Page 36 of The Merciless

“What,” Christina said, exasperated as she let out a calming breath, “did you do now?”

Angelahh’edagain and flopped back, the images of his house, his business all burning down flashing behind in his eyes. Jack’s growl of annoyance filled the air, and he was totally aware of Luke holding onto a very exasperated Mia as she tried to attack him,

“Let me–” she grunted in Luke’s hold as her eyes flashed in irritation, “Let me fucking at him. I’ll kill him and maybe we’ll know whatthe hell he’s going on about–”

“Angel.” Came Luke’s tired voice, “Just spit it out or I’m going to let her go. I swear to God,”

“I kissed Raylene Walker.”

Thatsilenced them. Angel blinked and pursued his lips and was about to continue when he heard a burst of laughter from his side. He nodded solemnly as everyone burst out laughing beside him, and closed his eyes as he heard Jack gasp out,

“That’sit?”he said, “God you’re such a–”

“And she’s going to ruin all our plans now.”

Their laughter ceased immediately, and Angel nodded solemnly again, hilariously at peace with the fire. At peace with his doomed fate, “She’s probably going to set everything on fire as she did with the Lions. And she’s going to ruin every plan we’ve ever made up until now.”

“You’re telling me,” Came Christina’s hoarse reply, “That all thosestupidcalculations you made me do. All thatdetailedplanning and hours of figuring out ways to get under your father’s nose–”

Angel sighed, “There’s a new player in the game now.”

He said and opened his eyes. Stared at the wide expanse of the ceiling, “And now that we’re going to go after them, we’re going to also probably burn ourselves to the ground.”

Another minute of silence followed his words.

And was interrupted by Mia again jumping ahead to attack him and Luke grabbing onto her again with a tired sigh.

“I’m actually going tokill you–”

“Oh, doshut up!”

Angel shot up at that, and turned to see Noah and Myra walk out their room, the former rubbing his eyes as Myra glared at all of them,

“Why do you all have to be up this early in the fucking morning?” she snapped, to which Angel fell back on his chair and returned calmly,

“It’s noon.”

“Iwillmurder you.”

Angel closed his eyes as he heard Noah yawn loudly and mumble through it, “Get in line.”

“Where are the others?” Jack asked from beside Angel, “Or are you two the only ones here?”

“Irene’s still asleep, Ira’s waking her up right now. Sorin’s been on his phone all morning, and the others–” she paused and looked around, a frown turning her brows. Angel sat up, opening his eyes again,

“They’re yelling at Ray.”

Noah jarred awake at that, his shoulders stiffening, “What?” he almost yelled, “Withoutme?”

Myra smacked him on the head in response, making his entire body jerk forward.

Angel saw his friends stiffen at the action, wondering about the repercussions when Noah just shot Myra a dirty look and turned to walk into the kitchen.

Angel blinked at their interaction. It would take a while, seeing these representatives the world feared act like friends. It would take a while forallof this to sink in. Angel saw Myra turn to Christina, who was the only one who was standing, and frown,

“Your face is scaring me, please sit down.”

Angel turned and almost shot forward at the way she’d paled. Of course, it would take all of them time to get used to all this.

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