Sweet Mercy - Lynn Hagen Page 0,26

was no longer there.

“This was exactly what I was talking about.” Ford ran a hand over his face. “Exactly what I’d feared. Now I’ve pulled you into this mess, which was what I’d wanted to avoid.”

Mercy stood by the wall, afraid to say anything, trying to ward off the chill creeping into him. Ford was livid, and rightly so, but it was his anger that scared Mercy. He didn’t think Ford would raise a hand to him, but he wasn’t going to test that assumption either.

Ford was twice Lloyd’s size, with ten times his strength. Mercy prayed he hadn’t been foolish enough to let down his guard around someone who might lash out. Hell, Mercy didn’t really know Ford. Not well enough to know how he behaved when he was riled.

“Go get some rest.” Ford walked over to the window. He wouldn’t even look Mercy’s way. “I’d go hunting for him, but I’m not leaving you alone.”

Mercy held his head up and pulled his shoulders back. No. He wasn’t going to let another guy make him feel worthless. “Take me home.”

They’d driven Ford’s truck into town.

The demand got Ford’s attention. He turned and scowled. “What?”

“Take me back to the ranch. If you don’t want to, I’ll call Lincoln or Red to come get me.”

Letting his anger guide him—not his common sense—Mercy stormed from the apartment and headed down to the bakery. He was so furious that he dared Vladimir to try something.

Mercy exited the bakery, stopping on the street. Cresting Moon was still lively, people still on the patio, talking, drinking, and laughing as music poured from the restaurant.

Before Lloyd, Mercy had enjoyed a social life. He’d had a few friends, partied, and hadn’t had a care in the world. Not many that disrupted his life.

Then he’d met Lloyd, and his life hadn’t been the same since. Mercy had hidden on the ranch, too afraid to live again, stuck in limbo. Ford had given Mercy an opportunity, a second chance.

Although Mercy was grateful for it, he wasn’t going to let his mate snarl at him. Those days were over.

What really bothered Mercy was the fact that Vladimir had taken off. He knew why Ford hadn’t attacked the vampire. Because he had been there. That was easy enough to figure out. But why hadn’t Vladimir attacked? Was this some kind of sick game? Did he get a perverse thrill out of taunting them?

Mercy wasn’t a detective and wasn’t trying to be one. He would’ve been completely happy remaining unaware of Vladimir’s existence. Just from their brief encounter Mercy knew the vampire was pure freaking evil.

Just like Lloyd was.

Mercy looked toward Bent Spoon just as Lloyd was walking out the door. He appeared haggard, his hair disheveled. If Mercy didn’t know what a monster he was, he might have felt sorry for Lloyd.

Sooner or later Lloyd would know that Mercy had opened a bakery. But until then, he wanted to be left alone. He didn’t want his ex coming around while the bakery was under remodeling. Mercy didn’t want him coming around at all. Too bad Lloyd hadn’t stayed away. That would’ve been one less headache to deal with.

Mercy spun to go back inside when he ran into a wall of hard flesh. Ford curled his arm around Mercy and pulled him close. For a moment Mercy had forgotten about the strain between them. He wanted nothing more than to curl into Ford and take comfort in his mate.

“I’m an asshole,” Ford said against Mercy’s hair. “A straight-up asshole who let his fears overtake him.”

Mercy tilted his head back so he could look up at Ford’s handsome face. “You’re not getting an argument from me.”

“Do you still want to go back to the ranch?” Ford was fully dressed, prepared to take Mercy home. “I know my life is crazy, and having an enemy show up scares you, but I swear I’ll protect you with my life.”

Mercy looked sideways and saw Lloyd staring right at him. He didn’t want to go back inside the building, to give his ex any knowledge of his business. Right now it looked as though Ford and Mercy were just hugging on the street.

It was best to keep it that way.

“Let’s go for a ride. I think we could both use the fresh air.” If Mercy told Ford about Lloyd, his mate would pummel Mercy’s ex. After the visit from Vladimir, Mercy didn’t want any more confrontations right now.

He felt Lloyd’s gaze drill into his back, which made