Page 56 of Mercy & Her Devils

I straighten, yanking on Lark’s waistcoat. “Come on, we need to go. Please…”

Lark clenches his jaw. “How do we know that you’re not taking us to some black market Alpha, who’ll sell us to someone even worse?”

Antonio doesn’t look insulted.

In fact, he looks impressed.

“Smart.” He wets his dry lips. “You don’t. Take it on faith. But my Alpha is going to want to wrap you in snuggly blankets, spoil you, and probably cook you pancakes every morning. He worships Omegas. I know this is a shit rescue mission. It’s a rushed job because the auction was kept secret. But trust me, I’m risking a lot here too. I’m breaking my Alpha’s orders.”

Immediately, Lark lowers his hand from Antonio’s throat.

My eyes widen, and I force my weak legs to carry me forward to stand by Lark’s shoulder.

We both crowd Antonio against the wall.

I’ve never been this close to him before.

I can smell his scent now. A Beta’s scent is usually fainter than an Alpha or Omega’s, and in turn, they have less of a sense of smell.

Antonio’s scent, however, is like a breath of fresh air.

I take a deep breath of his eucalyptus scent, which is sweetly mint with an earthy undertone, tinged with honey and lemon. It makes me feel as if I’m free already and walking in a forest.

I can’t stop myself.

I lean forward, sniffing at his neck. I push one of his curls behind his ear.

Antonio’s eyes brighten. “You smell delicious too, mia amata.”

I frown. “Don’t distract me. Are you really going against your Alpha? Why the hell would you do that?”

Lark’s expression is thoughtful.

Antonio flushes. “Because you’re pack. Don’t you feel it too? How could I stand by and watch you be auctioned off? My Alpha will accept that I did the right thing. Technically, breaking his orders, but I’m a rebel. He knows that about me.”

“But why?” Lark presses.

Antonio is breathing hard now, as his gaze darts between us.

“Because I’m fucking obsessed with you both,” he finally murmurs, clenching his hands. “I’m falling for you, okay? I wasn’t meant to. Possibly, I’m not cut out for being undercover. Look, I’m totally not. I suck at this. And I’ve taken the executive decision to…”

“Steal us?” Lark drawls.

Antonio’s eyes brighten, as he points at himself. “Rogue, badass, yada, yada. If I can steal a car, then I can steal the two Omegas who feel like mine. I can protect them too.”

“And we’ll protect you,” I add, fiercely, “from your Alpha.”

Antonio will be in trouble, whether he’s pretending that he won’t be or not.

He’s doing this for Lark and me: The Omegas who feel like his.

I lean forward and kiss him.

Antonio lets out a startled sound, before grabbing onto the back of my neck firmly and pulling me into a deeper kiss.

It’s hard, passionate, and far too short for my liking.

Lark grabs onto me, hauling me away from Antonio.

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