20
R ay breathed out as she stepped off her bike with Ira in tow behind her. The girl was still guarded around her, barely smiling or showing any reactions. The only sense of feeling she’d gotten from the younger girl was when she’d fed her pancakes and Ira had let out a soft sound of satisfaction.
Apart from that, Ira was like a stone wall upon which Ray was going to keep knocking until her hands started bleeding. Now, however, Ira walked beside her, silent and stiff as they strode into a silent beach restaurant. Ira was wearing jeans and a thin T-shirt, and Ray knew by one look in her glistening eyes that the cold air was biting into her skin. Thankfully she had a spare jacket in the seat of her bike, she’d hand it to her once they got out of here.
Once they got this done.
Ray walked into the almost empty restaurant, her eyes narrowing as she searched the tables for a lock of black straight hair and equally dark eyes.
“Raylene Walker!”
Her eyes snapped to his deep voice, widening as she saw him wave in her direction with a grin on his face. The last time she’d seen Noah Hassan, he’d been dressed in formals, looking awfully dangerous with his silver rings as his depthless eyes. Now, however, he was wearing a dark green striped T-shirt tucked into his dark pants. She saw him play with the sunglasses that hung on the neck of his T-shirt, his silver rings shining under the sunlight as his eyes fell behind her.
Ray carefully tucked Ira behind her back, her eyes narrowing into a challenging glare ,
“Stay close to me.” She said to her softly, and pressed a blue cotton bracelet in her hands, “Put this on.”
Ira’s response was in Italian, but she still grabbed the bracelet from her hands,
“Why?” she said softly, but her voice was still hard.
Ray didn’t look back at her but responded with a slight tilt of her chin,
“Because everyone needs to know you’re with me.”
It was then she snapped her eyes away from Noah’s and looked directly into the young girl’s wide blue-grey ones, “ Never take it off. Do you understand me?”
Ira nodded hesitantly and Ray turned again, this time letting a soft smile grace her lips as she relaxed her features and strode in Noah’s direction. The boy gazed back at them both, something cunning and dangerous shifting in his eyes as he got up from his seat and extended his hand in her direction,
“Afternoon Walker.” He said, his tone laced with amusement as Ray laced her hand with his and shook it once firmly. They all sat down, facing one another as Ray leaned back in her seat and sighed,
“Good Afternoon, Hassan.” She replied as soon as Ira settled beside her. Noah’s grin stretched as he leaned forward, his muscles flexing under his t-shirt as he made sure to keep his eyes trained on her,
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked smoothly, and Ray’s head tipped downwards, smiling at the look in his eyes,
“Straight to business are we?” she said and was about to add something when Noah’s eyes cut behind her, widening by a fraction. That shit-eating grin only grew as he turned to face her again, all soft danger and wicked,
“You’ve got quite a shadow trailing you, Walker.” He started dangerously .
Ray didn’t dare mistake the grin on his face as anything but a threat. Still, she sweetly smiled back at him, her hands coming to rest on the table,
“I thought she might enjoy the show.”
Noah’s eyes flashed at her easy response, and he scoffed, leaning back in his seat and draping a hand around his chair as the grin on his lips died, “Well?” he asked, suddenly bored as his entire expression dropped to nonchalance, “What do you want?”
Ray chuckled softly but didn’t balk from the promise of murder in his eyes as her back straightened behind her, “I want you to work for the Lions.”
Better just get to the point.
Noah didn’t react for exactly a whole second. But Ray wasn’t the least bit surprised when he threw his head back and let out a loud laugh, his lips parting as he gulped fits of air and continued laughing.
“Wow,” he managed to gasp out as his head lolled down to look at her, “Are the Lions finally asking for a favor from us?”
Ray’s smile widened, and his laugh sobered. Got you.
“Not from the organization. From you.” She drawled and saw his gaze narrow, his lips turning downwards as she continued, “I’ve seen the way you handle business, Noah. I’m offering a partnership.”
Noah’s eyes glinted in the sunlight, “You want me to do what the Krafts did for you.” He stated and Ray shrugged,
“That. And some more.”
“Why?” he asked, but Ray had been expecting his questions. She sighed, tilting her head as she blinked innocently,
“I think it’s time you took the reins in your hands, that’s all.”
A dangerous, loaded statement .
But even as Noah’s eyes sharpened, she saw the gleam of greed shine in his eyes. She hid her grin. Everyone knew about the Hassans, especially Noah’s father who hadn’t yet given up the reins of his business and retired. Instead, he remained, a fucking boulder that kept pressurizing their business when it was Noah who did all the work. Kian Hassan was everything like Angel’s father and worse.
