24
H e should’ve finished a while back, but as long as he was away from the girls and the Larsens he could get some work done without getting distracted. Angel leaned back in his chair as the man behind him worked on his hair and switched on his phone. He was wearing an earphone when he dialed the number and heard it ring through his right ear.
Angel’s eyes snapped up to his reflection in the mirror as the man behind him finished up and moved away – possibly from the look he’d cast to get him to stop. His hair had calmed into a mess of curls after being washed, thankfully away from his eyes as the phone rang two more times.
And clicked.
He jerked up in his seat, his gaze averting down to his phone as he heard the person on the other end breathe out,
“So?” Angel snapped, making sure to keep his voice low when his patience snapped, “Is he alive?”
The man on the other end cleared his throat, “He was barely alive when he got to the hospital. They beat the shit out of him, but he hasn’t spoken. Says he knows nothing.”
Angel rubbed his brows, “I’m asking if he’s alive. That’s all.”
“Yes. He is, you can come see him tomorrow.”
“No,” Angel interrupted, “I’ll be there tonight. I need to get all information before I walk into a live trap.”
“The hospital’s going to be closed tonight,” he started, and Angel clicked his tongue, shutting him up immediately ,
“Just tell me where he is, I’ll handle everything else.”
“How?” his voice shook, in fear or dread, Angel couldn’t tell, “I can’t text you.”
“Fucking send a pigeon– I don’t care . Don’t get anyone else involved, or I’ll seriously kill you doc.”
“I swear to God, kids these days…”
Click.
Angel breathed out as the man returned from where he’d disappeared to remove the black cape and patted his hair down one last time. He was larger and taller than Angel was. He was also bulkier, muscular and could possibly kill Angel with one blow, but that didn’t matter when he jumped off his seat and looked at his hair, satisfied immensely.
He turned to face the bald man with a small grin, “You’re saying this was all complimentary with a shave?”
Yes, of course he’d gotten a fucking shave.
The man nodded briskly and said in the most monotonous tone Angel had ever heard, “Gifts from the ladies who came with you.”
Angel’s brow quirked, but he didn’t believe him for a single second.
Sure, Ray might’ve offered to order more services for him, but it couldn’t be without reason. Not when he could see her standing at the doorway with her new hair and her phone in her hand. Angel’s interest piqued but he turned to the man and saw his nametag, smiling politely as he shook his hand,
“Thank you for the great work, Van.”
Those eyes narrowed, “That’s Mr. Diaz for you, boy.” Van said gruffly and Angel laughed softly in surprise,
“Alright. Thank you, Mr. Diaz. ”
He hummed in satisfaction before turning on his heels to stride away from him. Angel turned away from him as well, his fingers already dialing a specific redhead’s number as he saw Ray’s brows furrow. His earphone rang as he saw her newly highlighted hair.
The blue that had been disappearing with the sheer darkness in her hair now stood like an ocean. Those waves were heavy and framed her upper body as she leaned forward. They barely reached the middle of her back, but Angel couldn’t help but feel a bit delirious as he thought about how those soft strands would feel. Especially when he sunk his hands in their depths and hauled her closer–
“Yo.”
Mia’s voice was such an unwelcome distraction, that Angel grunted in surprise, his mood ruined,
“How may I help you?” she asked, undeterred by his unusual response, “Are you dying somewhere?”
“Christ,” Angel snapped, “ No, why would your mind go there– you know what? Don’t care. Just run something for me. See if you can get us into the hospital tonight.”
“Who’s us?” Mia asked, the clicking of her keyboard already filling his ears, “Are we all going?”
Angel shook his head, “No it’s just me. And Christina if she’d want to.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
Click.
He blinked and looked up to see Ray’s eyes already on his. Angel grinned, pocketing his phone as he removed the earphone from his ear and put it back in his pocket as well .
Her chin tipped upwards as he neared her slowly, making sure to show her that his eyes were on her hair. Angel could swear he saw a light flush rise in her cheeks and was about to comment on it when a sweet voice yelled from the other end,
“Alright! She’s done!”
Ray turned away from him immediately, and Angel followed her gaze, his own eyes widening as he saw Ira step past the woman who was beaming at them. His jaw slackened at the complete change, his previous thoughts suddenly aimless as he saw the younger girl step forward. Ray was having a similar reaction as Ira shrugged, her hands in her pockets as she pouted,
“Well?” she asked softly, and Angel’s lips broke into a grin as he sidled close to Ray.
“Well kid,” he started and saw her glare. Took it with a widened grin, “You look great.”
Ira grunted in response, but Angel saw the happy gleam in her eyes. Was about to say something but she turned to Ray, gauging out her reaction.
Ray remained quiet beside him.
