Page 33 of Going Down Smooth: Part One

Me: Yes.

Avion: No no no. Mon cheri. Yes, what?

Me: Yes, Alpha.

Avion: Good girl. Look how far you’ve come in just one night. Come to me, Free.

“Free?” Mercy’s voice cuts through the fog in my brain. I’m like a slave to him and his demands as I stand from my seat. Nate and Trey both frown, questions in their gazes. I’m losing control, my life is unravelling before my eyes, and I can do nothing about it.

“I’m sorry, Mercy.” I round the table, breaking through the line of Alphas and wrap my arms around her. I hadn’t realized the room had cleared out and they were waiting for me. “I’m so proud of you. I will sort out your meetings for Monday, but I need to go.” I pull away, and Mercy gazes at me, confused by my words, maybe a little hurt.

“I thought you were going to come with us to celebrate. I even got your favorite bottle of wine.” She sounds so disappointed I almost falter, knowing if I did, he would indeed come for me. I am not ready to tell her, but I will.

“Do you want one of us to walk you out?” Trey asks, trying and failing miserably to hide the concern in his voice as he steps from behind Mercy. She looks at Trey, then Lox, Knight and Nate.

“What am I missing here?” Mercy narrows her eyes on her men, then back to me.

I step away and stop her from stepping forward. “Tomorrow, Mercy. I will tell you everything tomorrow. I promise.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. Yesterday, I was lamenting about losing her, now, she is losing me.

“OK. But where are you going?” She implores, her face pinched in concern and confusion.

“Ah, Omari and Avion are waiting for me,” I say resolutely.

“Oh,” Mercy says as I watch her turn it over in her head, eyes searching, then it clicks. “Ohhhh.” She winks, raising her eyebrows suggestively, making me force a smile. “Well, I guess I can let them have you for the evening.” She smiles. I don’t have the heart to say more.

I blow out a breath and four set of eyes harden in my direction. They want me to tell her and come clean, but I can’t. I don’t know how.

“I will call you tomorrow. I love you, Mercy.” I back away until I reach the door of the conference room and practically run from the building.

I gave myself over to them. I said yes.

I consented, even when I knew my decision would swallow me whole.

Even when I knew it would break me and I would welcome it.

TWENTY

MERCY

“Mouse. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us? The sun is out, perfect hiking weather.” Lox leans over me as I sit in the reading nook, a picturesque window seat surrounded by a large bookshelf as its frame. I found this cozy spot after breakfast this morning and deemed it mine. With a soft blanket over my legs and a steamy romance novel on my kindle, I am settling in for a relaxing day with nothing but my fantasies of Vampires and their dark deeds.

“I’m good, Lox.” I lean forward and kiss his lips quickly. Of course, he doesn’t let me off that easily, and kisses me stupid, leaving me breathless until he finally releases my lips.

“I can be convincing, Little Mouse. You can let me chase you. Like old times, and this time when I find you. . .well, I can’t promise you a piggyback home, but I can promise you another type of ride.” He kisses me once more, his words making me rethink my decision for a moment before I remember why I am waiting around today.

“Raincheck?” I raise my eyebrows and he pouts. Lox pouting is the cutest, strangest thing I’ve ever witnessed, and I laugh as I catch one of his locs and tuck it back into his man bun. I could eat him up, he’s so hot.

“Anything for you, Mouse.” He winks, then his face turns deadly serious. “Keep your phone with you. We won’t be long, but you know Knight, he will want to check in with you every ten damn minutes.” He rolls his eyes like he won’t be making Knight check on me as well.

As if summoned, Knight jogs down the hall, followed by Nate and Trey. “I heard that, Lox. But he is right, Mercy. I am not worried about your safety here, but I will be checking in.” He leans down and kisses my forehead, and I melt into the mound of pillows behind my back.

“I don’t want to miss Free’s call, or I would go.” I watch their faces and I can tell they are not telling me something, but I won’t push. Not yet, anyway. Yesterday, I knew something was up. She smelled of them. . .her scent was different but at the time, I was so focused on the meeting that I gave her an out. It’s obvious she’s keeping something from me, though. But Free is Free, and whatever it is, she will tell me when she is ready. Freeya said she would call me today and I know she will.

“About that—”

“Freeya will call.” Trey elbows Nate in his side, making him hiss in pain. My eyes narrow suspiciously. Yep, they are definitely keeping me in the dark.

“Merce, do you see what I have to put up with.” Nate holds his side as he limps towards me. I drop my kindle in my lap and open my arms to him.

---