“I think you’re treading a very dangerous line, Raylene Walker.” Noah carefully drawled, his eyes snapping behind her, “And tell your shadow to fuck off, or she’s going to die.”
Ray chuckled but signaled Verana to take a step away. She’d noticed the other girl following her miles back but had let her. If Verana had her suspicions, she might as well dissolve them here. Ray focused on Noah, at the shimmering rage in his eyes,
“I’m just offering you a hand Noah,” she said, a smile on her face even as her tone dropped an octave. Even Ira shivered beside her as Noah’s lips bared in a show of that rage, “Think about it. You become the Lion’s pillar and we lend you a hand in getting your business afloat.”
In getting the business, period.
Noah’s eyes shone in curiosity. In a show of thought as he crossed his arms and leaned back. She let him ponder over it, knew she didn’t have to explain what he had to do for the Lions. Ray turned to Ira then, watched her fidget with the blue bracelet on her wrist and peer out the window to look at the beach.
“What makes this concrete?” Noah’s question flew with the wind, making Ray’s eyes snap back to his, “What’s the catch?”
Ray smiled, shaking her hair off her face gently as she let out a soft breath, “You’ll get the contract we offered the Krafts with an added clause. ”
She started and saw him hum in thought as she continued, “You can define your conditions there. And we will offer them if they are within our bounds.”
“How diplomatic.” Noah joked, but she saw his shoulders soften at her words, “I hope we’d met during different conditions Raylene Walker.” He added after a brief pause, “Then I wouldn’t be worried about mixing business with pleasure.”
Accepted.
Ray grinned, extending her hand for Noah to take just as Ira’s soft voice flooded through their ears.
“Gross.” She whispered and Ray’s brows rose in her direction. Noah’s laugh boomed through the half-empty restaurant as he shook her hand and nodded,
“Nice doing business with you Walker.” He said and swiped a hand through his hair as he moved to get up from his seat. Noah’s body shifted as he leaned to one side and Ray saw him smile dangerously and wave,
“Nice knowing you Verana, you fucking stalker!” he said in ease just as Ray remained seated, Ira tucked at her side. Verana’s hiss was audible to all of them as Noah tipped an invisible hat in her direction. He was about to say something when Ray let a small smile grace her lips as she slumped lazily in her seat,
“Oh, and Noah?” she started, her voice sweet and innocent. Still, she knew his shoulders stiffened. Her lips tipped, “The Lions don’t ask for favors .” Her head turned over her shoulder, catching the brief flash in his eyes.
“We make deals. Contracts, nothing less, nothing more.” Her smile turned further, and a lethal glint entered his gaze as she continued softly ,
“Remember that.”
Noah remained rooted in his spot for a moment. Only a moment, and then Hassan’s lips were breaking into a malicious grin as he wove his hands through his hair and snapped his gaze in her direction.
“Until next time Walker.” He said in response and Ray raised her hand as she turned back around in her seat and sighed.
Heard him walk out of the restaurant without a backward glance.
Ray sighed in relief and slumped back down in her seat, letting her exhaustion show as she slumped in her chair. Her eyes shut just as Ira slid down as well and they both heard an angry pair of footsteps near them. Ray couldn’t help her groan as Verana pulled a chair in front with a loud screech and sat on it,
“Fucking bastard.” she muttered. Ray didn’t open her eyes, just sighed deeply,
“Wanna tell me why you followed me, Vera?” she asked, her voice tired.
She really didn’t want to fight today. But being next to Verana made her want to rip her own hair out. Fortunately, Verana didn’t look like she was in the mood to spar with Ray either.
“I was just following instructions.”
Ray’s eyes snapped open, a frustrated breath leaving her lungs as she sat upright and looked back into Verana’s cold eyes, “By Maya?”
Her gaze darted between Ray and Ira, narrowing as it landed on Ira, who had straightened in her seat and was playing with her bracelet,
“Yes.” She said, distracted. Verana’s brows scrunched, “Did you give her that? ”
Ray hummed, “Of course.” She replied easily, her eyes narrowing as she caught the curious gleam in Verana’s eyes, “Don’t fucking bother her Vera.”
“ Christ I won’t.” Verana snapped back, her sharp eyes rising to Ray’s as she glared back, “Who the hell do you take me for?”
Ray shrugged, relaxing in her seat. The sounds of the waves from far away crashed in on them, silencing any chance of conversation as the three of them sat there in brief solitude. Ray’s eyes shut on their own accord, maybe because of the cool coaxing wind or because of the soft pounding of her heart. She couldn’t really tell.
And with her closed eyes, her mind swayed.
