Page 70 of Mercy & Her Devils

Yet he looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him as he plays with my hair.

I’m mildly disappointed that I’m not still warming his cock.

“Morning, you,” he replies with a lazy smile.

Then he swoops in for a kiss that’s deep, sweet, and makes my toes curl.

Suddenly, the door slams open, and I flinch.

Adrenaline surges through me.

I jump back from Lark, burrowing under the throw pillows like they’re any protection.

Lark growls.

“Growls as a morning greeting,” Antonio declares as he swaggers into the room. “I could get used to this.”

I peek through my pillow fort at him.

My skin prickles. I bite my lip.

Antonio looks fucking gorgeous.

And nothing like he did in the Institute.

Antonio is dressed in rumpled linen trousers with an ivory shirt and beaded necklace. His navy blazer is paired with his iconic silk fox scarf and a matching, playful silk handkerchief that’s tucked into his pocket.

His curls are sleeker, and the look in his chestnut eyes is sharper.

Antonio appears effortlessly chic like he’s just walked out of a magazine spread for Italian Vogue.

Well, if they had one that was dedicated to antiheroes.

“Don’t you scrub up well, pup,” Lark says, admiringly. “That guard uniform never suited you. Although, has no one taught you how to iron? Or how to knock?”

Antonio waves his hand. “Pfft, they tried, along with cleaning, cooking, and false accounting. You know, all the typical Beta skills, at least, in my family. Why would I care about those, when I could learn how to do awesome things like roundhouse kick, handle a gun like a pro, and master the art of becoming an assassin?”

How can he say those things so cheerfully?

I stare at Antonio. “You’re freaking me out.”

Lark narrows his eyes. “Don’t freak her out.”

Antonio tilts his head and flutters his impossibly long lashes. “I’m reformed now. Sort of. Plus, we’re on the same side. So, the only ones who need to watch their asses is your enemies, mia amata.”

I shuffle all the way out of my pillow fort. “In that case, yay us.”

Antonio studies Lark and me. “I love seeing you in Kai’s shirts. You’re both beautiful. Kai won’t tell you but he fucking loved seeing you wearing them too. You’re cute.”

Lark clicks his fingers firmly. “Here.”

Did Lark truly just order a Beta assassin to heel?

Lark has balls.

Antonio looks like he’s trying not to laugh but he schools his expression. “Yes, sir.”

He thrusts his hands into his pockets, strolling across the bedroom. It’s sexy but also, insultingly slow paced.

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