Silent for long moments that Angel took another step closer to touch his hand against her softly as he leaned forward to peer at her eyes.
Utter surprise rendered him frozen as he saw the sheen in her eyes. The way she was blinking it away abruptly as she pulled away from him. Angel’s brows furrowed as he stood back and Ray took a step forward, a smile grazing her lips,
“You look killer Ira.” She said softly, “Do you like it?”
Ira’s expression was nothing like the one she’d given Angel. It was far more of everything. He saw it. Sometimes he wondered if Ray did too. Ira dipped her chin, sucking in a breath before replying quietly ,
“I love it.”
Ray huffed out a laugh but turned to face the other woman instead. The woman who’d done Ira’s hair, he guessed as Ray reached forward to shake her hand,
“Thank you so much for this.”
The woman smiled, “That’s no problem. Here’s your card.” She handed the credit card to Ray, which she pocketed immediately. Angel smirked, rocking back on his heels as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He didn’t remove the device just yet. Kept his attention on Ray as she thanked the woman again and turned to Ira with an odd gleam in her eyes,
“You wanna head out to the amusement park now?” she asked, and Ira visibly brightened, a rare sort of flush appearing in her pale cheeks as she nodded her head. Ray turned to face Angel, and he tilted his head as that gaze matched his.
“Cameron and Neera are already there.” She said softly and Angel hummed, “Shall we?”
He was aware his entire demeanor was twinkling as he grinned back at her, “We shall.”
Their walk out to their bikes and the amusement park was quieter than what he’d been expecting. Was almost peaceful until they reached the bustling gates of the newly built place.
Angel parked his bike on one end and removed his helmet, seeing Ira and Ray do the same beside him. The loud chatter of strangers filled the air around them, but he was close enough to hear the words Ray whispered in Ira’s ears,
“Stay close to me.” She said and paused, “Or Angel. Either of us wouldn’t let any harm come to you. ”
A warm feeling rushed into his heart, but Angel kept his gaze averted as he removed his phone from his pocket. Saw the message from Mia and smirked,
Andrews: Done.
“Oh,” Ray’s surprised voice drew him out of his thoughts, and he snapped up. His eyes widened as he caught a lock of golden-brown hair glint in the sunlight, “Cameron. Hey! Neera!”
The shorter girl turned on her heels from beside Cameron while the other boy did the same, his ebony eyes going wide as he caught them. He waved at them, and Angel waved back, getting off his bike as he did so.
“Well.” Ray said from beside him, “Let’s go have fun?”
Angel smiled, seeing her skin flush with the sunlight as Ira followed her tow, “Sure, Storm,” he said and watched as she stopped short at those words. Fought a grin as she shot him a glare,
“Let’s go have some fun.”
* *
Ray should have been exhausted. After the long days she’d left behind her, she should have been back at the beach, sound asleep in the sand with a bottle of beer at her side. That’s what she’d wanted to do. Instead, here she was. In a place where a million people seemed to have the same idea. Surrounded by people who were doing their very best to attract–
“ROLLARCOASTER!”
Attention.
Ray groaned out loud, faltering back a step as Jack whooped and jumped in the air, encouraged by the yells of everyone else.
She would’ve bailed if it weren’t for Ira, who had stuck by Jack ever since he’d gotten here .
Apparently, Ray was a class A loser and Jack was far more excited about it than she was. As evidence, the younger girl’s small chuckle filled the air beside Jack and Christina.
She couldn’t really feel bad for herself, not when Ira was opening up to the rest of them. She’d been especially interested in Neera, who had stared at Ira until she’d been forced to look away. Still, Ray could see the soft glances she shot Neera, and the way Neera seemed to step farther away from her in reaction. She was also aware of how Angel lingered at her side despite his entire friend group being here. And how his amber eyes seemed to burn through the side of her head as they wove through the crowd.
“You’re staring.” Ray deadpanned without looking at him. She tucked her hands in the pocket of her overalls as Angel’s chuckle filled the air beside her.
“Want me to stop?”
No.
“Yes.”
Angel clicked his tongue but continued staring. Ray groaned low, deep in her throat as she ripped her gaze away from Ira, “What?” she snapped.
He shrugged, looking awfully calm as he turned away from her. Ray grit her teeth, her mind flashing with the images from last night. Especially with the way his cut-throat jaw flexed as he thought of a response. Ray gulped, some of her irritation fading.
“Let’s go!”
Both, hers and Angel’s gaze snapped ahead. Luke called out to them again, but Ray shook her head when she saw what they were pointing at, taking a step back as well .
“No,” she said, shaking her head as she pressed her lips together, “There’s no way I’m getting on that death trap.”