The main event was in a day. All the preparations were done and handled by Verana while Ray looked at the announcement that would take place. Had perfected her stance, her posture for the entire world to see. People who hadn’t even heard her would know her name starting the event. It was a monumental change for both the Lions and Ravens.
It was everything Ray could ever hope for.
Her thoughts wandered to the dress that had been handed to her. The way it so perfectly showcased who she was.
What she had become.
An alliance that would shift the world’s perspective completely. And it would provide for the provided opportunity to–
“I heard from Maya.” Verana’s voice was low. Quiet enough to pierce through the atmosphere. Ray’s eyes opened slowly, almost lazily as she saw the other girl look out the window. Her dark hair swayed back lightly and Ray snapped up at the serious tone of her voice, “She wants me to find out more about the group. ”
Her dark eyes turned to Ira and the younger girl stiffened. Ray’s gaze sharpened, her hand knocking against the table to attract Verana’s attention. Verana looked back at her in exasperation but Ray let her see the pure threat hidden in her eyes,
“You don’t talk to her without me.” She stated, her voice quieter than it had ever been. Verana’s body jerked back lightly, those eyes flashing with the sunlight as she glared back, “You don’t meet her without me.”
She’d have to speed up the adoption process.
Ray’s frustrated eyes snapped to Ira’s, who was looking at her with something deep and different in her face. As if noticing Ray’s surprise, Ira stiffened, her expression going stark as she turned away abruptly. Ray bit down on her tongue to hide the shot of hurt that washed over her and turned to face Verana instead.
But Vera had her eyes fixated on her phone, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Ray asked, her previous anger fading as Verana stood up from her seat and murmured,
“I have to take this.”
Ray hummed but leaned back in her seat, her brows furrowing as she saw Verana take a few steps away from the table and press the phone to her ear. Her frown only deepened as she heard the other girl snap into the phone,
“ Speak.”
The other voice spoke, and Ray saw Verana’s brows rise, a flash of surprise and confusion flitting across her face. She saw her eyes shut tightly, and she pressed her fingers in the middle of her brows as she shook her head, “Wait, wait – ” A pause, and grunt of annoyance, “Just spit it out. ”
Ray waited, her heart thundering in her chest as she saw Verana heave a surprised breath. Her eyes snapped open suddenly, her hand dropping from her head,
“WHAT?” She screeched and both Ray and Ira jumped.
That’s it, Ray thought as she shot up from her seat and strode in Verana’s direction. She saw her coming and turned to face her, her shoulders taut as she listened to the voice murmuring furiously on the other end. Ray’s stomach dropped, her heart pounding in her chest as Verana pressed her lips together, a mix of horror and panic crossing across her face,
“Okay. Okay.” She said finally and Ray stood next to her, a scowl on her face as Verana snarled into the phone, “Fucking hell. Just tell Kyle about this first– I don’t fucking care!”
Ray placed a comforting hand on Verana’s shoulder, and saw her snap her eyes in her direction, “Yes she’s with me. I’ll let her know… God just fuck off and do your job for once.”
Ray breathed out as Verana huffed in frustration and hung up. She jerked away from Ray, and hurled her phone across the room,
“FUCK!” she snapped, making Ray wince at the loud crack of the phone against the floor, “God fucking damn it!”
“Vera,” Ray started softly, her teeth clenched as she stepped over her broken phone and saw Verana weave her hands through her hair, “What’s going on?”
Verana turned to her just as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Both she and Verana heard it, and the latter swore loudly as Ray took another step in her direction,
“Vera? ”
Verana looked at her, her eyes wide in panic, angry bursts of breath leaving her lips as she snarled softly,
“It’s burnt down.”
Goosebumps erupted on Ray’s arm, her mind going blank.
“ What? ”
Vera breathed out, her eyes wide and a frown prominent on her brows. Ray had never seen her this panicked. This out of her element.
“It’s fucking burnt down. All of it.”
* *
“Angel!”
Her voice was low, tinted with a hint of surprise and pleasure as she opened the doors to her room. Angel smiled back at her, ignoring Mia who was jumping in excitement beside him. His eyes softened as the woman opened the doors wider and extended her arms,
“Mrs. Andrews.” Angel responded softly, stepping forward to lightly put his hands in hers. Her lips stretched into a beautiful smile as she pulled him closer. Pressed a comforting hand to his cheek and said quietly,
“It’s so good to see you, Angel.”
Miranda Andrews was a beautiful woman. One who had her daughter’s uncontrollable red hair. But while Mia was all brown eyes, piercings, and bat-shit crazy, Miranda was soft green eyes with a calm and collected resolve who’d ended up marrying his father. Angel’s entire composure softened at her words, at the way her eyes glistened as she ushered them inside.
