16
T oday, she was going to die today.
God she really hoped she was at the right place, or all of this was going to blow up in her face.
“ Ray? ”
Okay, so she was.
Ray gasped out loud in response and tumbled forward, only to be caught by firm hands. She couldn’t really let the rush of embarrassment wash over her, not when she couldn’t feel her body anymore. She’s somehow landed at his doorstep, unable to think.
Hoping to God, that no one would see them.
He cursed above her and wrapped a hand around her waist, hauling her to his side as he repeated her name again. She didn’t respond, but just as he was about to touch her shoulder, she was reminded of the whip. The lash and agonizing pain that would rip through her–
“Not there!” Ray rasped out loudly and felt his hand snap away from her shoulder. He cursed again and she was vaguely aware of him whispering,
“This is going to hurt.”
And then he was hauling her over her shoulder.
Ray’s eyes snapped open, a bolt of pain rushing down her abdomen as she thumped his back with a pained groan, “Stab…… wound!” she gasped, and he set her down immediately with another curse. Ray lost her balance, but his hand was carefully guiding her to his couch, laying her down gently.
“Where are you not fucking hurt, Ray? ”
Ray shook her head, sobbing through her teeth as she felt him run a comforting hand over her head and whisper softly,
“Okay,” he said, suddenly calm, “I’m going to get some first aid to fix you up, okay? I’m going to be right back.”
She didn’t respond. Couldn’t through the whiplash of her pain, but he still probed,
“Say okay, Ray.”
Ray’s eyes closed tightly, her fingers fisted in the fabric of the couch, but she still managed to grunt out, “ Okay .”
She heard his sigh of relief and felt him disappear. He took his warmth with him, making her go cold all over again. Even out in the sun as she’d rode to his house, the blazing wind had felt like a cold slap. One that had frozen every inch of her body. She could feel her stitches threatening to rip, but they held. Mercifully, they held. The skin on her shoulder, though. It was completely destroyed. Bleeding and throbbing hard enough that Ray couldn’t stop the sob that escaped her lips.
Stupid, the logical part of her mind screamed, stupid of her to come here. Stupid to ruin all of it.
But she didn’t care. Didn’t care.
It was too much, the girl, the whip, the stab wound. The sudden realization that the girl could be–
“Ray?” his voice drew her out, and she resurfaced, gasping out loud, “Tell me where it hurts. Keep talking to me.”
She grit her teeth so hard it hurt, and slowly opened her glistening eyes to look at him. His dark eyes were wide in worry when she shook her head, wincing with the movement ,
“Shoulder,” she managed and his hands delicately touched the left side of her neck, as if he knew that she was hurt on the right, “ Whip.”
Rage was like hellfire on his face when she groaned out again. He carefully moved his hand to the opposite side of her neck, “I’m going to cut up your T-shirt.” He said, his voice shaking with barely leashed anger. Ray grunted her agreement, but he was already reaching forward to cut the upper section of her t-shirt.
“Rip it.” She swore, “Just fucking rip it off.”
He didn’t argue. A terrible rip filled the air as he tore open her T-shirt.
Ray made sure to keep her eyes open when she heard him suck in a harsh breath and carefully pull her to the edge of the couch to look at the wound on the right side of her neck. She saw his every movement, from the tick in his jaw to his steady hands as he pulled her skin carefully to see how long the wound was.
Ray knew it was an angry red mark from the side of her neck down to the middle of her chest. But she forced herself not to dwell on it. Instead, just looked up at him with narrowed eyes and asked quietly,
“How bad is it?”
He didn’t answer for a second, but she saw him shake once, violently. Then those black eyes snapped to his, and a roaring began in Ray’s mind at the fury in his eyes,
“It’ll take a while to heal.” he said tightly, and Ray exhaled.
His gaze averted as he went down on his knees beside her and removed a cotton wipe from the bag he’d brought,
“Tell me what happened.” He started just as his hands moved to gently press the cotton against her wound .
Ray wasn’t expecting the cold, wet sensation against the side of her neck. Nor was she expecting the white bolt of pain to rush down her back. Her back arched as an agonized sound left her neck.
“Shit, I’m sorry, but I have to–”
“Don’t…care!” she gasped as she flopped back down, her hand shaking. Her entire body shivering, “Just do it.”
He continued cleaning up her wound with the antiseptic and Ray fought with all her will to keep her eyes open. To keep her mind afloat.
“The Lions found a girl on the site.” She managed to grunt out, keeping her head turned to face him. She saw his face contort in concentration but knew he was listening. He took the bloodied cotton away from her and removed a bottle from the bag.
“Keep talking.” He said as he touched the piece of cotton against the bottle’s rim and tipped it.
