The walk out of the mansion was short. The drive to the event even shorter. It unnerved him at first. But then he looked at the serious faces of his friends around him, at the sheer faith they’d put in him every since they’d joined. Not once had Luke glanced in Martin’s direction when his father had coaxed him to become a spy. To keep an eye on his golden son.
No, he’d chosen the boy who had once saved his life.
Never had Jack given him anything but his undying loyalty since middle school. Since he and Luke had banded together. Since they’d stumbled upon a fiery Christina Morris. And they’d all come together as one. Mia had come along late. Had come along knowing she’d be unwanted.
But Angel had taken one look at Miranda’s face and knew Mia was someone he’d always wanted but never had.
A sister.
They’d never been anything else ever since.
Angel breathed out now as he stepped out of the vehicle and at the bustling event. At the chatter that rose and rose with the orange lights that glowed in the evening sky. He looked to his right, saw Luke and Mia standing, gazing up ahead. Turned to his left and saw an exhausted Jack and a completely focused Christina.
He opened his mouth to say something when Mia’s voice cut through,
“Are you going to keep staring at us like a sappy idiot, or are we going to go?”
Angel’s mouth fell open in an offended scoff as Luke shook his head and even Christina murmured,
“Seriously.”
“WOW!” Angel drawled sarcastically and shot each of them withering looks, “You’re all assholes.”
When none of them responded Angel snorted and shot up ahead, ignoring them all together. Ignoring the cackle behind him as he neared the people who were responsible for the weapons. The two people, one man another woman barely had an emotion on their face when Angel removed the two guns from his back and placed them in the basket. He shot the man a serene smile as he moved ahead to pat him down.
When all of them were done, they were ushered inside.
And were immediately greeted with so much life and laughter that Angel thought he might’ve landed at anactualparty. And it weren’t for Jack’s sharp inhale beside him, he would’ve still been staring at the faces he recognized all around him.
“Damn,” Jack murmured, and Angel hummed in question, but turned his head to follow his line of sight.
And froze.
He should have beenarrestedfor the way he began gawking.
He saw the honey tint of her eyes first. Then he saw her blue waves shining in the light.
Then he saw her dress.
And he might’ve died.
Raylene Walker was dressed too perfectly for her role. She was wearing an off shoulder ball gown, with a midnight black over coat on the back of the dress. It merged and glittered against the orange of her dress. Against those intricate patterns that he wanted to trace with the tip of his fingers. Her scar was hidden like it’d never existed before. Ray hadn’t noticed them yet, was talking to someone he didn’t recognize when she turned, showing him her back.
All his thoughts literally flew out of his head. There was no other way to describe it.
Her shoulders, a wide expanse of her back was bare until the off shoulder sleeve of her dress. She was wearing orange black gloves, ones that shimmered as she moved to face everyone.
Everyonehere was wearing something new. Something different. And it was their pride. Their gain over the years.
But as Angel saw Raylene Walker turn around again. Saw her eyes match his and light with a sort of fire he hadn’t seen before, he realized something.
While everyone wore their beautiful clothes, their lovely designs with pride, withmoney–
She wore hers like armor.
Like a shield and a target at the same time. Taunting andhauntingthose who dared cross her.
Her lips turned into a serene smile, with a hint of insanity as she saw him and raised a hand to wave in his direction. Angel barely noticed Jack wave back enthusiastically. Or barely saw Luke cross the venue to grab a drink.
