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. Theysettledfar 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, “Evenafterthe 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 beenherat the beach.Herwho’d pressed that note in her hand.
Her who killed–
No.
There was no wayIrahad 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 painpoundedagainst 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.