Ray must’ve paused as she saw at him move, but she couldn’t help the faint shiver that ran down her body. The fear only spiked as he moved to lace that wet cotton against her wound. Ray’s eyes shut tightly as if barring herself from the pain that small piece of cotton promised.
“Maya was interrogating her, and it wasn’t going well.” She started almost hastily, half praying, half rambling, “So I ran to stop her– fuck!”
Another sob rocked Ray’s body as he pressed it against her wound and started speaking, “I’m guessing that’s where you got this from,” his voice was smooth, trying to cut through the stars Ray was seeing because of the white-hot pain, “And it’s safe to assume you got stabbed yesterday and didn’t bother saying anything.”
A scoff stuck with the sob in her throat and Ray rasped through the blinding rush ,
“Can you not sound so condescending when I’m this close to dying?”
“You’re not going to die.” He deadpanned, and Ray’s eyes snapped open, almost delirious with the rush of annoyance and agony as she glared at him. But before she could respond, a smooth female voice cut through the atmosphere,
“Akash?” the muffled voice said from behind closed doors of his bedroom. Both Akash Smith and Ray froze at the voice. Ray took a moment but when she registered what was happening, a groan left her lips, her hands rising to cover her face.
“Did I interrupt–” she started but paused at the shot of pain at her movements and flopped her hands back down. She didn’t have to turn to see Akash sulking beside her,
“Yes.”
Ray groaned out loud again, this time drawing a small chuckle from Akash’s lips.
“I’ll be right there!” He called out and Ray heard the pad of footsteps echo away from the door of the room.
She turned to face him then and saw the amusement dancing in his eyes when he looked back at her with a small smile. Ray raised her brows in question and saw that grin stretch. God, fucking gross.
Ray discreetly glanced down and noticed what he was wearing and winced, abashed because she hadn’t realized.
She’d been out of her mind, but still.
“Okay!” Akash clapped his hands and got up, brushing his fingers against the fabric of his pants as he looked down at her.
His shirt had been ripped open, and he was wearing nothing inside – obviously , Ray thought as she rolled her eyes – and was wearing black pant s
which seemed as though he’d put them on haphazardly.
A black chain hung from his neck as he placed a warm hand against her forehead and said kindly, “I going to go back in. You can stay for as long as you like. Your pain won’t subside for a while, but you should be able to move.”
I’m not going to stay, Ray wanted to say but didn’t. Not when he was looking at her with a slight warning in his eyes. She didn’t have to nod to tell him that she understood. Ray couldn’t explain the entire situation to him right away, not with a set of ears probably listening in on their conversation.
“Well then, Diana ,” he said, a bit too loudly and Ray winced but moved to get up carefully. Her hand was poised against her abdomen when she saw his dark eyes narrow in concern, his hands reaching forward to help her up. Ray waved him away, suddenly getting back to her senses about the chance she’d taken to come here.
So instead of replying, Ray signed with her hands.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry for barging in like this.”
She saw the regret shine in his eyes when he looked back at her. Akash shifted on his heels, showing obvious signs of reluctance in letting her go like this but she shook her head and got up with a slight wince.
“Don’t tell anyone about this.” She signed and saw him frown at her actions. Sighed when he signed back,
“Fuck no.”
So not telling Cameron was out of the question.
Ray rolled her eyes and was about to respond when a loud buzzing filled the air. She jumped in surprise, just as Akash’s eyes shot down to the phone hidden in the pocket of her jeans. Who the hell had her number ?
Ray frowned and removed her phone from her pocket, fighting the rush of pain at the small movement. An unfamiliar number flashed on the phone, making her scowl at the screen and look up at Akash in confusion.
He raised his eyebrows in question, who is it?
Ray shrugged but picked up the call nonetheless.
“Hello–”
“Where in hell are you?”
That voice , that rage. Holy shit. Ray looked down at her phone and hung up before she could think. And winced at the stupidity of her actions. Akash, noticing her sudden actions, looked at her with a small frown. Ray only shook her head.
Don’t ask.
He didn’t. Just sighed and patted the top of her head as he walked past her to grab a T-shirt off his kitchen counter. Ray’s eyes narrowed as he handed her the blue cotton shirt and pointed at her to put it on. When she didn’t take it from his hands, he sighed,
“I removed it.” He said and Ray grabbed it and tugged it on, just as she mused softly,
“But left the shirt on?”
