Page 78 of Mercy & Her Devils

He understands.

We’re no longer caged in the dark.

Something that’s been trembling inside me unfurls its wings and takes flight.

Hope.

In the middle of the balcony stands a rough oak table with cozy looking green couches surrounding it. Behind it on the wall hangs a huge television, and below that, hums an electric heater.

A tall stack of papers and books are piled by the side of the table, which have a haphazard look, as if someone has recently been sorting through them.

Somebody who’s as much of a disorganized, hot mess as I am naturally, when I’m not hemmed in by an Alpha’s rules.

Are they Kai’s? Is he a writer?

Suddenly, I’m desperate to flick through these books.

It’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to read.

I miss it, deep in my heart.

Perhaps, Kai is a hermit horror writer, one of those Alphas like Stephen King.

I perk up.

Antonio strolls behind us, although I notice that he appears to be dragging his feet.

Is he worried about the fact that he was caught in bed with us by his Alpha?

Didn’t he have permission after all?

He is a bad boy, in lots of ways.

“Antonio,” Kai says without looking around but with an edge of warning in his tone that puts me on the alert, “why did you break our agreement not to play your punk music before breakfast?”

Shit, I knew that he was in trouble.

Antonio stumbles but quickly catches himself. “Everybody needs mood music when they’re making sweet love to a woman, right? I heard that somewhere. Surely, that’s an equally important rule.”

Lark looks like he wants to either slap himself or Antonio.

Kai reaches the table and turns around with a frown. “Lad, come here.”

Lark turns to Antonio, before he can move toward Kai.

Antonio looks shocked, when Lark pushes him back with a firm hand on his chest. “Stay here, pup. I’ll take the blame.”

Antonio shakes his head. “That’s adorable, but you don’t need…”

My heart is in my mouth, when Lark wrenches away from me and then storms toward Kai.

I rush after him.

I’ve never met anyone with as protective a streak in them as Lark has.

On the other hand, I understand why.

He’s needed to in order to keep Millie safe.

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