Kyle had taken his father’s eyes and his mother’s blonde curls. This close, Ray could see the dangerous elegance Maya oozed, as she bent to Ray’s face level and smiled.
Ray didn’t return her favor, and Maya’s smile widened. She stood back up and turned to face her husband, who was eyeing Ray with a scrutinous eye.
“Speak.” Maya’s voice was sharp despite the warm smile on her lips. Ray blinked once and rolled her shoulders, forcing her mind to calm.It was going to be alright, she told herself as she raised her numb gaze to the couple standing ahead.
“Everyone knows about your potential alliance with the Ravens.” She said, not a hint of emotion in her eyes. She raised her chin as Alessandro’s gaze zeroed in on her and she noticed a touch of anxiousness seep into the atmosphere.
Fuck it.
“Once you announce the alliance, you can officially pick me as your mediator.” Ray didn’t bristle as Kyle’s gaze cut to her, but she noticed how Maya’s chin tipped upwards in sudden interest. It gave her the confidence she needed, “It will give me the advantage to approach them. Find their weakest points. And when the time is right,”
“Ruin them.” Maya finished lightly and Ray nodded.
She chuckled lightly and turned to Alessandro, who was rubbing his stubble with a questioning look in her direction. Maya’s smile widened,
“Martin De Santos has been on our asses for a while.” She started, lifting a shoulder in the air, “They think a small group of vigilantes can bring them down. What do they call themselves?” she asked, turning to her son. Kyle smirked and crossed his arms,
“They don’t have a name.”
“Brilliant!” Maya clapped, “He’s afraid of a nameless group. And that’s forced him into a corner. Now’s our best chance to strike.”
Alessandro didn’t avert his gaze from his face, “They say a cornered dog is far more vicious than we expect. They turn and bite you back.”
It was Kyle who answered, “Desperation is dangerous.” He said and Alessandro turned to his son. Kyle’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses as a small smile curved his lips, “But that doesn’t mean we can’t use it. We simply dangle bait and wait for them to bite.”
“What makes you so sure?” Verana challenged and Ray, who had been silent for far too long, continued in his heed.
“If it is you who has cornered the dog, then it’ll bite you back.” She started quietly, and all their eyes fell on her. One by one. “But if you make them trust you, if you sell those promises filled with lies thoroughly, then they’ll devote their life to you.”
She lifted her head and looked at Alessandro with a maniacal look in her eyes, “And suddenly it won’t matter what you want to do to them. Because they’ll follow you like sheep in a herd.”
They were all silent for a minute.
But Ray knew it had worked. Saw it by the glint of light in Alessandro’s eyes, by the twitch of Maya’s lips, and Kyle’s triumphant look.That’s it, Ray purred,bite the fucking bait.
“There’s a black sheep in that herd though,” Verana said then and Ray looked at her over her shoulder, raising her brows in question.
“Angel De Santos.” She sang and Ray’s gaze flickered so quickly that none of them noticed it, “He’s out for your blood like a hound, what will you do about that?”
“She’ll kill him.” Was Alessandro’s sharp response. Surprised, Ray turned to face the man as he rubbed his stubble again, “Angel De Santos is a smart boy. Has been since a young age.”
Ray bristled as he continued, “He brought down a major king and took their place.” He turned to face Ray, his smile inching upwards. She couldn’t miss the sparkle in his eyes as he talked about him, “But he isn’t invincible.”
His sharp eyes narrowed, “Give him enough to keep him off our asses.” He said and Ray nodded, “Your job is to strike when they’re the most vulnerable. Not before. Not after. Angel De Santos will be a hindrance in the beginning, but he will be bound by the rules of the alliance.”
It was concerning how Alessandro was so fond of Angel considering they were in different places in this world. Despite that, Ray nodded again and Alessandro turned on his heels, motioning for Kyle to follow him. With a nod in her direction, Kyle strode behind Alessandro and out the doors. As father and son walked out the doors, Maya’s head turned over her shoulder and her brown eyes gazed into Ray’s intently.
This time, when Maya smiled, Ray returned her gesture.
Smiled a razor-sharp grin in return.
* *
“You’ve been staring at that piece of paper for five whole minutes.” A female voice snapped him out of his daze. Almost delirious with the wave of nausea that washed over him as he glanced at the paper again, Angel gulped. He read the words again.
“A festival! Let’s put our differences aside and celebrate. You are invited to our beautiful island for a week.
Join us for a good time, and a life-long of surprises.