After Isabella had died, Martin had waited for only a year before remarrying Miranda Andrews. It had been difficult for Angel to accept it all .
Not that his father was remarrying, but that there was another woman in their house who wasn’t his mother.
To this date, Angel couldn’t bring himself to regard her as anything but Mia’s mother . But Miranda had always been patient with him, never angry at his outbursts.
And never unkind. Unlike Mia, who’d threatened to rip his balls off the minute he’d uttered a word against her.
It was that kindness that ripped his heart because deep inside, he knew he’d never accept Miranda as someone he could consider family .
Maybe he was bring childish. Or rather foolish.
But he couldn’t.
That was exactly why he couldn’t bring himself to go to her when she got here with Mia yesterday. But he was here now. And a part of him relaxed as she looked at him with nothing but understanding in her eyes.
Angel breathed out as they sat on the couch in her room.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come as soon as I heard you were here.”
Mia grunted her agreement, earning herself a chastising glare from Miranda. Mia was fiercely protective of her mother. And he understood that. Respected her for it. The older woman looked back at Angel, nothing but pure, unyielding warmth in her green eyes as she smiled again,
“That’s quite alright.” She said, tilting her head to gaze at him as she patted his hand. Angel ran a ruffled hand through his hair as she continued, “Your father needed me. That’s the only reason why I’m here. I am not looking to impose at all.”
That shred of guilt ripped his heart open as he gulped and turned to face her, his eyes pleading, “That’s not what I meant–” he started and paused at the knowing gleam in her smile ,
“Not entirely. I just thought you wouldn’t be safe here.”
“Oh nonsense,” Miranda laughed and slapped his hand lightly, “Martin’s got enough people out here to protect me. And I pose no threat here .”
Angel pressed his lips together. It was always so heart-breakingly annoying to see a great woman like Miranda have such unwavering trust in Martin De Santos. Angel’d had this conversation with her multiple times, urging her to leave this god-forsaken family and take Mia with her. To not get involved with a man like Martin. But Miranda had always smiled back at him, ruffled his hair, and said gently,
“Everything happens for a reason Angel.” A breath of silence and a calm smile, “And my reason is love.”
He averted his gaze now, trying not to start the same conversation with him as Miranda continued, her voice light and happy, “And this is a good way for me to expand my business.”
That made him laugh lightly and turn back to look at her, “Your business? Here?” he teased, and Miranda’s smile widened, her dress crinkling as she nudged him and huffed in mock annoyance,
“What? I think the people here could use some flowers to lighten their lives.” She said. Even Mia joined Angel’s light laughs at her words. He shook his head and looked over Miranda’s shoulder in Mia’s direction,
“Flowers.” He said and she nodded, forcing her expression to seriousness even as a smile broke free of her lips.
“Flowers.”
And they both erupted into laughter again.
Miranda clicked her tongue in annoyance, turning away from both of them as she crossed her arms ,
“Just you see. People here are going to love flowers.”
Angel was about to respond when a loud buzzing sound filled the room. His eyes snapped to Mia’s, both their laughter sobering as Mia fished out her phone from her pocket. She still had a smile on her face as she saw the caller ID and said softly,
“I have to take this.” She said and Angel nodded briskly, turning to Miranda with a smile as they heard Mia pick up the phone.
“Hello?” she said, turning away from them.
“So, Angel–”
“Wait, wait. Slow down.” Mia’s voice crashed through their conversation. The smile on Angel’s face dropped when he saw the redhead’s brows furrow as she turned to face him. He got up from the couch slowly, ignoring the confused looks Miranda shot both of them as he crossed the room.
“What are you saying?” Mia started but was cut off by a voice from the other end. Angel’s frown deepened as she shook her head vigorously, “But how’s that possible… god, where is this?”
“How is this possible?” she snapped furiously. A chill ran down Angel’s back as Mia froze in her spot, her eyes going wide and wider as the voice continued speaking. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure Miranda being here was a good idea. He wasn’t sure if any of this was a good idea.
“Oh my god,” Mia breathed out, her hands shaking as she lifted her chin, “ Are you sure? Do you have all of this confirmed?”
Angel heard the tremor in her voice, the insistent tapping of her feet as she bit on her nails. His impatience grew, his entire body shaking with pressure as he urged her to look back at him. To say something.
“Who knows?” she whispered, and her eyes widened at the response ,
“What are they doing about it? Where are they?”
Angel grit his teeth, and Mia, noticing his growing annoyance turned to face him with a grim look in her eyes. She shook her head, wait. This is bad, she seemed to say, and Angel let out a harsh breath.
