was his work, and now that he’d met Mercy, had mated him, the idea of going back to that lonely existence didn’t appeal to him in the least.
“And now what?” Mercy finally looked up at Ford with those baby blues.
“Now that the trouble I feared would follow me has arrived, now what do you want to do?” Ford gripped the steering wheel harder. “Vladimir is a psychopath, a killer, Mercy. That’s why the Ultionem sent me after him. They don’t want him brought to justice. They want him dead. He’s a very dangerous person and never stops until he’s accomplished whatever goal he’s after.”
Like killing the Rankle family.
God, Ford had been such a fool to believe they’d been safe after he’d chased off Vladimir. Why had he let his guard down? Why had he left that family exposed to the vampire’s cruelty?
The guilt would forever haunt him.
“I have no idea what to do,” Mercy said. “The last time I fled a bad situation, I went to Lincoln’s. But Lloyd is human. He fears stronger men. I don’t think Vladimir fears anyone. So how do you take down someone like that?”
That was what Ford was trying to figure out, but so far, he had no idea. If it had been just him, he would have used himself as bait. But Mercy was now involved, and Ford couldn’t take that chance.
The good news was Ford hadn’t detected any hellhounds in Fever’s Edge. The bad news was Vladimir was there, and he wanted Ford and Mercy dead.
“For now, you stay by my side.” Ford took another turn that would lead them back to town. He didn’t want to take Mercy back to the ranch. That would leave his mate vulnerable and put a lot of innocent people at risk. “No running anywhere on your own.”
Not until Ford had yanked out Vladimir’s dark heart and removed his head from his shoulders.
Chapter Eight
Mercy had a crazed vampire after him. Of course he was scared out of his mind. He’d considered going back to the ranch, but did he really want to put others at risk? He would be devastated if anything happened to those he cared about.
Every time Mercy looked past the window he expected to see the vampire on the street, though he knew Vladimir couldn’t come out during the day. That still didn’t stop Mercy from looking, from holding his breath, from wondering when Vladimir would strike.
All he could do was hope that Ford killed the psycho before Vladimir killed them. He refused to dwell on the threat as the equipment for his kitchen arrived.
Mercy had been thrilled that his dream was coming true, but to see it coming together was an indescribable feeling. He bit his lower lip as the oven was being installed, trying his best not to explode with excitement. Ford had gotten Mercy the oven of his dreams. The one he had earmarked in one of his catalogs, an oven he knew he’d never be able to afford, but a guy could dream.
But now it was a reality. Mercy tried not to think about the price tag for it as he walked to the front of the shop where the display case was being installed next to the counter.
The shop wasn’t even finished, and already Mercy wanted to bake. He could already imagine the aromas that would permeate the bakery, the people who would come in to buy what he’d made, and the pure joy of owning his own business.
“You seem bubbly.” Ford slid his arm around Mercy’s waist. “It’s almost done, sweetheart.”
There was only one thing that made Mercy happier than opening the bakery. Ford. Mercy never thought he could be this content with another man. Not after what Lloyd had put him through. But Ford had proven how almost perfect he was.
“Okay.” Ford walked across the room and grabbed two rolls of what looked like blueprints, tucking them under his arm as he brought them back to the counter. “I know you said you wanted pastel colors, but I’m here to give you options.”
So accommodating. “Let’s see what you have.”
Ford rolled the plans out on the unfinished counter. Mercy got as close as he could, their arms touching. He loved smelling Ford, loved that manly, dark natural fragrance.
Mercy ripped his gaze away from Ford’s gorgeous face and looked down. The first plan was exactly how he’d envisioned his bakery. Powder blues, cotton candy pinks, bright yellows, and hints of mint greens. The layout was amazing, and Mercy