Page 2 of Going Down Smooth: Part Two

When I finally reach the ventilation grate, I stretch out my arm in search of salvation, my limb is weak. My hand is shaking as I beat the metal grid with all my flagging strength. My body is screaming from pain as another explosion rocks the building. Panicking, I hit the metal so hard I know I’ve broken something in my hand when I hear the crack of my bones, then excruciating pain.

Tears are running down my face from the sheer relief of making it this far. My Alphas are right outside beyond this burning hell. I try hard to listen for the sound of their feet coming to my aid, but I can’t hear anything as the ringing in my ears gets louder. I keep banging my hand, my very broken, throbbing hand, until a wave of dizziness followed by more coughing has me passing out once more. . .

As I close my eyes, I wonder if it’s for the last time.

I follow behind an eager Grace, who is bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Mercy, I can only hope I get to have mates like yours.” She sighs dreamingly. “I mean, I wouldn’t have grown up with them like you have, but a girl can only hope.” She stops as we reach the foyer in front of the double church doors of the sanctuary, and turns to me, her bright smile and innocent brown eyes only make my heart hurt for her future. I don’t want this. Faith is not happy, for reasons I am not sure of, but I could possibly guess by her reaction back there in the dressing room. What hope did my baby sister have? What about all the other Omegas out there wishing for the same, only to get the worst of their expectations. I smile at my sister, wanting to say all those things. I want her to think, to question, to not fall prey—

“I can only wish for the same for you, Grace,” I say instead, reaching out to give my sister a one arm hug as my dad, Benjamin, marches down the aisle of the church with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Come on, Gracie girl, we are about to start,” he says softly to Grace as she rushes past me, only to stop, turn, and blow me a kiss over her shoulder. I reach up and grab it out of the air and pat it against my cheek with a forced smile. I watch her join the rest of our family in the pews. Her pink thigh-length dress makes her look younger than she actually is. I am sure that was my mother’s doing.

The church is packed on my side but only Trey’s parents sit on the side of my soon-to-be-mates. Lox walked away from his family, so I am sure this doesn’t bother him at all. But Knight and Nate. . .well, I am sure the loss of their parents is sitting heavily on their chests on a day like today.

I watch Faith take a seat next to one of her Alphas, who grabs at her possessively, forcing her closer to his side. I can’t tell which one it is from here, but it makes me bristle at the sight. My mother takes her seat at the front of the church next to my father, Edward, as my best friends Knight, Lox, Trey, and Nate stand with Christopher, the father who will preside over the ceremony, at the end of the aisle. It’s like the wedding I never dreamed of having. At least, not like this.

We should have had time. I watch Christopher waving his hands, ushering people to take their seats; he is ready to wrap this up in a pretty bow and send me on my merry way. Another daughter put in her place.

My chest feels tight. This white monstrosity of a dress makes my skin itch. I wouldn’t be surprised if hives start to appear up and down my arms. My anxiety is through the roof. But what can I do? It’s not like I can run.

“You look beautiful, baby girl. Let’s get this show on the road.” My father holds his arm out, offering me a soft smile. I take it hesitantly, feeling slightly betrayed. Can’t he see what this is doing to me? If anyone could understand my emotional state, it would be him. Everything has been turned upside down, yet they still force this on me without considering my feelings. My eyes sting. I look up at my guys once more, knowing this wasn’t their choice but they are going through with it all the same.

I push down my tears as I try to find the silver lining in all this. Surely, once this is done and I am their mate, I will be able to get back to the way things were. Knight, Nate, Lox, and Trey won’t imprison me. Maybe, just maybe, we can do this without any big changes. Gripping my father’s arm tight, I offer him a quick nod, followed by a smile. We both face the crowd of onlookers; their bright smiles and nods of approval make my stomach turn and my palms begin to sweat. I search for reassurance, for anything to get my feet moving.

“So, once this is done, do you think I can come back to work with you?” I lean in and whisper, trying to sound hopeful, but my smile falls at the look of sadness and regret on my father’s face. He blinks slowly and his lips form a tight line of finality. As if he has put a wall up to shield himself from what he is about to say to me. It’s then that I know I’ve truly lost it all in one fell swoop.

“That’s not a decision for me to make. Your Alphas will take care of you now, Mercy. They will decide what you can and cannot do, within reason. I am sure Knight, Nate, Trey and Lox will allow you—”

“Allow me!” I shriek, not meaning for my voice to sound so shrill and loud. A few people begin to whisper as my father ignores my outburst and begins to walk me down the aisle. I guess he realizes that the sooner he can get me to my soon to be mates the better. The longer I remain in the entry way, the more of a scene I will create, and I am about to lose my shit. He gives my arm a little tug and I feel like he is dragging me down the aisle.

“Dad,” I say through gritted teeth that I know looks like a manic smile. “Please, don’t do this.” I want to drop to my knees and beg but I know it will do me no good. Plus, my mother would have a coronary if I embarrassed the Smooth name in that way.

“Mercy, baby girl, this is for the best.” My dad stops mid-way down the aisle and smiles down at me. “This is not—”

“Benjamin, is Mercy okay?” my mother interrupts him before he can finish what he’s about to say. I panic, looking around at the smiling faces as they watch us. Some of my extended family members gaze at me sympathetically, possibly thinking this is my father offering me a bit of encouragement to soothe my nerves. Well, fuck that.

“She’s okay, Sen,” he says, emotion thick on his tongue as he takes another step forward.

He tugs my arm again, and this time I dig in my heels. I can’t and won’t do this. I will not be their possession. I will not be forced to live a life I don’t want. If I have to run and hide, I will.

I look up to find the guys. They are all glancing my way, their eyes track my every move. Knight’s jaw is clenched but that’s his only tell that he is uncomfortable about what’s happening. I yank my arm away from my father’s so fast he doesn’t have a chance to register what’s happening until I am already running out of the church. I hear my name being called but I ignore it. I run for my life. Hiking up my dress as I reach the main doors of the church, I break into a sprint as thunder rumbles in the distance, followed by a deluge of rain.

“I can see her!” someone shouts.

The fog of my memories clears as the sound of banging and drilling digs into my pounding head. Every ache and pain makes itself known, sending a wave of nausea through me that threatens to send me under again. But I hold on to the sounds around me despite the pain.

“He-lp!” I croak out, unsure if my voice will be heard over the sound of their rescue attempt. I keep calling out, despite the metallic taste in my mouth and the pain in my raw throat, it’s agonizing but I need them to hear me.

“She’s alive. We found her!” another voice calls out.

I try to pry my eyes open, but the light is too bright as hands pull at my body, causing me to cry out hoarsely as they hit my broken ribs against the broken debris of the wall.

“Careful!” another deep voice calls out. “Get the oxygen! She’s barely conscious.”

“Mouse!” I hear Lox first. If I could cry from the sheer relief of hearing his voice, I would.

“Mercy, baby, we are here,” Knight chimes in next, but I am being jostled, pain engulfs me as I am moved so fast, I only hear bits of arguments, threats, and pleas to come in the ambulance with me.

“Merce, sweetheart. We’ll be right behind you,” Nate says from somewhere beside me. I try to open my eyes, but the sweet relief of oxygen floods my system and all I can focus on is breathing.

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