Page 46 of The Merciless

Ray breathed out when she finished, a sudden urge toleaverushing through her bones as she took a step back. Her eyes darted around in search of her phone and she grabbed it from the sofa. Not waiting for either of their responses, Ray ran a hand through her hair and took another breath, moving so she was heading out the door,

“We begin tomorrow.” She said in a low voice, “And we end it, once and for all.”

She didn’t hear them murmur their agreement.

Just strode out the doors with her fingers tight around the glass shard on her neck.

**

Angel flopped back on his bed with a muted groan. Judging by the amount of work and trust he’d have to regain with his father, he would probably have to spend the night. Martin and Miranda had stepped out for the night, saying they would spend their time elsewhere for the time being while Angel got the mess sorted out. A stupid decision considering it was pouring outside.

He could still hear that wretched conversation clear as day.

“Where have you been?” Martin’s voice was thunderous through the large dining room, “I know you left that island two days back.”

“Keeping tabs on me now, father?” Angel retorted, his feet tapping impatiently on the floor as he heard the faint murmurs of the conversation Mia was having with Miranda.

“What have you found out up until now?” Martin asked instead, returning the question with a calmer voice. The man was poised on the chair with his back erect, his suit ironed to perfection as he eyed his son.

Typical for him to get tested while Martin obviously knew everything.

“After Noah’s death,”

“Unfortunate.” Martin mumbled and Angel resisted his urge to roll his eyes,

“The Lions seemed to have crumbled. Raylene Walker is in a hospital, her situation still looking a bit dicey.” He thought about it, maybe it was a good idea to throw someone under the bus as well, “On another note, Kyle Larsen is missing. There’s been rumors.”

“Rumors?” Martin demanded, “What rumors?”

Rumors he was making up just to mess with his father’s mind.

“Rumors that Kyle Larsen might be behind all this,” sorry Kyle, “And that he might’ve orchestrated this entire thing to abandon the alliance.”

Martin’s brows crinkled, “But Akash Smith was behind the attack.” He said and Angel nodded,

“They might be working together. Especially considering what happened last year between you and the Smiths, it’s possible they might’ve banded together.”

Your fault, a part of him wanted to spit at him, all this was your fucking fault.

“I knew Kyle was a fool,” Martin spat instead, “But never considered Akash to be one as well.” He paused, “Well, I suppose you could handle it from here.”

“I need you to work on something as well.” Angel began. Something that would take you far away from here, “I need you to maintain our businesses abroad. Talk to people and make them believe that we’re holding our ground as we always have.”

Shine in a place that will forever remain in the dark.

Martin’s eyes glimmered in the sunlight, something like satisfaction passing through them as he rubbed his chin, “Very well.” He said and a wave of relief washed over him, “But we begin tomorrow. Me and Miranda are heading out to spend a calm night elsewhere.”

And they continued by discussing some logistics. Some measures they’d have to uphold while Jack and Christina had walked in to chime in the conversation. Martin had taken some of their suggestions, satisfied by the fact that he was given his time to shine and display himself to the world like abloody trophyin Jack’s words.

Luke had stuck by Mia upon Angel’s orders. They’d managed to calm Miranda long enough for her to walk out the doors with Martin and with a small, gentle smile.

Angel groaned out loud again, his hands going over his head as he thought back on the day.God, he missed Ray.Having her close was like a comfort he hadn’t had in a long time. It was something he hadn’t known to miss long enough. He murmured a soft prayer in Spanish, a rare slip of the tongue as he recalled her being close, her fruit scent, and her wide eyes. And it was completelyherfault that he didn’t hear the faint rustling of the windows being pulled open.

Not until a softtap, tap, tapdrew him out of his daze.

Angel shot up, his hands going to the gun resting in the waistband of his jeans as he heard thetap, tap, tapof the window again. His brows furrowed as he shot forward, a nudging feeling in his chest as he grabbed the curtains to haul them open and stopped short when he saw what was outside.

Or ratherwhowas outside.

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