Page 77 of Palace of Betrayal

“I don’t blame her. Can you believe The Collector had all those losing bidders killed?”

“Luckily, we managed to save a few and they’re being interrogated by the teams. The other bodies were destroyed by the missile strike and fire, and I think their deaths are being kept a secret for now.”

Mercy smoothed her hands down her skirt, her tiny frame accentuating her small curves. “That makes sense.”

“I understand you have Liam Hayes and Kirk Reid from Eidolon as backup if you need it. Leo and I are only an island hop away as well if you need us.”

“Yes, I didn’t know they’d be on this operation, but honestly, it’s nice to know we have them as backup.”

“I don’t think Roz was comfortable with us being here alone, so she brought Jack and his team in as backup in case we needed it.”

“Well, I, for one, am happy about it.”

Bebe gripped her friend’s hands, studying her and finding she looked stronger, more of her old self showing from the dust of her life, at least professionally. Personally, she knew it would take a very special person for Mercy to ever trust enough to be vulnerable again. “Be safe, my friend.”

Luca, who’d walked closer, laid his hand against Mercy’s lower back in a possessive and deeply intimate way. “You have my word that I won’t let anything happen to her on my watch.”

Mercy frowned and stepped away from him, putting distance between them. “I don’t need saving. I’m not some weak child. I’m capable and smart, so stop treating me as if I’ll break.”

Bebe was taken aback by her friend’s outburst but also glad to see her spirit rising again. Yes, indeed. It would take a very special man.

Luca winked at Mercy who ignored it and faced Bebe. Mercy had this, of that she had no doubt.

Leo took her hand and faced Luca and Mercy. “We’ll leave you to it, but if you need anything, please call. A phone call between us wouldn’t seem out of the realms of possibility and shouldn’t raise suspicion.”

Leo offered his hand to Luca who shook it and then did the same to Mercy. Bebe gave her friend a hug and shook Luca’s hand.

“Be safe.”

With that, they got into the black jeep with blacked-out windows and headed back to Soflye. Two hours later, as their private jet took off, Bebe looked down at the blue sea and sighed.

Warm skin touched her as she felt Leo’s hand cover hers. “What is it?”

Her gaze locked on his green eyes, and she wondered how she’d gotten so lucky. “You could’ve died.”

His eyes softened and he scooted closer to draw her over the seat across his lap. His hands and arms wrapped around her tightly, and he brushed his nose along her jaw. “I didn’t though.”

“You should have told me your mask wasn’t working properly.” This had been playing on her mind since the previous night when they’d barely escaped with their lives.

“You needed to try and save those people.”

“Not more than I wanted you safe.”

His lips peppered her skin with kisses, and she sighed into him, her body becoming pliant as she let go of her anger at him. “I know you wanted to do what was right and save the people you could. I never want you to feel like you’ve failed because no matter what, you’re the best, most selfless person I know, and I love you more than I can ever express.”

“I’m going to speak to someone I know about getting some counselling so I can let go of my past hang-ups. I also thought I might track down my parents and have a face-to-face and tell them how they made me feel but I’m not sure about that yet.”

“Whatever you need, I’m here for all of it. You have a family, Bebe. With me and my father as soon as I can get a ring on that gorgeous finger, and with Zenobi and the friends you have there. They love and adore you. They see your value. Your parents don’t deserve you, but if you want to find them, I’ll be with you, standing beside you as you let them have it.”

“I love you, Leo.”

“And I love you, my Queen.”

Bebe laughed. “Not yet.”

“Now and always you’ll be my Queen and I’ll humbly thank the gods that I found you.”

Epilogue