Page 27 of The Merciless

She didn’t have a response for it. Just chose to keep that lump in her throat to herself as she turned and pulled him with her,

“Let’s go.”

They neared the place soon enough. Ray fished the key from her pockets, a slight tremor passing through her hands as she pushed it through the lock and grabbed the door handle. She looked up at the opaque glass door, blinking at it,

“I haven’t been here in five years.” She whispered before pulling the door open.

She was immediately blessed by warm air and the familiar smell of fruits when she pulled it open further. Her eyes crinkled, and she made a note of thanking Ciera when she stepped into the hallway and removed her shoes.

Angel followed her in, closing and locking the door behind him as he let out a sigh of relief in the warmth. Ray’s feet flexed on the warm carpet, a moan almost leaving her lips as she ran ahead and breathed out.

Let out a scream of joy before jumping in the air.

“Finally,” she gasped and turned to see Angel leaning against the wall, staring at her with a small smile on his face. She grinned back, unable to believe that she was backhere.In this small, crumped-up apartment-type house on a rooftop with low walls, two rooms, and one island kitchen.

Thishad been her promise to Lia.Thishad been her dream of getting them both out of that wretched town.

Her smile dimmed at that thought, her brows crinkling as she recalled Lia’s face. Lia’s smile. Hereverything.But before she could dare dwell deep, warm hands held the sides of her face, shifting her so she was facing him. Angel’s eyes were warm when she looked up at him and she could swear something in her chest stalled,

“Hey,” he said softly, “Don’t become a shell of yourself.” his thumb brushed her jaw, “Not after doingeverythingyou’ve done up until now. Not afterwinning.”

“I’m still going after the Ravens,” Ray replied, her chin tilting in his hands expecting annoyance. But Angel, he didn’t do a thing. Only pulled her close with a small smile and whispered,

“Please do.” He said, not a hitch in his tone, “I’ve been waiting forsomeoneto.”

Ray’s brows crinkled. But before she could question him, he took a step away, his gaze shuttering,

“I’ll tell you my side after you clear yours.Everythingwith nothing left out, I promise.” A hint of doubt in his voice when he looked at her quietly,

“Justtrustme enough totellme enough.”

She hadn’t talked about any of this in a long,longtime. No one had asked because no one knew. But this.Him.He didn’t know and yet–

Looking at him now, a part of her couldn’t help but cave. Ray took a step back and sat down on the carpeted floor, her back against the couch as she saw him follow her. He too sat cross-legged in front of her, his knee touching hers in a show of support.

“Use this against me and I’ll kill you, Angel.” She said after a moment’s pause. Angel only shook his head, an easy smile on his face,

“Never easy with you.”

Indignation rose on her tongue but Angel’s brush of lips against her head was faster. Ray froze. But he sat back down and tilted his head,

“If I ever make that mistake, I’ll lay at your feet, Raylene Walker.”

Ray breathed out and looked away from him, her hands wrapping around her body as she began, “You know that Nathan Kraft was my biological father?” she asked and he nodded, “Well, I didn’t live with him. Ma left him when I was, what, two? And remarried when I was twelve. She fell in love with this man I’d never met before. He had a daughter from his previous marriage as well. She was seven when I met her.”

Her eyes rose to his finally, shining with lost memories,

“And was Ira’s age when she died.”

Angel’s sharp inhale was expected. But she didn’t expect him to move closer. Didn’t expect him to carefully grab her ankles and place them on either of his side. She reveled at the connection, breathed in his closeness as he shifted closer and placed a warm hand on her calf,

“Her name was Lia. Lia Walker.” She said, her voice shaking,

“She’d taken Ma’s and my name. She was a little shit at times but,” she chuckled softly, “She was the best. Someone new, someone so tiny and beautiful. And so happy.”

Ray pulled back an inch, “Back then, I’d needed some space. So I’d gotten involved in the dark side of business. One thing led to another and suddenly I was in the wrong league with the Lions.” She straightened against the couch, “There was another gang back then. Someone who stood close to the Lions. I helped someone bring them down. It was by far the biggest job I’d ever gotten done. But it came with its repercussions.

Lia died soon after, and I didn’t know because I was in a hospital. My hand was cut up because of that day, but no one bothered calling me.” Her rage rose with the memories that surfaced after so many years, “I saw her at herfuneral. One I hadn’t even been called to. Akash told me about it and I arrived there with all thesepeople–I,” a breath, “I just lost it.”

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