Page 72 of The Merciless

But they all took one unanimous step forward. Aloudstep, one that sent a tremor running through the ground. One that made him grin again.

Their faces reflected the same expression he’d learned to hone over decades. Had the same promise written he’d repeated over and over in his head when he’d followed his father.

No regrets. No remorse.

No fucking mercy.

16

It’d been easy to convince them to join him. Somehow his and Christina’s words from the day before had struck a nerve because as Angel watched them file out of the house on Martin’s order, none of them derailed. None of them were regretful.

The plan was finally in motion.

Angel breathed out, slumping against the pillar of the second floor as he waited for all of them to disappear. He’d follow them later, would get to Ray before anyone else did. And would have his entire army by his side.

He wanted to leave immediately. Wanted torunafter Ray and wherever they’d taken her.

But couldn’t leave without raising any suspicion. Nor could he contact anyone. All he could hope for was Ray and her way of distributing the tasks amongst everyone. Buthell,he didn’t evenknowif any of them were alive. The thoughts rushed through his mind like a tidal wave, the pace leaving his heart racing as he drew his knees to his chest.

His forehead tapped against the bone of his knee, his fingers sliding through his dirt-filled hair as he watched the glass that hung from his neck. It swung back and forth, occasionally touching his skin as he breathed in and out. Angel could hear the whisper of their footsteps echo away and could feel the rumble of the door as it shut. And left him in unforgivingsilence.

A sudden ringing began in his ears in the quiet air, not a hiss or a crack within range.

Angel gave it a few seconds.

Knew it was too easy for him to justleavehis prison and not have any repercussions coming banging at his door.

Maybe he knew his fate too well because the repercussions came just a few moments later.

Click. Clack.

Angel’s head snapped up, his body tensing as he heard the heels clack against the marble tiles on the floor below his. He straightened, suddenly glad he’d been sitting behind a pillar, to hide himself in care anyone spotted him. Angel’s first guess washer,judging by her heels. He didn’t have such a strong hold on his fate. Because it wasn’t her.

It was someone worse.

Angel stiffened when he heard the clicking cease and braced himself for an attack. Forsomething.

“I think we’re too old for hide and seek, no?”

He grit his teeth, his fingers shifting back to touch the gun hanging from the waistband of his jeans as he heard her familiar voice echo through the large area. There had been a time when he’d accepted her as his family. Had believed she was a blessing after the turmoil of his life.

Turns out she was nothing but karma.

Angel rolled his shoulders back, not daring to peep as he carefully crouched on his toes,

“ComeonAngel,” there it was, the touch of impatience. She’d never been one to wait. Never a great person to have on hand if there were any stealth missions, “I’m getting tired of this.”

Angel didn’t move. Just removed the gun without making a single sound and twisted the silencer on its edge. It was still too difficult to determine her exact spot, which is why he needed her to continue talking.

In her case though, doing that task wasn’t all that difficult.

“Angel!”she screeched, her voice making him flinch as he removed the knife and placed it in the placeholder of his sleeve, tucking it so it was invisible, “Come on. I have a fucking prospect for you.”

Angel’s brows arched, his movements stalling as she sighed loudly,

“Look, we can get rid of Martin for you.”

His eyes flared wide in surprise.

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