Page 73 of The Merciless

“You can workwithus to get rid of him. And you’ll have all the power you need. I know you’ve been wanting to tear down Martin to take his place for a while now.”

Suddenly Angel was glad he hadn’t shared his personal vendetta against this entire organization with the others. Had only insinuated that he was on board with getting rid of it all when he’d told them about Ray’s plans. No one, except Ray, knew he wanted to get rid of the Ravens altogether.

Everyone thought he was targeting solely his father.

“I know you don’t want to get rid of the Ravens,” she said loudly, and Angel tilted his head to catch a glimpse of her figure. His gaze narrowed when he saw the brush of red hair disappear under the dais he was sitting on, “And I know you aren’t fine with Raylene Walker destroying themeither.”

He shook his head.

“So we’re offering an alternative.A truceof sorts. Join us, and we’ll make it easy for you to take Martin’s place.”

As what?Angel wanted to spit in her face,your fucking pawn?

Angel reined in his rush of anger, inhaling calmly. Judging by her ricocheting echoes, she was right below he was.Just a few steps forward,he coaxed as he looked through the railings. Saw nothing but plain white tiles and a large shut door as she groaned out loud at the lack of his response.

His hold on the gun tightened as he heard her angry murmurs, felt the clacking of her heels, and–

Angel smirked.

Got you.

Her red hair was a blur when she stepped right into the middle of the large hallway area and spun around dramatically. Angel saw her waving her gun in the air maniacally, her brown eyes ablaze as she looked up to the second floor but missed him completely. He could see the way she kept one hand braced against the wound he’d left her with back at the warehouse.

He'd been too drugged not to do deeper damage.

Today, however, that would change.

Angel took aim, his gun aimed at her heart as he waited for her to stop spinning. For her tofacehim.

And turning on her heels, just when she stopped, Angel saw her red hair sway violently, disorienting her for a second as she tried to look up. His gaze narrowed in focus and just as she raised her hand to shove the mess of her hair behind her ear, he pulled the trigger.

Swoop,the bullet went.

And buried itselfdeepin her heart.

Angel watched her eyes widen in half surprise, a gasp leaving her lips as she stumbled back and landed painfully on her back. Somewhere in his heart he felt an echo of pain, heard the grief and regret of ever knowing andtrustingher as he saw her wide eyes shoot up to his spot. Angel didn’t rise then, just aimed the gun towards her head and wasaboutto shoot when she growled out loud, clutching at her chest with one hand. And used the other to grab her dropped gun and start shooting haphazardly.

He grunted in surprise, ducking as a bullet whizzed over his head,

banging on the railing as he aimed the gaps of the railings again.

Her eyes met his then, her body stilling as their gazes clashed in half haze andhorroras he grit his teeth.

And pulled the trigger.

Right over her heart, once again.

This time, when she slammed back with a groan, she didn’t rise.

Angel waited for a moment, watching her stomach, waiting for it to stop moving. It took a few seconds. But it did. And only then did he get up from his crouched position. Slowly. Carefully. His gun was limp in his hands as he rose to his full height and watched her for a second.

An odd silence fell over them,ruiningthe control he had over his emotions as he watched her corpse stain the white floors once again. He saw the blood flow, watched it just as he had the day his mother had lain on the same floor. He saw her red hair clash with the white and saw her crippled skirt twisted around her hips. Heard the echo of the dying wind. Saw her fingers twitch and lastdying movementand–

Nope.

That was her hand. Moving. Holding a gun.

That was now pointed straight at his head.

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