Page 76 of The Merciless

“You,” The woman finally said as the man finished speaking and bowed his head, taking a step away from her, “You must think you’ve won.” She took a smooth step forward, her white shirt rustling with the movement. Ray hid her scoff but kept her defensive position intact.Anytime now,she told herself,it could begin at any moment.

“I’m not stupid, Miranda Andrews.”

Miranda froze, her body stilling with Ray’s words. It was then she saw that glint spark in her green eyes. It wasthenRay knew Miranda was no ordinary woman. Not anymore.

“I don’t think.” Ray breathed and balled her hands into fists,

“I know.”

“Oh?”

Her blood ran cold at her calm tone. At the way Miranda straightened and tugged the sleeves of her shirt forward. And suddenly Ray knew she and Angel had made the right choice that night. Had taken a gamble.

And had played quite well.

A slow smile curved her lips, her heartpoundingwith excitement as she watched this play out.

Ray rolled her shoulders back, forcing every ounce of conviction, ofshamelessnessin her frame as she looked down upon the woman standing far away,

“I’m no stranger to those who climb through ashes forrevenge.”She said and saw Miranda’s eyes flare wide, saw the glint of curiosity entire her frame as she placed one hand delicately over the other, “And I know what lengths one goes for it.”

“Revenge.” Miranda breathed, and let loose a soft laugh, “You speak as though you know the word quite well.”

Suddenly Ray was taken back to the night she and Angel had reunited. The night when she’d taken him up to her place and they’d bared one another’s souls. Had shared a part of themselves that now hung between both their necks. Right above their equally beating hearts.

And after the emotional bit, they’d conjured up a plan.

Had laid the perfect trap for any eavesdroppers.

She saw it play out now. Knew she would have to tread carefully.

Which was probably why she was bidding for time.

“You’ve given enough lessons to last a lifetime Miranda,” Ray replied easily and shifted her weight on her backfoot when she saw someone take a tentative step in her direction. She sent a cold look in older woman’s direction, and saw her raise a swift hand in the air, stopping them in their tracks, “Or have you forgotten?”

Thehoursof research. Of searching after they’d understood who the mole was. Thedesperateattempts to not believe what was truly happening. When reality kept shoving them back into the same pit again and again.

Because Mia Andrews had betrayed them from the very beginning.

She’d chosen blood over loyalty.

And in all honesty, Ray couldn’t really blame her.

Didn’t mean she wouldn’t kill her.

Ray’s words had struck a nerve because Miranda Andrews took a ruffled step forward, her eyes ablaze with years andyearsof rage as she snarled, “Forgotten?” she began. Shivers erupted down Ray’s spine at the sheermurderwritten in her gaze,

“Forgottenwhat?Forgotten having seen my own homeravagedby flames you caused? Forgotten having seeneverythingyou’ve worked for come crumbling down right at your feet?” she paused and scoffed, her demeanor cracking, the grief in her voiceshowing,

“Youburntmy daughter’s childhood, makingashesof the memories we’d built overyears.” She was seething now, her red hair a wildfire behind her, “You burnt the room where me and my family sat every night. You burned a libraryI’dbuilt from the ground up for my daughter.You–"

"You burnt my sister." Ray's voice was low. Was calm despite the pain, the sorrow ruining her heart. When she looked up, she saw Miranda’s face. Saw the stark horror that crossed her eyes before she turned it into indifference.

"What?" Ray laughed without an ounce of humor, "You thought you could have your daughter spy on me, and I wouldn't know? You thought you could kill Lia Walker the minute she decided to deny you, and Iwouldn't know?"

Ray shook her head, "I didn't burn you down for the Lions." She said as though Miranda were stupid, spitting out the words like venom,

"I burnt you down because you birthed thatwasteof a man inmy fucking home."

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