Devin's Mercy [Shifters of Mystery 4] (22 page)

152

Lynn Hagen

“She isn’t answering.” Sage threw his cell phone across the yard.

“If he hurt her, I’ll kill him.”

Mercy became frustrated when he couldn’t identify where Sam

was. The room didn’t have anything in particular that stood out. It

was just an ordinary basement like any other basement. It could be

anywhere.

“At least we can keep an eye on him,” Isaac said. “Maybe Martin

will fuck up and we’ll figure out where he is.”

“Or maybe we can find someone who can trace the feed,”

Jeremiah stated. “I won’t just sit here and watch that man being

tortured, hoping for clues. Whether anyone has figured it out or not,

that’s Pat’s mate. We can’t just sit by and let him die.”

“You’re right, J,” Sage said. “I’ll make some phone calls and see

if I can’t track someone down who knows about this shit.”

Mercy closed his laptop when the front door opened. Pat stood

there, looking at each man. “Did you find him?”

Mercy didn’t want to lie to Pat, but he was not about to let the

man see Sam online, in some sort of sick and twisted torture game.

Pat wouldn’t survive. As feisty and sharp-tongued as the man was, Pat

was a sensitive man. This would send him into madness.

“We’re working on it, hon,” Jeremiah answered. Mercy could see

that Jeremiah was just as uncomfortable with lying as Mercy was.

“Thank you,” Pat said before walking back into the house.

Mercy cursed. “We have to get him out of there, Sage.”

“I know.” Sage walked across the lawn and retrieved his phone.

Mercy sat outside for a long time, even after the other men went

inside. He thought about how sick Martin had to be in order to

webcast Sam being tortured and wondered what the man had done to

Devin.

It was a wonder that Devin wasn’t mad.

The door opened, and Devin walked out. “There you are.”

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153

Mercy held his hand out and Devin took it, taking a seat on the

step next to him. “Are you going to tell me what made you run from

the dining room?”

Mercy wrapped an arm around Devin, pulling him close and

thanking whoever was listening that Devin had survived Martin. “It’s

best if you don’t know.”

Devin nodded.

God, the man trusted him so much. Mercy never wanted to do

anything to betray that trust. Devin was finally healing. He didn’t

want to set the man back by telling him about the website, so he left it

alone.

Hopefully one day Devin could be himself again. Until then, it

was Mercy’s job to protect the man he planned on claiming when the

full moon rose once more.

“I figured your notes out and organized them for you. You owe

me big-time for that mess.”

Mercy chuckled. “I can think of many ways to repay you.”

Devin eyed Mercy suspiciously. “Another cock cage?”

Mercy groaned when he thought of how good Devin looked with

his cock bound. “No, I was thinking more along the lines of silk

scarves and beads.”

“I’m not even going to ask.” Devin stood. “It’s late. Are you

coming inside?”

Mercy grabbed his laptop and followed Devin inside. “I want to

take you clothes shopping tomorrow. Although you look damn good

wearing my clothes, you have to be tired of them falling off of you.”

Devin looked surprised. “You’d do that for me?”

“Yes,” Mercy answered. “You are mine, tiger. I plan on taking

very good care of you.”

“I don’t need you to do that,” Devin complained. “Just get me a

few things, and I’ll pay you back when our business is up and

running. Which reminds me, I’m going to pay you back for my half of

the investment.”

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Lynn Hagen

Mercy didn’t argue. He knew how important it was for Devin to

feel like he was contributing something around here. The man was

slowly coming back to his old self, and Mercy would do whatever it

took to make sure Devin stayed on the road to recovery. “Deal.”

Mercy stilled when he smelled fresh baked cookies coming from

the kitchen. “Is Pat baking?”

Devin nodded. “He seems to be in some sort of baking mode.

There is a plate piled high—”

Mercy took off before Devin could even finish speaking. If there

was one thing about Mercy that everyone knew, it was the fact that he

loved to eat. He growled when he spotted Monterey in the kitchen,

tearing through the plate of cookies. “Greedy pig.”

Monterey chuckled. “Like you don’t plan on doing the same

thing.”

Mercy did. He just didn’t like the fact that Monterey beat him to

the kitchen. “Why are you baking so late?” Mercy asked right before

he shoveled two cookies into his mouth. He moaned when the

chocolate chips melted on his tongue.

“I’m worried and scared,” Pat answered as he opened the oven

and pulled the cookie sheet out. “I cook when I’m worried. By the

time Sam is brought home, you guys just might be three hundred

pounds.”

Mercy could live with that. He knew a great way of working the

food off. He grinned, thinking about having Devin writhing under

him. Fuck if that wasn’t an erotic image.

“Eat up, gentlemen. I have oodles of ingredients to use,” Pat said

as he grabbed the large jar of peanut butter.

Mercy drooled at the thought of peanut butter cookies. “Can you

make some lasagna?”

“Sure,” Pat answered. “Any reason why?”

“Devin loves your pasta.”

Pat smiled. “If I remember correctly, it was my stuffed manicotti

that he loved the most. I’ll make some for dinner tomorrow night.”

Devin’s Mercy

155

“Thanks,” Mercy said as he grabbed an empty plate and piled it

high with cookies. “I’ll be back. Don’t let Monterey eat everything

you bake.”

“As worried as I am, there will be plenty.”

Mercy thought about the website and hurried from the kitchen,

guilt eating away at him. He could tell Pat that he knew where Sam

was, and that the man was alive, but then that would create a whole

new set of problems Mercy wasn’t willing to place on Pat’s shoulders.

