Page 6 of Mercy

My laughter fades, and I can feel the tension creeping back into my body.

Tor must sense the change because he says, "Hey, why don't we head in? Say hi to everyone? I know Starla's been dying to see you."

I nod, trying to summon up some enthusiasm. "Yeah, sure. Let's do it."

As we approach the door, I can hear the muffled sounds of conversation and laughter from inside.

Tor puts his hand on the small of my back, a gentle, reassuring touch that sends a shiver up my spine.

"Ready?" he asks.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "As I'll ever be."

Tor pushes open the door, and I step inside.

For a split second, everything goes quiet, and then?—

"Welcome home, Meghan!" The chorus of voices hits me like a physical force, and I stumble back slightly, overwhelmed by the sea of familiar faces grinning at me.

As Tor steadies me with a hand on my elbow, I paste on a smile, hoping it looks more genuine than it feels.

Welcome home, indeed.

If only I was sure this still felt like home.

CHAPTER TWO

Tor

The warm glow of the overhead lights catches in Meghan’s ashy blonde hair, making it shimmer like spun gold.

My heart races, pounding against my ribcage as if trying to break free.

She's finally here, back where she belongs.

The guys erupt in cheers, their voices echoing off the exposed brick walls. "Welcome home, Meghan!" they shout in unison, raising their beers high.

Meghan's hand flies to her chest, and she starts breathing heavily.

I can see the rapid rise and fall of her chest, her athletic curves accentuated by the tight black tank top she's wearing.

Without hesitation, I throw my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to my side.

"What, did they scare you?" I tease, my voice low and warm next to her ear.

The scent of her lavender shampoo fills my nostrils, and I have to resist the urge to bury my face in her hair.

She laughs, a sound that sends tingles down my spine, and nods.

As I look down at her, I notice tears starting to spill from the corners of her eyes.

My protective instincts kick in immediately, and I use my free hand to gently wipe away the moisture from her cheeks.

"Hey, hey," I murmur, turning her to face me fully. "What's wrong, Meg?"

She shakes her head, a watery smile playing on her lips. "Nothing's wrong, Tor. I just... I didn't expect this. It's overwhelming."

I cup her face in my hands, my calloused thumbs stroking her soft skin. "Listen to me, Meghan. We all love you. Every single person in this room is glad you're back. You hear me?"

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