Akash’s soft chuckle filled the air as he moved to help her put it on. Still, the movement struck through her, making her wince and close her eyes in pain as the T-shirt finally landed softly against her skin. Ray sighed as she opened her eyes and saw him tip his head sideways as he moved to stand beside her. Placed a hand on her head. Ray breathed out, her jaw clenching at the familiar action. Despite his light hand on her head, Ray still felt the chilling fury hidden in his words as he whispered in her ears ,
“Not long now .” he murmured, and her eyes swam with unshed tears. He saw the look, his own fingers curling, “Not long.”
She turned her head, his fingers fisting at her sides, and nodded once briskly. Saw his eyes flash with the anger none of them had forgotten, suddenly so sharp that it could cut through air.
And with that, Akash Smith ruffled her hair and left her standing in his living room. Ray didn’t look back, just started walking ahead and out his door without a single hint of hesitation. She would be alright. This plan would work. It would all work–
And hesitation came knocking at her door.
A buzz filled her hand, making her pause before the bike she’d ridden to Akash’s place. Ray looked down at her phone, frowning at the blaring screen before pocketing it without another glance. Angel De Santos might be a Raven, but she knew his alliance lay with the Lions. Knew how much he aspired to become a part of them.
And a part of her despised him for it.
She’d expected him to side with the Lions. To prove his allegiance to their alliance. But seeing it in person after seeing who he really was? Really could be? It somehow devastated her. Made her question everything she’d been working on for years.
Ray reprimanded her train of thought as she picked up the bike with a groan and a wince. She’d left it on the ground as she’d tumbled up Akash’s porch, knowing that this was the only place where she wouldn’t be followed. Wouldn’t ever be found.
And now she was returning to the Lion’s den .
Ray’s phone buzzed in her pocket again, making her grunt in annoyance as the bike finally stood up and she swung her legs upon it. Her stitches were pulled to a dangerous degree, and she knew she should probably go to see David but that part of her didn’t sway her made-up mind. Instead, Ray just revved her accelerator, just once to feel that rumble under her before she gave in to her curiosity and removed her phone from her pocket.
Saw 10+ unread messages from that unknown number. A surprised scoff left her lips as she opened his chat and read his messages, her eyebrows rising with each word.
Unknown: You did not just fucking hang up on me, Raylene Walker.
A laugh left Ray’s lips,
Unknown: Where the fuck are you? Everyone’s looking for you.
Unknown: I’m looking for you.
Her breath stalled.
Unknown: And that’s a big fucking deal. Tell me where you are.
A brief pause and then the messages continued, getting angrier.
Unknown: Look, I know what happened. The girl’s waiting for you back in your room. She wouldn’t talk to anyone else.
Ray’s heartbeat became wilder.
Unknown: This is awfully childish of you. I thought you were better than this. Pack up the bullshit and get back.
Ray scoffed at the way he was trying to goad her. Her phone buzzed with the call, but she didn’t pick up. Just stared down at Unknown Number until it went away. She waited a beat.
Two.
Three.
And then –
Unknown: I’m going to find you, Storm.
Unknown: I’m going to find you and take you back.
Take me back where, Ray wanted to ask, a part of her frozen at the sight of his messages. At the sight of his simmering rage. Was this rage?
Unknown: And when I find you Raylene Walker, I’m going to remind you that this place is hell.
Unknown: And you’re stuck in it with me.
Ray pressed her lips to stop the laugh from pouring through her lips. Still, a treacherous sound left her throat and she tipped her head back, looking up at the sky in wonder as she shut her phone and tucked it in her back pocket. His words, so simple, so arrogant, burned through her mind.
Dared to ruin her entire plan.
Ray swore out loud and shook her head in annoyance. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. Angel De Santos is nothing but a spoilt boy with a lot of power. A man who stood by the Lion’s side.
A man she had to destroy.
So, Ray revved her bike again, bringing back a sense of confidence she wasn’t really feeling anymore as she rode. If Angel De Santos thought this was hell, he had no idea what was coming.
None of them did.
* *
Angel had searched everywhere. Had called her a million times and had only ended up back in her room, ending up beside a snoring Kyle and an overly alert girl on Ray’s bed. Angel looked at her through a wary gaze, his phone still pressed against his ear,
“None of us are going to hurt you.” He said softly and her short curly hair swayed as she turned to look at him sharply, “You can sleep. ”
She just hissed at him in response.
Angel drew away from her, dropping his phone into his lap as looked ahead with wide eyes, “Fucking hell.” He murmured and rubbed his eyes before turning to look out at the evening sky.
Angel sighed deeply, already forgetting the brooding girl behind him as he saw the orangish tint of the sky and the trees swaying with the wind. They’d been back to the main house for a while, but Angel couldn’t help but miss the beach house they’d stayed at for a night.
Missed it for the view it provided.
The memories it suddenly held.
