Fatal Diversion (The Keeper's Series #4) - Stephanie St. Klaire Page 0,14
the awkward and back to being a team,” Killion said. “Can we get on about our business now? Let’s do a quick tour of the grounds so we can identify possible weak spots in the security and ramp those up right away.”
“Good plan,” Mercy agreed. “We can start in the kitchen. I’m hungry.”
As the team moved toward the door, Mercy hollered, “We’ll catch up!”
He held Dillon back and waited until the voices had carried far enough away that his own words would stay between him and Dillon.
“Look. I know this turned out to be more than any of us anticipated. You have to know I didn’t once think my brother would take an interest in you. Not the way he has anyway,” Mercy said. “It was just that he knows most of these guys, and those he doesn’t, I didn’t believe would be able to get close without Ran suspecting something. You’re our best undercover, and you are less…intimidating than some of these guys.”
“But more lethal,” she teased.
“Definitely more lethal.” Mercy laughed. “You’re a badass, Dill. But mostly, I know I can trust you. This isn’t just a case. He’s my family. There are higher stakes in this for me, and you were the one person on the team I knew I could trust with that.”
“Well, I’m flattered and honored to do the job,” she said. “Besides, he isn’t all that bad. I forget how persistent you Wyatt men can be, though. Jesus.”
“We get it from our mother.” He chuckled. “She’s very persistent.”
“Romance novels?” Dillon had heard the stories of Mercy’s mother and her romance novel collection.
“She thinks those things make her an expert on all things love, tragedy, ruthlessness, and billionaires. I guess those alphas she talks about trickled into how she raised us.”
“Well, her number one goal in life is for all of her children to fall deeply and madly in love with their soul mate discovered through tragedy and adversity. If you can survive a romance novel love story, you can survive anything.” Mercy rolled his eyes.
“Much like you and Gray. You found each other through an international trafficking case full of murder and mayhem, and from what I’ve gathered, it’s a love for the books.”
“I do love her, and it is odd how we found each other. I guess it worked out just like Ma wanted,” he teased. “Go figure. I suppose Ran is finding himself in a similar situation. He may not know the entire reason we are here, but he isn’t immune to the adversity and threats surrounding him at the moment. He’s likely to need someone to save as he isn’t used to being the one who needs saving.”
“Big war hero…I heard.” Dillon poked fun. “Look, I get it. I know this is far more than just a case for you. You’re like family, Merce, and if it hurts you, it hurts all of us. We take care of our own. It’s the Keepers way.”
“We do.” Mercy crossed his arms and looked at the floor as if something there was worth studying. “Look. If you feel, at any time, that this is too much or you need out, you just say the word. I don’t want you to ever feel pressured to do something outside your comfort level. That’s not how we work here. I’ll come clean with Ran before I let you compromise yourself in that way.”
“He’s harmless, and I’m fine. Though, I appreciate you saying that. If he gets out of hand, which I doubt, I can handle it and him. He comes on strong, but he’s a really good guy with honorable intentions. I don’t doubt that he will be anything but a gentleman. He just likes playing cat and mouse, apparently,” Dillon said.
“Um. Gross.” Mercy stood and led them to the door to catch up with the rest of the team. “I really didn’t want that visual.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Dill, it’s going to get worse before it gets better around here. I feel it in my gut. We are closer to the endgame here, but it’s going to get ugly. We have your back the entire ride, got it?”
“Got it,” she said. “Now, let’s get to the kitchen. Tony’s working. He’ll make you a meal that will make you want to date him.”