by Lynn Hagen
Still, Ford’s gut told him to check on the mates. “Upstairs. Follow me.”
Ford shot up the stairs when he heard Mercy scream. Lincoln was right behind him, the two bursting into the apartment. Ford’s heart came to a skidding halt when he saw Vladimir standing there with his hand wrapped around Mercy’s throat.
The vampire spun, placing Mercy in front of him. “Not another step.”
Red was on the floor, unmoving. Lincoln shifted into his Bengal tiger form, snarling as he eased toward his mate.
Vladimir’s eyes were focused on Ford. Ford’s gaze was on Mercy. Then the smell hit him. Ford scented the air. Blood. He quickly looked Mercy over, but his mate didn’t seem to have any injuries.
He noticed a dark stain on Vladimir’s shirt. Blood dripped from the hem.
“Your boy caught me off guard,” Vladimir said. “It seems I should have waited another minute until he’d put his knife down.”
Ford saw the kitchen knife on the floor, covered in blood. There were also the remains of what looked like a salad. Vladimir had surprised Ford’s mate while Mercy was cutting something for his salad.
“He’ll pay for stabbing me.” Vladimir’s smile was cruel and cold. “Just like his other boyfriend paid for harassing your boy. Say thank you for getting rid of the trash.”
Who was Vladimir talking about? Lloyd? Had the crazy vampire killed Lloyd? Ford couldn’t think of anyone else Vladimir could have been referring to.
“You killed Lloyd?” Mercy’s eyes widened.
“Was that his name?” Vladimir shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
This was why the Ultionem had sent Ford after Vladimir. The guy killed indiscriminately, with no regard for life or whether that person even deserved such a harsh fate. It was as if it was all a game to him.
Ford wasn’t going to waste his breath with words. No matter what Ford said, nothing would matter. You couldn’t try and talk reason with a dangerous lunatic. The only thing he could do was get Mercy away from the bastard and then kill him.
“Let him go. Just you and me.” Ford rolled his shoulders. “Afraid I’ll spank that ass?” He had to get Vladimir angry enough to release Mercy and accept the challenge.
Lincoln watched them, his tiger standing over Red, who was finally moving, groaning as he clutched his head.
“How’re you doing over there?” Ford asked.
“Making out with the floor,” Red moaned. “It packs one hell of a kiss. My jaw hurts.”
Lincoln slid a little to the right, anticipating an opening. Ford took up a boxing stance, smirking at Vladimir. “Don’t have the guts?”
Ford was tense. He was playing a dangerous game that could backfire. Vladimir could snap Mercy’s neck with ease. Ford wouldn’t be able to get to his mate fast enough.
Vladimir bared his fangs. “You think I’m afraid of a shifter?” He said the last word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
But Ford’s plan worked. Vladimir tossed Mercy aside. As soon as Mercy was clear, Lincoln pounced, as did Ford. He’d shifted midstride, bearing down on Vladimir before the vampire realized his mistake.
Before Vladimir realized that Ford had sent him right into a trap, he tried to jerk to his left, but Lincoln cut him off, tackling the vampire. It helped that Vladimir was already injured, losing blood fast from Mercy’s attack.
The wound had crippled Vladimir. He looked paler, and his moves were a lot slower than they should have been. That was the only reason Ford and Lincoln had gotten the drop on him.
Lincoln backed off as Ford went in for the kill, ripping Vladimir to pieces. He shifted back into his human form, backing away. Ford looked down at his mate. Mercy was on all fours, the knife in his hand.
“Just in case he got away from the two of you.” Mercy dropped the knife and flew into Ford’s arms. Ford crushed his mate to him.
“Did he hurt you?”
Mercy pulled back. “No, but he backhanded Red pretty hard.” Mercy ran to Red and dropped to his knees. “Did he rattle your brain?”
His mate talked slow and loud, as if Red were daft.
Ford rolled his eyes as Lincoln shifted and helped Red to his feet, examining him.
“I think he dropped my IQ by a few points.” Red held his head. “Nothing a hot shower and some loving won’t cure.”
Lincoln gave a low, throaty growl before he turned to Ford. “You’ve got some damn explaining to do, bear. Tell me Mercy is out of danger.”
Ford pulled his mate back into his arms. Lincoln might be his brother, but Ford didn’t like the tiger shifter standing there naked. “As far as I know, but in our world, you can never say for certain.”
