Page 39 of The Merciless

“I still think we should divide and work together.” Irene said, her braids slipping over her shoulder as she looked intently at Ray, “We can get more ground covered in lesser time.”

“And if not them,” Jack began, “We can help.”

Angel looked at his friend, making sure to convey his gratitude as Ray nodded at both their words. Jack shot a serious dip of chin at the look and continued,

“I doubt you’re the only target. If the players were smart enough, I’d think they would come after Kyle and Angel as well. An alliance doesn’t stand solely with the middleman.” He paused and turned to Christina, “And knowing now that they could be based in five different places, each of them could be a trap. I think we should go after all of them at the same time to see which one’s real.”

“Because even if they get even a whiff of what you’re up to,” Irene continued for him, catching his line of thought, “They’ll be on the move again.

And with what we’ve seen, they aren’t a big group after all. Recruiting children is the first sign–”

“What if they’re saving their resources? Bidding for time?” Ray countered, “What if theywantus divided and what if two of us go in one of the facilities and are bombarded with a large group, we can’t bring down by ourselves?”

Angel could feel her growing panic. He’d never seen this side of her. Was used to her cold and collected self.Human,he thought a bit wondrously as he looked at her,she was human.

“Ray,” Noah said softly but it was Angel who leaned forward. Who grabbed the back of her shoulders and hauled her back into his arms. Others might be used to this. Might be used to her panicking like this. But Angel wanted to deal with it in his own way,

“I have an idea.” He said with a wide smile as her head tilted up to peer at him. Those honey eyes seemed to glisten in surprise as she realized who she was with. He nodded. He knew how different it felt now that they weren’t out for each other’s throat.

“Well?” Myra probed, crossed her arms as she tilted her head in his direction, “What is it?”

Angel’s grin widened, “You like bombing things, do you not?”

Ray blinked, taking a moment to catch the meaning behind his words. She gasped when she reached the realization.

And he nodded again, a smile turning his lips.

“Wecouldspread out as you said,” Ray said, sitting up as she rubbed her chin in thought, “But instead of breaking and entering to figure out which place is the real sight, we place bombs on each of the sites and wait for confirmation.”

“When we know which site it is, we can just,” Angel snapped his fingers, “Blow them up.”

Ray chuckled before him, “Notthateasy. We can’t just kill the innocents there,” she said and shook her head in his direction, “We need to scout it out. And only after making sure that everyone is out, we go in for the kill.”

“Because if there one thing we’ve learnt from infiltrating the Lions,” Myra said, playing with her pink highlights as she stared into nowhere, “It’s that we need to figure out who’s the real enemies.” Her gaze turned to Sorin, who sat straighter, “Kyle and Vera were like wildcards in our plans. Now we know what side they fall on.”

“So where do we go from here?” Mia asked, the chair under her creaking as she leaned back. Angel’s hold on the phone in his hand tightened, a movement Ray discreetly covered as she moved. He admired her line of sight, her attention. Was glad to have it as support as he answered Mia’s question,

“Now we find out where to go. And we put the first step of the plan in motion.”

Ray nodded, and turned to Ira,

“Scouting.” She said, a bit distracted as the younger girl stared back at her. Angel could see the question in her eyes. So could Ray, because she shook her head and said in a gentle voice,

“Not you.” She said and looked at Micah as well, who turned taut at her attention, “Nor you. Both of you play no part in any of this anymore. However,” she added with a hint of seriousness, “If you both have any other information to share, you best do it now.”

Angel saw Ira and Micah share a glance. Wondered when they’d met for the first time when the latter turned to Ray, his hands tightening on the back of Sorin’s chair,

“I can help you with the facilities.” He said, and Angel leaned back, suddenly tired from this conversation, “I’m sure I’ve been to at least one of them. But in return–”

“Your father’s safe.

Micah’s grey eyes flashed, “How’d you know…” he began quietly, his voice shaking as Ray waved a hand in the air,

“Van’s an old friend. It was a miracle he turned out to be your father.” She said, and Angel’s brows furrowed at the familiar name.

“Godfather.” Sorin corrected gently and looked over his shoulder at Micah, “As long as you’re with us until all this ends, you and Van should be safe.”

Van.

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