Angel’s brows shot up from beside her, but she only frowned when Neera signed Ray’s words and Cameron’s shoulders shook in muted laughter.
“Afraid Walker?” Angel asked slyly beside her, signing the words as he said them out loud for Cameron. Ray shot him a glare, taking another step away from the group when she saw Jack advance in her direction,
“I’m not going.” She snapped, and Jack’s lips broke into a shit-eating grin,
“You are scared.”
Ray scoffed but made sure to sign her words as she continued, “Of course I’m fucking scared. I hate roller coasters. So no, I’m not getting on.”
“Bad memories?” Luke added from beside Jack, his arms crossed as he grinned down at her as well. She bristled in annoyance but chose to shoot him a sweet smile,
“Yes,” she said, “Want me to make some for you?”
“How bad are we talking here?” Jack cackled, their entire conversation being signed by Neera, who’s expression remained dead serious, “Because I would like in.”
Ray rolled her eyes and turned to Cameron who was laughing silently at their words, “Firstly, gross.” Jack gasped dramatically, stumbling back as Christina cackled beside him and Ira smiled a rueful smile, “Secondly, I’m. Not. Going.”
“Fine, be that way.” Jack said, moving to stand beside Ira, “You’ll go kid?” he asked her, and Ira’s eyes turned to Ray in question. She shrugged in response. This place was pretty tight, with no one who’d bother them because everyone knew who they were. Especially with that blue band on Ira’s wrist .
“It’s up to you.” She said and bit back a smile as Ira visibly brightened. A hint of doubt crept into Ray’s mind, and she didn’t know what went through her mind at that moment, but she turned to Angel who was eyeing her with a grin on his lips and–
Dimples.
Ray blinked past it, “Are you going on?” she asked, and his eyes glinted under the sunlight, widening at the hidden question.
Will you go to keep her safe?
“Do you want me to?” he asked softly, and Ray shrugged, even as her heart pounded in her chest at the way he leaned further towards her.
“Your wish.”
Yes.
“Consider the wish granted, Storm,” Angel murmured, his smile subduing as he turned to Ira and the rest of them. Mia hadn’t come along, and Ray hadn’t asked why. But the others were almost jumping in excitement when they’d gotten here.
Someone tapped her shoulder and Ray turned to her side, knowing that it was Cameron. His eyes had softened under the sun, his expression morphed into the calmest she’d ever seen him be when he signed,
“I’ll stay with.” He said and Ray shook her head, waving her hands in the air.
“No, no,” she signed back and saw him frown, “You go enjoy. I’m sure you love roller coasters.”
Cameron gazed down at her calmly, a smile touching the corner of his lips at her words. She knew he lived for roller coasters. For that rush of wind and adrenaline. But today he shook his head ,
“I’ll stay.” He signed back and Ray sighed, a bit relieved that she wasn’t going to be left alone. Maybe he could tell she needed to talk to him. And after dealing with all that she had in the salon, Ray didn’t know if she could be left alone for the time being.
A touch of warmth seeped through her arm then, and somehow Ray didn’t have to turn to know who sidled closer. Cameron, however, noticed the silent motion, and looked down at her.
His narrowed eyes should’ve made her flinch but then Angel was leaning over her shoulder and was too close to her ear.
“Want me to stay?”
Butterflies erupted in her stomach, bringing with them a trail of goosebumps up her arm as his breath tickled her ear.
Cameron’s eyes narrowed further, his brows turning into a frown as Angel’s soft laugh climbed up her spine and grabbed the back of her throat. A sudden rush of thrill and heat ran down her body.
“Go with Ira, Raven,” Ray managed to say, proud of herself at her steady voice when Angel took a step away from her, taking his warmth with him. She kept her gaze averted from Cameron’s though, still feeling a bit faint as Angel said in a low voice behind her,
“Don’t stray too far, Storm,”
Only she heard those words, which is why she turned on her heels and faced him head-on. His amber eyes flashed at her sudden movement, a wry grin twitching his lips as she crossed her arms,
“You don’t tell me what to do.” She snapped, a thread of patience stretched thin as he inclined his chin and moved away from her,
“Just don’t stray too far from me. ”
He echoed and went behind the disappearing figures of Ira and Jack behind him. Ray’s jaw clenched, her hands fisting in the pocket of her jeans when she saw Neera take a step in front of her, acutely followed by Cameron.
Both glaring.
Ray rolled her eyes as Cameron signed furiously, “What.”
She waved her hand, dismissing the entire thing by walking away. It was good too, because her facade didn’t last long.
A look of horror crossed her face, a wave of heat washing over her cheeks as she strode ahead. Ray made a beeline for the open restaurant she saw, brushing past the huddle of people to slam her fist down on the counter. The man standing on the opposite side, jumped in surprise, a look of distaste crossing his face at her action.