Without thinking he removed his phone out of his pocket and dialed the number of the first person he thought of. Mia saw him move, her eyes following his movement as he pressed his phone to his ear.
He picked up the phone within two rings.
“What the fuck is going on?” he snarled and heard Kyle’s harsh exhale. His scowl only deepened as the other boy remained silent for an entire second. And then he heard it. The faintest of all sounds.
“Kyle.” Angel said lowering his voice, “Why am I hearing fucking sirens? Where the hell are you?”
But it was too faint for Kyle to be–
“Switch on the news.” Was all he said before the ringing from his ended call filled his ears.
Angel growled, but it was Mia who moved. She’d stopped talking to whoever was on the phone and was reaching for the remote when she said softly,
“I just got a call from one of our stationed people in Italy.” She started, and Angel’s heart started pounding hard in his chest as she switched the TV on, “He was near the site. Apparently, everything that was set up by the Krafts, all their business holdings – underground and above – everything is currently burning down.”
His heart stopped in his chest.
And Mia switched to the News channel. Utter surprise rendered him frozen as he heard the voice from the TV speak up ,
“Good afternoon. We must interrupt our regular news today to inform you about breaking news that currently requires out attention. We are bringing you live coverage of a developing situation that demands our immediate attention.” The female anchor said, and turned to her partner, who nodded in her direction, her eyes grim as she continued,
“We have just received news of a fire breaking out at not one, but three places here in Milan. All three sites were owned by the recently deceased Nathan Kraft. Emergency services are on the scene, along with one of our representatives, Daniel Garcia. Daniel, are you there? What is the situation right now?”
Angel watched as the imaged shifted and turned to a man standing a few miles away from the scene. His breath caught as he saw those flames surging in the sky behind the man. Even Mia remained quiet as the man started speaking. Angel’s attention didn’t divert for a second when his door was slammed open and Luke, Jack, and Christina rushed in. He barely saw Miranda cross the room to head to Christina. The girl just smiled at the older woman and asked her to step into Angel’s room silently. The door closed behind Miranda with a soft click, but Angel’s attention was on the screen.
“–local residents are being evacuated from the area.” The man was saying, his voice muffled by the sirens and the constant chatter around him, “Emergency medical teams are on standby, but according to our sources, there haven’t been any casualties in the buildings. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, but authorities are working diligently to prevent further spread.”
The screen switched back to the two news anchors, “Thank you Daniel.” One of them said, “Reports coming in are suggesting that Nathan Kraft might be a common factor to be considered in each investigation. ”
Angel sucked in a breath. A loaded, dangerous statement.
“Investigators are exploring–”
He blinked as the TV shut off and turned abruptly to face his friends. All their faces were ashen, almost afraid at what this meant for the Lions. For them.
“Holy Shit.” Jack laughed suddenly, not a hint of humor present in his tone as he turned to face Angel as well, “This is going to blow up in our face.”
Angel shook his head, his mind spinning as he thought of what this meant. Of how they would recover from all of this. Angel didn’t know why Ray had met with Noah Hassan this morning. But he had no doubt Noah was a part of all this somehow. Maybe not in burning down one of their most important headquarters. This blow was exactly like the one Angel had dealt with last year, where business had been difficult with his buildings fucking blown apart.
And now the Lions were facing the same fate.
That only meant there was one group behind all this. Angel’s eyes turned to Luke’s, who looked back at him as if knowing exactly what Angel was thinking. He nodded hesitantly, agreeing with Angel’s train of thought.
“What now?” Jack asked softly but it was Christina who responded.
“Now’s perfect.” She said, attracting all their surprised eyes.
She didn’t balk though, just looked back at them with that hidden gleam in her eyes. Christina Morris might be a good person, but that wasn’t why Angel had chosen her at all,
“Now we get a chance.” She continued, and Angel’s brows shot up in the air, “A chance to prove our undying loyalty. ”
A chance to prove they were innocent. A chance to show them that they needed the Ravens to survive.
“Shit,” Luke breathed, rushing a hand through his hair as a small smirk grew on his lips, “Fucking brilliant.”
Angel couldn’t help his light laugh. Mia turned away from all of them, already beginning to work as she pressed her phone to her ear and started whispering furiously. Angel turned to look at Christina, who looked all innocent and kind. But then she saw his stare and winked back at him, her hair swaying with the wind as she breathed out a laugh,
“We’re all such assholes.” She murmured, enticing a collective grunt of agreement.
“Opportunistic assholes.” Jack corrected and Angel shrugged, liking the term just fine as he moved to get out of the room and get to where the Lions were.
“Time for these opportunistic assholes to go do some damage control.”