He left Pat to his baking, praying they found Sam in time before

Martin upped the ante. If Sam died before they could find him, Mercy

would never forgive himself for lying to Pat and taking away his last

chance at seeing Sam alive.

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Lynn Hagen

Devin walked around the small department store, looking at the

racks of clothing surrounding him. He was never a shopper. As a

matter of fact, he hated to shop. But he knew wearing Mercy’s clothes

wasn’t going to cut it. He needed some things that were going to fit,

not fall off of him.

“See anything you like?” Mercy asked as he walked to another

rack, pulling out a shirt that made Devin’s nose turn up.

“I don’t think so.”

Mercy grinned. “I’m not sure what you like to wear.”

“Jeans and T-shirts are just fine.”

Mercy shook his head as he replaced the shirt on the rack. “Even

though it’s early spring, you are going to need some sweaters as

well.”

“Hoodies will do.” He glanced over at the wall on the far side of

the store, spotting the cubbyholes filled with denim. Devin walked

over to them, glancing around until he found his size. He was tempted

to grab four pair of the same jeans, but knew Mercy would have a fit.

The man seemed determined to take care of Devin, no matter

Devin’s protest. He needed Mercy as his anchor, his safe haven, but

having the man financially care for him was something Devin was

never going to get used to.

He smiled when he felt two strong arms wrap around his waist,

Mercy pulling him back to lean against a solid chest. “You better not

grab the same pair, tiger.”

Did he know the man or what? “I was thinking about it.”

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157

Mercy nipped his shoulder. “Not going to happen. Let me see

your size.”

Devin handed over the pair of jeans in his hand, hearing Mercy

sigh. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to fatten you up if it’s the last thing I do. You are too

damn thin.”

Devin wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not. It wasn’t his

fault Martin had kept him on a strict diet of eating only a few times a

week, enough to ensure Devin didn’t die of starvation.

“I’m not making fun of you, tiger. I love everything about you.

But it isn’t healthy to be so thin.” Mercy moved away, grabbing a few

more pairs of jeans in various styles. Devin had to admit, he liked

Mercy’s taste in clothing.

“Now let’s get you some shirts and underwear.”

Hell if Devin didn’t feel like a kid as he followed Mercy around

the store. He wasn’t used to anyone shopping for him, and honestly,

he was glad he didn’t have to be the one rummaging through the

racks.

Again, he hated shopping.

Once Mercy had picked out a couple of outfits for Devin,

including socks and underwear, they headed toward the register. He

was happy as hell they were finished. Devin was hungry, and Mercy

had promised him lunch.

“Where are we going to eat?” Devin asked as he watched Mercy

toss a watch and a wallet onto the counter. He hadn’t even seen the

man pick those items up.

“There is a restaurant a few blocks down. We can eat there. But I

don’t want to be out in public too long. This is Mayfield County, too

close to Mystery, and too dangerous to linger in.”

“We can just go home and have lunch there.” Devin agreed with

Mercy. He didn’t want to run into anyone who was after them. He

knew Charles was from Mayfield County, and that was the last person

Devin wanted to see.

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Lynn Hagen

“Nope, I promised you lunch, and I keep my promises.”

Devin knew it was futile to argue with Mercy. Once the man made

up his mind, there was no changing it. The man was like a pit bull

with a bone.

He grabbed some of the bags, Mercy carrying the bulk as they

headed out to Mercy’s truck. Devin slid the bags behind the seat and

then climbed in. He may hate shopping, but he wasn’t going to deny

that he was happy to have new clothes. He couldn’t wait to try them

on.

Mercy drove the few blocks, parking in front of a family-style

restaurant. Devin was glad the place didn’t look too busy. He was

scared to be out in the open, and having a packed restaurant wasn’t

something he had looked forward to.

“Come here, tiger.” Mercy grabbed Devin’s hand, pulling him to

his side as they walked in. Heads turned, watching them as they took

a seat in a booth. Devin noticed that Mercy was keeping his back to

the wall. The man was watching not only the door, but everyone in

the place.

That only made Devin even more nervous.

They ordered their food and sat there in relative silence as they

ate. Watching Mercy watch everyone was fraying Devin’s nerves.

“Can we go?”

Mercy’s grey eyes snapped to Devin. “Why? You haven’t finished

eating yet.”

Devin pushed his plate away. “I don’t like it here.” He was five

seconds away from begging when Mercy nodded. Devin was relieved.

He got up from the booth, heading toward the register.

“Everything all right?” the lady asked as she waited for Devin and

Mercy’s waitress to bring her the check. Once she rung them up,

Devin made a beeline toward the door. He wasn’t sure why the open

space was frightening him, but he found himself heading straight for

Mercy’s truck.

“Slow down, tiger,” Mercy called after him.

Devin’s Mercy

159

Devin slowed, but didn’t stop. An overwhelming need to get

inside the cab was making his feet move quickly along.

Mercy unlocked the doors, and Devin climbed inside.

“Care to tell me what that was all about?” Mercy asked as he

started the engine.

“I’m not sure,” Devin replied. “I felt too exposed inside the

restaurant.”

Mercy didn’t say anything as he drove them back home. Devin

felt like a complete and utter wuss. He couldn’t even enjoy lunch with

the man he loved without freaking out. Was this how his life was

going to be now? Outside of Mystery, Devin felt as if the world was

closing in on him. He didn’t want to ever leave their town again.

“It was just a panic attack,” Mercy said as they drove down

Highway 114. “This is the first time you have ventured outside of