Ray’s shoulders tensed, “Ira,” she began softly, “Who’s they? I thought you didn’t have any contact with–”
Ira shook her head, “I told you everything, but one thing.” Her voice shook as she opened her mouth to continue when Ray’s hands landed on her shoulder, showing all the seriousness in her gaze as she said in a low voice,
“Not here Ira.” Ira’s eyes widened, “I’ll hear you out. But not here. When we get back, I promise.”
Ira’s gaze shuttered but she nodded, nonetheless.
Ray could only hope she’d tell her in the end anyway as she turned away from her but made sure to keep a light hand on her wrist as she pulled her along.
“Hi!” The lady up ahead said brightly as they neared her. Ray forced a calm smile on her face and responded with an equally polite tone,
“Hey. We’re actually looking at two things.” She pulled Ira to stand in front of her and patted her shoulder as Ira’s eyes peered up at the woman, “She’s looking for a clean cut – a shorter one with bangs that don’t entirely cover her face?”
The lady hummed, putting her hands on her waist as she eyed Ira. Ray noted her name – which was written on the nametag she was wearing.
Davinawas Ray’s height and had long brown hair with gold highlights. Those pin-straight strands spilled over her shoulder as she bent to look at Ira’s hair more closely.
Davina had similar colored eyes – just a tint darker than her own, and they seemed to shine as she rose back to her height and nodded briskly,
“Can be done easily.” She said and Ray nodded, “What was the second thing?”
“I need to retouch my highlights.” Ray responded swiftly and tugged at her own long hair, “I don’t need them to be straightened but if you could set them that would be great.”
Davina nodded and clapped her hands, “Alright we can get started on both of you. My colleague can help you with your highlights,” she pointed in the direction of a boy who had his back turned to them all.
Ray’s eyes narrowed at the familiar tint and shape of his hair, and was about to respond when he turned.
Well, I’d be damned.
Black depthless eyes and those dark curls with the glint of silver with that necklace that hung from his neck. Ray fought a faint grin as those eyes widened in a show of surprise. She was still looking at him when she started speaking, her words aimed towards Davina,
“Did you see the boy who came with us, Davina?” she asked, “Do you know who he is?”
“Angel De Santos.” Davina’s response was subdued but nothing short of sharp. Ray’s lips quirked into a smirk,
“Whatever services he gets, put them on my card,” she removed a credit card and handed it to Davina, turning to look at her lazily, “Take extra to keep him here longer than me.”
Davina’s eyes widened but Ray just waved the card again, showing her that she had no choice in this situation. Her expression turned to professional indifference as she took the card from Ray’s hands and turned to Ira with a brief smile,
“Shall we?”
Ray couldfeelIra’s discomfort and turned to her immediately, the danger in her expression dying as she looked at her.
“I’m right here. Just five chairs away. You’ll be within my line of sight, and I’ll be within yours. When you’re done, you yell for me?”
Ira nodded hesitantly, “I’ll come to you.” She replied and Ray blinked in surprise but smiled regardless,
“Sure. Come to me.”
“Cool.”
Ray ruffled her hair once before turning back to the boy who was looking as though he was going to bolt. Or as though he was exhausted. Ray couldn’t really tell. All she really cared about was the younger boy who was hiding in the shadows behind him. She’d seen his hair when he’d tried to sneak a peep, and watched warily as the boy in front of her took a step forward, raising his hand with a wary look in his eyes to cover the shadows,
“Where’s the boy?” she asked when she took a few steps away from Ira. Davina was doing a great job of distracting the younger girl with her chatter, giving Ray the freedom to step closer to the shaking shadow and whisper dangerously,
“Where’s Micah Diaz?”
24
