Page 63 of The Merciless

He should’ve been afraid of what was to happen to himnow.Was he going to die without fulfilling his promise to his mother? Without bringing down this wretched gang as he’d planned to since the very beginning?

But in reality, all he could think of was the last thing he’d told Raylene Walker.

Even as he lay on the wet ground with his hands bound tightly behind his back and heard thedrip, drip, dripof water far away, he could only think of Ray and where she was. If she was fine. If she’d made it out alive.

“Suchfools.”

That voice, that miserable, aged fuckingvoice.

God, he was going to kill her when he got out of here.

“Shewillcome, you understand?” a breath and a small laugh, “Young love makes you so foolish. She will come thinking she can sacrifice herself foryou.”

Maybe it was because he was lying on the floor. Or because it was dark. But as a slow smile raised his broken lips, it hid in the water. Because no matter what anyone said, he wascountingon Raylene Walker stepping through those doors. Was bidding his time as he waited for her to come and ragehavocall over this desolate place.

Because she wouldn’t comealone.

No, she would bring her entire army with her.

And she’d burn this place to the fucking ground while she was standing in it if that’s what it took.

So yes, he smiled as the voice laughed and walked away. He grinned and stopped his urge to laugh out loud as well.

And began counting for the very. Last. Time.

14

There was this dreadful ball of flame in her stomach, gnawing her insides as she laced her hands and leaned forward. Her head hung limply, waiting for something,anythingthat could show her that they’d all made it out alive. That she wouldn’t have to end this war all alone.

Warmth seeped through the side of her arm as Ira leaned against her. Ray lifted her head slightly, turning so she could see the young girl. She had her eyes closed, her lips parted as she fell asleep under the dark sky. Ray’s gaze strayed to the wound on her face, her tongue souring at the thought of it scaring. But it was a deep cut, there was no point in hoping that it wouldn’t.

To make things worse there was another small cut on the bridge of her nose, probably from when she’d been taken by Ciera and her minions. One she hadn’t seen before. Ray forced herself to look away from the blue-black skin, her eyes flooding with unwanted tears.At least she was alive,was all she allowed herself to think,at least she was here and alive.

Ray moved slowly, careful not to wake Ira as she carefully leaned back against the bench and let her head fall limp against her shoulder. Ira didn’t stir, not when the wind hustled past them and not when the leaves rustled as Micah paced across them.

Ray watched the young boy. He too had his share of bruises marred all over his face. His wrists had been bleeding when she’d managed to get both of them treated. They were wrapped with a clean cloth now. But he was alive. Was walking around. Looking at herself now though, with only Ciera’s blood tainting her shirt, she knew she’d gotten the easy way out.

Whoever was planning this had given her an easy task to overcome.

Angel, she thought, the fear rising in waves now,might not have gotten an easy way out.

The sound of a footstep and leaves crushing had Ray’s head snapping back up.

“Micah.” She started quietly and nodded when he turned to her, stark surprise and fear written on his face, “Get here.”

Micah moved quickly, going to sit where she was sitting as she got up. He held Ira’s head, his hands shaking as he sat down, and Ray covered both their bodies with her own. Her gun was up in the air, her gaze narrowed at the dark pathway up ahead as the trees moved violently with the wind.

“Ray,”a voice, a familiar, faraway voice cried out and Ray wanted to go ahead. Wanted to move but she had Ira and Micah behind her. She couldn’t leave them alone unless,

“We don’t have a corny code,” a female voice snapped from the woods, “Get here!”

Ray shot forward, her heart calming finally as she tucked her gun back. Neera. That had been Neera who’d snapped at her. And amidst the dark small paths and the stones that sat across the layout, Ray made her way to the faint rustling of the bushes.

“Neer–” Ray began but paused when Neera emerged with Christina. Her breath caught as she saw Cameron standing between them, his arms around both their shoulders as they dragged him forward. Ray ran ahead, her teeth gritting at the sight of the dried blood from the side of his face,

“What happened to him?” she asked as she took him from the two girls, “Cameron?” she asked gently, probing at his cheeks as Christina and Neera stopped.

Ray looked at both of them, her eyes widening with concern. But Neera only shook her head and made to move forward when Ray stopped her.

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