Page 45 of The Merciless

Ray scoffed as Vera made her presence clear by coughing violently, “It will.” She said a bit proudly, and smirked at Irene who shot her a rare grin, “And I won’t even have to kiss him.”

“Thatconfidence,”Neera said as Myra whistled in response, “You make me sick.” She added with a venomous smile.

“Wait,” Vera choked from the sofa, attracting their attention. Ray blinked down at her, surprised to find a morbid expression on her face, “You and Angel De Santos?”

She didn’t really give a response. Just continued staring at her until she understood she wasn’t going to get an answer.

“I can’t–” Vera took a sharp breath, trying to process the situation as she rubbed her brows rigorously, “Why?”

That might’ve been the most offensive thing she’d ever heard. Offensive and logical, butoffensive,nonetheless. Ray scoffed and glared down at her.

“He’ll keep his mouth shut.”

Sorin’s voice drifted through their conversation and Ray turned to see him and Kyle step down from the dais, their hands entangled. Ray arched a brow as Kyle shot her a nasty look,

“I’m not apologizing.” She stated as he continued glaring. Kyle’s shoulders stiffened, his green eyes turning sharp behind his glasses as he removed his hand from Sorin’s and straightened them,

“What are you going to do about my parents?”

“You’re not getting your life back Larsen,” Neera said instead, and Ray felt a twinge of pity when his entire composure seemed to weaken. But Neera kept her eyes on her nails, inspecting them as Myra continued in her steed, sounding a bit more sympathetic,

“Your parents will be punished fairly,” she said, her pink braids falling forward as she spoke in faint cheer, “Any time you break Sorin’s heart though, you’ll be joining them.”

Ray blinked at the blatant threat but wasn’t really surprised at it. Myra had always been like this. Cheerful on the outside, deadly on the inside. It was why her ex-boyfriend hadn’t seen what was coming when he’d crossed her. It was why Ray had saved her ass back then and would do the same any day. She looked at the girl now, standing taller and stronger than sheeverhad. Especially after she’d had to give up on her dream.

Had to give up her career for Lia.

They’d all sacrificed a part of themselves before getting involved in this mission. Had given up on their lives to make some people pay for mistakes they didn’t even know they’d made. Her friendship with Myra was easy. But with Myra came Irene. Their relationship had started rocky. Irene used to own a business back when she was still in school.

Ray had pulled some strings back then to get her out of the ditch she’d fallen in with a few investors, and there had been a time when Irene had hated her for it.

She got used to the hatred though.

Cameron and Neera had come hand-in-hand.

Cameron had been a survivor of a dangerous family back home. Had met Neera while she’d been employed by his family. And both of them had left together, both wantingoutfrom a world they were born in.

That was of course, until the repercussions of their actions had followed them all the way back here, where they’d met Akash. Wherehehad saved both of them from a family that was hell-bent on killing them.

Noah and Sorin were a simple business relationship in the beginning. She’d struck a deal with them before embarking on the mission, and somehow it had transcended into something more friendly. More personal. Maybe because they knew Lia, or because they shared the same fate of loss with her. But it had become far greater than any deals.

And Akash, the boy who was sitting back at his place, watching over Ira and Micah, was her one rock. Was the one who had beenwithher since the beginning. He might’ve been a bit foolish in the beginning but had changed with her. Had become more like a brother and a friend she hadn’t asked for, but knew she needed.

“I don’t plan to,” Kyle responded, drawing her out of her daze. Ray followed his line of sight, and saw him staring out the windows without a hint of emotion in his gaze, “I’ve had enough of this life as it is.” He murmured quietly.

“There will be a day,” Ray said then, something sharp prickling her conscience as Kyle turned to look back at her,

“When you will want to see them. When a part of you will want to forgive them. Will want to forgiveyourself.”

Kyle’s body stiffened, his hands balling into tight fists as Sorin sidled close to him. Ray had the sharp urge to leave this place and go in search of a certain someone as she continued.

“Remember why you made this choice then.” She said and saw him gulp, “Know that it wasn’t because of Sorin, or because anyonemadeyou.”

A breath, a sigh and she said the words she’d wanted to say the first time she’d seen Kyle Larsen, “It was because you didn’t belong in a place that didn’t see you for who you are.”

“You aren’t a person who stands in shadows, Kyle,” Ray continued and something in his eyes shifted. Something deep like realization swam in his gaze as he took a step closer to Sorin as well. Ray saw their hands brush, saw the poise and the gentleness they regarded each other with, “You’re a leader. Become one that doesn’t representfear.

Be one that is different from how the world perceives one to be.”

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