A sudden spark of worry spiked in his mind, making him groan out in annoyance and bury his face in his hands. They’d all spent the day looking for Ray, but after Verana had given up, the rest had been eager to follow. Angel had returned to her room and had been so pissed at himself for giving in to the weak part of his mind that was almost worried for her.
Shit, shit, shit.
No, this was nothing but a simple infatuation. A girl he hadn’t seen before. A girl he’d sent a million texts to.
Angel ruffled his hair again, abashed at his train of thought when he heard Kyle stir against the couch.
And let out a small groan as he shifted.
Angel’s gaze was almost disappointed when he looked at the boy with his glasses pressed awkwardly between his forehead and the couch. Such a coward sometimes, Angel was thinking when he heard a soft sound from behind him. He turned to face the young girl, who was looking at Kyle with the same look in her eyes. Angel couldn’t hide a small grin .
She glared in a way that made Angel realize she would’ve spat on Kyle if she could.
A small laugh left his lips at the same time his phone buzzed in his hand. Both, his and the girl’s eyes snapped down to the phone as he scrambled to catch it. Saw the number and name and almost died in relief as he picked up the phone.
She didn’t give him a chance to speak.
“Out in front of the beach house, on the beach.” She said, her voice quietly firm, shutting Angel up immediately. He frowned at the authority in her words,
“Don’t order me around–”
“Come find me, Santos.”
Take me back.
Angel’s words fell back in his throat, and his hand shook with an inane amount of leashed concern. That concern spiked a rare sort of annoyance in him, making him inhale once, sharply. But he still responded,
“Tell me you’re there.”
Tell me you’re safe.
Angel heard her sharp exhale and his eyes shut at her next words.
“I’m here.”
Angel hung up on her and immediately got to his feet, scrambling to grab his jacket and a water bottle from her nightstand before turning to her door. Angel was fishing for the keys of his bike from the pocket of his jeans when he felt a small tug against the hem of his T-shirt. He froze and looked over his shoulder to look at the girl standing behind him, her eyes wide but alert .
“I go too.” She said softly and Angel winced at her words before he shook his head.
“No, this is just me and her for now kid,” he started but paused as he saw her eyes dart to Kyle and back to Angel again. He paused, hesitating for a second before sighing, cursing this wretched part of himself as he placed his jacket on her small shoulders and pointed to Ray’s cupboard.
“Find some pants to wear from there and you can come along.”
The girl didn’t miss a beat. Turned so swiftly that Angel barely saw her move as she threw open the doors of the closet and fished out a pair of sweatpants. He turned away as she tugged them on behind him and looked down at his phone. Saw the newest message that had popped up.
Storm: Desperation suits you really well, Angel.
Angel scoffed, his eyes widening in surprise at her atrocious words. He was about to type out a response when he felt the girl’s presence sidle close to him. He looked down at her. She barely reached his shoulder, and almost grinned at her overbearing clothes. The jacket was huge on her, but covered every inch of her skin as she zipped it up and looked back up at him, those eyes wide.
“Let’s go.” He said and started walking ahead, not looking back to see her follow. Angel knew he shouldn’t take her, but a part of him couldn’t help but feel slight worry for her as well. If she’d been dumb enough to fall into a mess like this, she sure as hell was capable of following him and getting into more trouble.
They walked out into the cold breeze, and Angel shivered at the sudden touch of cold against his nose and gripped the plastic bottle in his hand harder as he reached his bike. Before anything, Angel opened the seat of his bike and pulled out two helmets, handing one to her .
When he looked back, the girl was already standing beside him, looking at the bike as if it would eat her alive as she clutched the helmet.
Angel didn’t smile at her reaction as he swung his legs and sat on the seat before putting his helmet on. His hand extended, and he inclined his head in the direction of the water bottle in his hand, willing her to grab it. The girl just nodded slightly, her hands shaking slightly as she gripped the plastic tight enough for it to crunch under her fingers and put on her helmet as well.
He exhaled and removed the bike from its stand, starting it in the process. The engine growled loudly, making the girl flinch back in surprise as the rumble filled his bones with familiarity. Angel looked back at her and tipped his head,
“Get on.”
He saw the hesitation in her eyes, but before he could say anything, the girl was moving to sit behind him. She made sure to keep some distance between them, but Angel was going to speed, so he looked over his shoulder,
“Hold my shoulders or my waist, whichever’s comfortable for you. If it’s none of them, you can either grip my t-shirt or the handle at the back of the bike. But make sure to hold on tightly.”
She chose to hold the handle at the back of his bike and Angel nodded in acceptance, looking back ahead. He accelerated once, and without another word, took off in the cold wind of the early evening.