Page 29 of Going Down Smooth: Part Two

The piano slows as the modern notes of “The Journey,” by H.E.R. begins. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. The moment my songbird opens her mouth and graces the audience with her soft alto voice. I don’t even think she realizes I’ve stopped playing as she holds all of us in the palm of her hand. The lyrics speak of facing adversity, and struggling through life, but never giving up, about being strong, and coming out on top. As always, the perfect song.

My heart aches as I think of the last few months of her own journey, watching her struggle but not wanting our help, and how she would get lost in her journal for hours to cope. I wore her down, placing card after card wherever she spent most of her time until she finally chose to speak to a professional. It was, no, it is still her journey.

Mercy’s voice rises and falls, flawlessly changing octaves, she vocally runs near the end, holding each life-altering note, and I forget to breathe as she hits the last key, letting it ring out over the quiet bar, finally looking up. Well, fuck. I’m so in love my heart could burst.

“Thank you,” Mercy quietly says into her mic, and the crowd goes wild. I don’t know what to do with myself as I stand and clap for her. Everyone is on their feet, shouting and cheering, lights from phones recording her every move. This is truly a moment to remember, and I will hold it in my heart forever. I will make it my mission to have her play with me more often at M. Bar. By the smile on her face, I think Mercy will agree.

“Mercy Smooth, everyone,” I lean into my mic and say her name as everyone continues to clap until I give the cue to the DJ to start to play. The spotlights go out and the normal ambient lighting of the bar comes on again as I rush over to Mercy and take her into my arms. I don’t think I can hold back from touching her much longer as my lips find hers and I practically carry her off stage.

“Merce, you are truly a wonder, baby,” Nate says in awe. He reaches his arm out to her as I put her on her feet to walk down the steps.

“I’m going to have to put you on the payroll, baby girl,” Knight says as she reaches the last step. He takes her hand in his and we follow him through the crowd until we reach our parents’ tables.

My parents stand as we approach, my mother is a mess of tears as she holds out her hands to me. “Oh, Trey, seeing you perform never gets old,” she says, pulling back as my dad lays a hand on my shoulder, his eyes full of pride. My Beta parents have never shied away from showing me their love and affection, so when they sandwich me in a hug, I bask in it.

“You did well, Son,” my father whispers, and I catch the intended double meaning. I pull away as my mom approaches Mercy.

“It’s so good to see you, Mercy, sweetheart. I just witnessed magic.” She hugs Mercy as Knight and Nate give them room. People are starting to hover around us, trying to get pictures, but I can already see security coming toward us to stop them from getting near Mercy or our parents.

“Seneca, you must be elated. Look at your baby,” my mother gushes, her petite form bouncing with joy.

“I taught her well. I am glad some things stuck. That goes for you too, Trey,” Seneca says with a smile. I know that it’s all the praise we are going to get from our former teacher. She doesn’t have to say more, I can see happiness in her eyes as she attempts to hold back tears.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say in reply as Edward hugs Mercy, rocking her gently in his arms. He pulls away as the crowd starts to get loud. “Well, us old folks should leave you to it. But I will say, Knight, this is not what I expected. I will definitely bring Seneca back here. Your parents would have been proud of you, of this place,” he says gesturing around the bar. Knight nods his head solemnly and Nate freezes, his head drops as he looks away uncomfortably. Losing their parents is something they will never get over, no matter how many years they’ve been gone.

“Thank you. I can only hope so.” Knight reaches out and shakes Edward’s hand as they start to leave.

“Thank you for coming,” Mercy says to her parents, then turns the same sentiment to my parents as well. “I hope we get to see you for Christmas. We kind of went overboard at home and Christmas threw up all over the place.” She laughs, scrunching her nose sheepishly. The expression is cute and playful, another step forward in her healing.

“We wouldn’t miss a chance to stop by,” my dad says, clapping me on the back as we watch them go. I make a mental note to see my parents more often. As I look at Knight and Nate, I’m reminded of how lucky I am because not all of us have parents to hold on to.

Lox appears out of nowhere and wraps his arm around Mercy’s waist, picking her up, he makes her shriek in surprise. Her arms wrap around his as he buries his face in her hair, rubbing his nose into her neck and face, scent marking her. “Little mouse, I don’t know if I like you entertaining all these packs looking the way you do. I know they’re all mated but I still don’t like the looks you’re getting,” Lox growls, making Knight, Nate, and I start scanning the room.

I don’t see anyone alarming other than a few people looking at Mercy more in respect and adoration, but I don’t say it. I shake my head at his antics, biting back a laugh. Nate eyes me and he does laugh, making Lox give him a death glare. Lox can be an Alpha-hole when he’s surrounded by so many Alphas, other than us.

“Down boys, nobody is going to touch me. Your pheromones are so strong right now, I’m practically invisible.” Mercy playfully hits Lox’s arm as he carries her through the crowd and towards the stairs to the VIP section.

“Well, it’s best we get you somewhere safe, regardless. I may need to have a discussion with that dress though, baby girl, especially your thigh.” Knight arches a brow, eyes heated as he climbs the steps backward, declaring his intentions without saying a word.

“Knight Biggs, in fact, all of you, I will have you know I love this dress. I just got it.” Mercy pouts when not one of us says a word. She looks sexy as fuck, and I’m about ready to rip the damn thing off her with my teeth.

Mercy sighs. “Can you at least let me attempt to remove it on my own? At home would be preferable,” she says, as if she’s negotiating a deal, making Knight stumble up a step as his head tilts back in laughter.

“We can make it tantalizingly slow, mouse. Unwrap you like a present, an early Christmas present,” Lox says as he playfully nips her bare shoulder.

“Oh, Merce, I’ll buy you another one. Hell, I’ll buy you a closet full if we get to rip them off you whenever we like,” Nate says as he takes up the rear of our group.

I follow without a word, savoring every happy moment. Happiness, as they say, is fleeting, and we haven’t had much lately.

“Okay, fine I—”

Mercy’s words die as Knight freezes at the rope off section of the VIP room. The smell of warm sugar, fuck, so rich it smells caramelized, hits the back of my throat and I go on high alert. A growl sounds from beyond the top of the stairs and I can hear Avion spitting French profanities before he appears in front of Knight.

“Knight, we need a quick exit and fast.” Avion’s suit looks slightly disheveled as Vic comes into view looking out of sorts as well, his pupils are blown with a wild look in his eyes I know all too well. Plus, he’s sporting a massive hickey on his neck.

“Fuck, guys, sincere apologies, but Omari is a few days away from his heat. Freeya was determined to see you play, Mercy. We thought if we were up here and out of the way he would be okay. Dez is away and fuck—” Vic says, watching something behind him with widening eyes, Omari growls again, followed by a long low moan. Well fuck.

“Freeya. Is she okay?” Mercy asks, but by the sound of things, Freeya is just fine.

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