Page 7 of Mercy & Her Devils

“S-sit b-back on the couch,” I manage to stutter. “In case, h-he…”

Thomas’ expression clouds but he appears to understand. “I wouldn’t want my brother-in-law to catch me helping my twin through a panic attack. The scandal.” He pushes himself to his feet and marches back to sit on the couch. He snatches up a brochure and pretends to flip through it like I’m not still crumpled on the floor (and as if I can’t see that he’s holding it upside down). “Will this impress him? I’m taking an interest in his work. Oh, look! Two for one on Alpha Dominance and Discipline courses. Perhaps, I should sign myself up. Although, Dad keeps telling me that I scare the rest of the staff with my dominance, so perhaps, I don’t need that part. What do you think?”

He chats casually like I’m not crawling and dragging my way across the floor to the couch.

It’s lucky that I keep my floors so clean, or my white dress would be ruined.

“I t-think you’re an Alphahole,” I get out, shakily.

Thomas tosses the brochure down and slips out his phone, tapping it on. “Can I add that as a recommendation on my ABOinder dating app? Women go feral for Alphaholes. I blame romance writers.”

“Don’t tell me you’re on that app.” Surprise lowers my heart rate even further, and I manage to pull myself up onto the couch.

Thomas shoves the phone back into his pocket, before I can peer at it.

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Since you don’t want to hear about my knot, you’ll never find out.” His expression softens, as he studies me. “Now, how are you feeling?”

I assess myself, pushing my tangled hair out of face.

I feel shattered.

Wrung out.

Exhausted.

Yet I’m no longer in the attack itself. Thomas helped me with that in his typical, unique fashion.

Fuck, I miss him.

“Better,” I reply. “I’m sorry that I didn’t manage to go outside.”

Thomas shakes his head. “I’m sorry that I tried to take you outside. I didn’t realize how bad things had become.” He lowers his voice, and his gaze is intent. “I’m going to find a way to get you out of here. You should never have been forced into this bond.”

“And you should never have been forced into the center and then to work for Dad.”

“It’s the only way that I can stay in your life and keep you as safe as possible. I’m also involved that way in the political running of the town, which is something. One less real Alphahole at the top, even if I need to play the role. Plus, who else is going to give you epic gifts like this?”

He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a tiny peacock stuffie with flamboyant, iridescent blue and green tail feathers and aquamarine eyes.

I stare at it. “Can I say that’s a very you gift, Tom.”

“Gabe always did say that I was like a peacock.” Thomas grins. “I never knew whether to be insulted or flattered that he named me the same as his precious guitar.”

My stomach clenches.

Gabriel was our best friend. It was agonizing to both of us, when he was sent away to Alpha military academy.

He had beautiful lavender eyes and always treated me like I was the third Alpha in our childhood gang, rather than being an Omega.

It’s no surprise that as soon as I was old enough, I fell hard for him.

He was my first love, and you never forget those.

My brother’s fingers almost brush mine, as he passes me the gift, and both our breaths’ catch in fear.

Then I’m hugging the peacock like it’s safety, life, family…

Home.

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