Page 13 of The Merciless

“How do you want to do this, Raven?”

Angel’s dark eyes flashed. But his lips parted with a low,

“Go.”

And the others filed out with scathing glares in her direction. Raylene didn’t give a shit. All she cared about right now was thatlookin Angel’s eyes. The way he was pulling back the sleeves of his shirt as if he was preparing for war.

Good. She’d been preparing for the same since the night of the massacre.

Since his confession.

Angel De Santos was slow death. Was absolute torture when he took a step forward and started first in a dark,darkvoice.

“Youliedto me.”

Raylene Walker didn’t flinch.

“How long?” he asked when she didn’t reply. His expression was thunderous, all dark hair and lethal eyes when he stepped forward, “How long have you been lying?Whyhave you been lying?”

“People see what they want to.” Ray said finally, tipping her chin to face him, “People believe what they want to. It’s not my fault no one stopped to question me.” But she didn’t care aboutthis. Didn’t want to explain this.

All she wanted was to clear that image of him jumping in her way that day.

All she wanted was…clarity.

Was him close and utterlygone. Away from her.

“You–” Angel started but Raylene wasdone.She wanted answers. And for the first time inmonths,she let herself show that rage she’d hidden.

“Youhateme.” She sneered, dangerous enough to stop him in his tracks, “Yousaidso yourself. You despise my presence. Thenwhy,”she took a step forward, jabbed her fist against his hammering heart,

“Why did you jump in the way?”

Why did you take a fucking bullet?

Her eyes snapped up. And watched as his face transformed to absolute outrage. Absolute agony and anger,

“Why did I jump in the way?”his voice rose, shaking now. His chest moved, all ragged anddone,when he took a step forward,

“You, were going to get yourselfkilled.”

“And?”

“And?”he barked back, his quiet rage fracturing, “What did you want me to do?Watch?”

“Yes!” she yelled back, “Youinterfered. You–”got fucking hurt,“You ruined my plans.Destroyedeverything!”

Destroyed my heart.

“Ask me if I care!”

Angel was far closer than he’d been before, his amber eyes flaring dangerously as he gotrightinto her face. He was sizing her up, but she returned the gesture with equal bruteforce. Even forced herself to stop her hands from shaking as she rubbed her brows harshly.

Angel saw the movement and moved ahead to grab her wrist and haul her hand away from her face. Ray glared up at him, her fingers balling into fists.

“No,” he said, shaking his head, “Askme why, Raylene.”

Ray’s shoulders shook, her heart pounding harshly in her chest when she looked up at him, shaking and shivering with the hot fire running through her veins,

---