Page 78 of The Merciless

“And what he wants.”

Jack.

“Isher.”

17

They waited for a beat.

And another.

And finally, Ray let out a long-suffering sigh.

“Oh.” Luke began, but his voice was followed by a loudclangbehind Miranda. Ray tilted her head sideways, her eyes crinkling as Miranda whirled on her heels to see Akash stride in with a rifle resting on his shoulders.

Everyone remained silent for a second. Not really knowing what to do.

And Miranda was well…bewildered.She stared at Ray and back at Akash as if they’d gone mad. And quite, Ray couldn’t help but agree,they had gone mad.

Because Akash cocked his gun and aimed it towards the man standing on his right.

“Your precious boyfriend isn’thereyet.” He snapped and a smile curved Ray’s lips as she took a step back and heard Miranda scoff in half surprise, “That was just a distraction.”

“Forwhat?”Miranda finally snapped and Akash rolled his eyes.

“Forthis.”

It all happened like a blur. Akash whirled on his feet as Miranda let out a guttural yell and turned, looking for Raylene. Looking toendher.

But Ray wasn’t there.

In the night sky, Raylene Walker had disappeared within the shadows.

**

Angel couldseehis breath as he ran through the dark alleys. The same ones he’d navigated back when he was searching for the Phoenix’s hideout.

That night had been equally as silent as it was today. The only difference was the faintbangshe could hear through the cold air that blew past him. He shuddered as the cold seeped through his t-shirt, cursing the entire setting as he ran alone through the dark alley.

The ruined mansion was close. And judging by the faint gunshots and yells, he knew the others had gotten there before him.

The plan had been simple.

Convince Martin’s people to join him and just wait for Miranda to call upon them as they rounded up on Raylene Walker. What hehadn’tconsidered was Mia. And now, after having seen her lose her cool like a fucking psychopath after he’d well…shother, Angel hadn’t stuck around to find out more.

He really should’ve been smarter though.

Because Mia was now following him like a hellhound.

And now he would have to waste his time searching for waysoutof this situation.

To make matters worse, he had a terrible feeling that Mia was far too close than he’d been expecting. He cursed out loud as he shifted his weight and ran to the dark alley on his right. The moonlight was like a saving grace, lighting his way to the mansion. There was no way inhellhe wouldn’t get there, he told himself as he ran,no fucking way.

If he had stopped to listen, he would’ve heard the sounds of faint footsteps behind him.

But he didn’t stop.

And was far too quick for Mia to catch even a glimpse of him as he turned around the corner and ended up in a familiar clearing.

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