“Next time there is a threat, you better call me,” Lincoln said as he looked around. “Now I need some damn clothes to put on before I walk out of here.”
“I think you look perfect.” Red grinned.
“I need to bleach my ears.” Mercy grimaced. “Stop making me imagine Lincoln having sex before I go blind.”
That made no sense to Ford, but he chuckled anyway. God he loved his mate. Trouble might come their way in the future. Ford had made plenty of enemies, but it was nice to know that he now had family he could rely on to have his back. It was a feeling that was foreign to Ford. It had been just him for so long. Him and the lonely road. The idea of setting down roots no longer bothered him.
In fact, Ford was looking forward to running Sweet Mercy with his mate, getting to know the townsfolk, and putting that lonely existence behind him.
* * * *
Mercy bubbled with excitement as his very first customer walked out the door, a dozen maple cinnamon rolls in a box under his arm.
His very first sale!
Okay, so it had been Lincoln who’d bought them, but it was still a sale, and Mercy felt accomplished.
Red had created a website for the business. Ford had put fliers up all over town. Lincoln had promised to come in every morning because he missed Mercy’s baking.
“Damn these are good.” Ford came from the kitchen, licking his fingers.
“Stop eating everything before I have nothing to sell!” Freaking bears and their sweet tooth. Ford had sampled everything Mercy had made. He had no clue how Ford was still hungry.
“I can’t help it.” Ford winked at him, sending Mercy’s heart into overdrive. “You’re an amazing baker.”
And Ford was an amazing mate. Of course Mercy tried not to think about how Ford had torn that vampire apart. Mercy still had nightmares about the carnage, but he wasn’t heartless. He felt bad about the way Lloyd had died, although his ex had treated him like complete shit.
But Mercy tried not to dwell on that. He had an incredible life now, and he was finally happy.
“After we close up shop this evening, what do you say to dinner by the lake?” Ford bounced his brows. “Maybe toss a Frisbee around.”
Mercy couldn’t possibly love Ford as much as he did right now. Lloyd had never wanted to do any of those things. It was as if Mercy was finally understanding what a good guy was like.
“We can grab some food from Bent Spoon and have a picnic.” Now Mercy was looking forward to closing time, and he’d just opened up for the day. He was also glad he would be able to go back to his favorite diner.
“Anything you want.” Ford cupped Mercy’s cheek. “I’ll do anything to make you happy, my sweet Mercy. I’d give you the stars and moon if that’s what you wanted.”
Mercy’s breath hitched. “Tell me it’ll always be like this between us. Tell me I’m not dreaming, that you’re real.”
Ford gave Mercy a light, gentle pinch on his arm. “I was thinking the very same thing. You couldn’t possibly be real, Mercy.”
Mercy grinned. “We better not start pinching each other. Our customers might frown if they find us bruised up.”
Ford threw his head back and laughed. It was the best sound in the world. “Then we’ll just have to trust that each other is real.”
Afraid he just might cry with how happy
he was, Mercy hugged Ford. He only pulled back when Fire Chief Dalton Knowles walked in. He gave a low whistle. “This shop is amazing.”
“Thanks.” Mercy beamed. Red’s idea of blending the plans had been a huge success. It was a mix of old and new, something Mercy would’ve never thought to do.
That was why Red had free baked goods for life.
Not Lincoln. His brother could pack it away, and like Ford, his brother would eat all his profits.
“What can I get for you?” Mercy bounced on his heels.
“I’ll take four coffees to go, plus a dozen maple cinnamon rolls. Toss in a few eclairs, too.”
After Chief Knowles left, more people came in a steady stream. The police station damn near wiped out all the cinnamon rolls, and Mercy had to make more while Ford manned the counter. Later that day, a Little League team came in and cleared out the donuts Mercy had made.
His first day was a huge success.
Mercy’s dream had come true. He thought about his mom as he cleaned up, smiling at how proud she would have been, though she’d always been proud of him.
She’d told him that constantly.
Ford came into the kitchen, a bag with Styrofoam containers inside. “Fried chicken and fries for our picnic.”
“Let me run and get a blanket.” Mercy tossed the rag aside and raced upstairs, pinching himself just to make sure that Ford was really real.
And he was, proving that even though Mercy had suffered through a horrible relationship, there was always better out there. Whether a person went looking for it or it fell into their lap didn’t matter. The wait was well worth it.
THE END
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