

“And master of none.”

“I think we both know that between us, you’re the master.”

Now, Lark looks proud.

I move to scramble into the van, but then I hesitate, when Lark prowls toward Antonio, pressing him against the wall.

Antonio lets him.

He’s definitely letting him. He could fight his way out of the hold any moment, even if he’s lying about the MMA training, and I’m sure that he’s not lying.

Confused, I rest my weary body against the wall. My legs are shaking.

“I’m not trapped in that cage now,” Lark growls. “No more orders. I’m giving you one: Find a way to rescue Millie because I’m not going anywhere without her.”

How could I have forgotten Millie?

The crushing panic of our escape drove everything else from my mind.

No wonder Lark is going feral.

“She’s in Companion House. I don’t have access to her.” Antonio’s expression gentles. “Plus, here’s a final truth bomb for you. Your daughter’s a Reject. Growl all you like about that, as if you’re the big, bad Omega daddy. Wait, that doesn’t give off quite the vibe I was going for. Putting a pin in that hot image, it doesn’t change the fact that right now, I can’t get that bracelet off your daughter. We’d end up caught within minutes and then we’d be worse off than before. I definitely fucking would.”

Lark raises his hand to Antonio’s neck. He doesn’t apply any pressure but he rests it there like a warning.

For a moment, I think I see amusement dancing in Antonio’s eyes.

I want to urge Lark to jump into the van before it’s too late and we’re discovered. But that means he’s making the decision to leave behind his daughter.

I can’t do that to him. Whatever he decides, I’ll support.

Antonio reaches to gently lay his hand on Lark’s shoulder, and the touch appears to steady him.

Following Antonio’s lead, I totter toward Lark, resting my head on his back and stroking his taut muscles.

Some of the tension bleeds out of Lark.

“We have time to come back and rescue your daughter. At the moment, she may not be happy but she’s safe in Companion House. But I swear that I’ll plot to come back and save her,” Antonio continues. “Staying here and getting caught isn’t going to help her. Being sold to a psycho pack of Alphas won’t help her. Do you want her to lose her dad?”

Lark shakes his head, grimly.

Antonio’s smile is crooked.

He’s so fucking gorgeous with his silver curls and dark eyes. He’s truly like a dashing Beta demon, and I’ve only read about those in romances, where they’re usually seducing Omegas into the underworld.

But can it be worse than the hell that we’re already in?

“Look, I’m a bad guy.” Antonio gestures at himself. “But the posh men at that auction, they’re villains. My darkside is stabby. But theirs is more war crimes, corruption, and probably kicking puppies for fun.”

I blanch.

Shit, the auction with those types of pack are happening right now.

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