She didn’t really care. Just said the first thing that popped into her mind.
“A Gin tonic please.”
The man’s eyes narrowed and she sighed, but then saw his eyes shift behind hers. Cameron must’ve been glaring because the man cleared his throat and moved to prepare the drink immediately.
“A cosmo for me,” Neera added gruffly, “And a long island for this guy here.”
Cameron took personal offense to that, but Neera didn’t budge.
“Three burgers and three cheese fries,” she continued, and Ray rolled her eyes turning to see Cameron tap Neera’s shoulder endlessly. The smaller girl didn’t bat an eye before continuing, “Put that all on her card.”
“You can pay after eating.” The man murmured but took down their order nonetheless. Neera nodded and slapped Cameron’s hand away, turning to weave through the crowd to catch a table before someone else could .
Ray and Cameron shared an exasperated glance but followed her nonetheless.
Neera had taken a seat on the inside and Ray slid in the opposite chair while Cameron sat beside Neera. She laced her hands together, leaning forward as she waited for them to settle. They settled far too quickly, because suddenly Ray was aware of their hell bent stares and was going to start sweating because of the stress.
Cameron’s fist thumped against the wooden table making it shudder as Ray’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing, “What?” she signed and said at the same time.
“Want to explain what’s going on?” Neera’s smooth voice broke through their conversation, her tone nowhere near kind. To Ray’s relief she was speaking a foreign tongue, one they’d decided upon in public. It might attract attention, but they’d learnt to keep their voices low by now.
“The plan’s progressing.”
Cameron shook his head, but took her shift in the topic mercifully, “Even after the ambush?” he signed and Ray nodded, a sudden sense of rage flowing through her at the thought of what she learned just a few hours back.
“There might be new players.” She signed and said in a low voice, “And unexpected ones.”
Cameron’s brows furrowed but they were interrupted by one of the waiters coming by and dropping their drinks and food. Ray immediately grabbed her gin and tonic and took a sip. Suddenly refreshed, Ray grabbed a French fry and continued signing with one hand,
“They’ve done a lot of damage. Nothing short of ours, but damage nonetheless. ”
Cameron’s nod was thoughtful as he grabbed his burger and took a large bite. Neera on the other end, chose to take a sip of her drink and slump back in her seat, “How’s the prep for tomorrow working out?”
Ray lifted a shoulder, even as her heart pounded in her chest at the mere thought of the alliance being announced, “It’s working. The event’s ready.”
“And the fires?”
A grin touched the side of her lips, “Handled.”
“Perfect.” She mumbled and grabbed her burger. Ray was about to respond when a sudden white flash blinded her vision. She flinched back, a wave of déjà vu washing over her as she snapped her head out the window in an attempt to find out who–
Oh shit.
Ira’s grin was blinding. Just like the mirror she was holding in her hand.
The younger girl was flushed from excitement, but a sudden course of dread flowed through Ray at her previous actions. It had been her at the beach. Her who’d pressed that note in her hand.
Her who killed –
No.
There was no way Ira had murdered June Kincaid that night. Because if she had, Maya would have known. Or would she have? Ray released a harsh breath, suddenly facing the reality of Ira’s fate.
Ray grit her teeth, her eyes catching Ira’s once again. The younger girl must’ve seen something in her expression because her mirror lowered, her smile dimming .
Ray’s heart cracked but she rose her hand in a half wave, forcing herself to grin despite her racing thoughts. Ira’s brows lowered into a frown, but she waved back, nonetheless.
Her pale face in the open coffin. Her cold hands still laced with that cotton bracelet.
Ray flinched back, her eyes going wide at the sudden image that flashed in her mind. A sudden throb of pain pounded against her skull, and–
“LIA!” Screams. Her screams. Hands on her shoulders. Hauling her back. Throwing her away. And the cold air, so icy and unforgiving that it bit into Ray’s skin.
She jumped in her seat, a low groan leaving her as her head pounded. Suddenly all she could hear was that wailing wind. The yells of her furious mother. All she could see was her.
Was Lia lying in that coffin. Alone and Dead. Her lips pale and blue and –
“Ray?” Neera’s voice did nothing.
“Fuck.” Ray’s voice shook dangerously, her hands shaking, her shoulders aching. Her mind racing. And everything was nothing but Lia, Lia, Lia.
“She deserves to go to JAIL – ” his scream, “TO FUCKING DIE!”
Thwack.
Hands, so warm, so big on her shoulders, shook her once.
It was then Ray realized what she was seeing. It was Lia’s face in that coffin anymore.
It wasn’t her pale, dead lips. No, it was Ira.
And her eyes were wide open.