Page 66 of The Merciless

One wrong move and she could lose all this within a snap of their fingers. Two players. Martin was the face, and the other was the brains. Ray looked over her shoulder at Mia, who was looking too pale to be alive. Who was looking too afraid to behere.And yet she’d made it.

She was sure Angel would too.

“We’re changing the plans a bit.”

Ray's voice cut through all their conversations, but she looked at none of them. Just stared straight ahead at that one gravestone that sat at the very end of the long field. This far she couldn’t read the name but knew exactly who it belonged to.

Lia Walker,it said,A beautiful daughter, sister, and friend.

“I know where to find Angel,” she continued, her resolve strengthening with every word. They wanted her to play?

Fine, she would fucking play.

“Get the kids out. Bomb andburntheir facilities to the ground tomorrow.”

Ray looked over her shoulder, and straight into Mia and Christina’s eyes. Looked at Luke and Jack who watched her carefully, war waging in each of their minds,

“I’ll go where they want me to. And I’ll get him out and end this.”

Akash matched her gaze then, his chin tipping.

Not alone though,she thought and shut her eyes against the cold air,never alone.

And It All Falls Apart

15

Martin De Santos stepped down from the dais, unremarkably calmer and happier than he’d ever been... Well, maybe that wasn’t true. Ever since he’d gotten rid of Isabella perhaps. Or since he’d seen Angel lift that gun.Oh,what a day that was. And whatplanshe’d had in mind with his son. They didn’t last long though. Not really.

God, thisjoythough, this peaceright now,he wished it would last forever. But Isabella had always called this place a wretchedcurse.Had called him a monster. So, it seemed only fair that peace was no longer a viable option for him anymore.

What he hadn’t been expecting when he stepped off the last stair and strode to his dining room, of course, was the very solution to all his problems come knocking right at his door. But itwas.Because thereshewas.

Martin pulled the doors open, the sound echoing through his empty walls as he lifted his head and well…froze.

Because seeing the particular girl who was supposed to be in a coma and had betrayed everyone the Lions behind their backs with her long legs propped up on the glass table wasn't something you saw every day. Seeing thevery girl they’d been hunting–

Things had gotten so much more interesting.

So, Martin stilled, his hands stalling on the handle of the door as he watched the scene play with a mere blink. His heart began pacing, sudden such of anticipation, ofexcitementrushing through them.

Oh, she’d been right. She was so right.

“Raylene Walker.”

Martin announced, trying and desperatelyfailingto keep that faint amusement from his tone as he dropped his hand from the door handle.

Raylene’s eyes were closed, her head hanging back as her highlighted blue bangs draped over her forehead. She was sitting on a chair, her arms crossed as she let out another one of her long sighs. Her white shirt was coated in red, blood that didn’t seem to belong to her. Blood from one of his people he knew for sure. Her brand-new black boots gleamed on his glass table, crossed and constantly tapping against one another.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” He grinned now, couldn’t really help himself. Because just asshe’dsaid, Raylene Walker had come straight into his arms. And now, he’d have the perfect way to get rid of both his son and her.

Tap. Tap.

“Remind me,” Martin purred and took a few steps forward, the sound echoing through the empty room as he neared the glass table, “Aren’t you supposed to be dead to the world?”

Raylene didn’t respond. Just let out another breath and laced her hands against her abdomen, not a hint of expression on her face. He knew who she was now.Whatshe was. Many had warned him. Seth Kincaid. Cole Kincaid. June Kincaid. Everyone had said the same thing.

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