“I was just voicing my concerns,” he started, and she shook her head, hooking her thumbs in the waistband of her trousers as she cocked her head sideways. She saw him shudder once, stumbling upon his words as he saw her movement and take a smooth step forward,
“I’ve known them all my life. And you’ve come from nowhere. How am I supposed to just accept a stranger who’s in charge of this major change?”
Raylene sighed, her eyes catching his movement as he wove a hand through his hair and took a step past her, moving to get out of her room. She saw him wait for her response, his head turning over his shoulder with a slight frown.
Looking at him like this made her wonder if he’d managed to win Alessandro over with his pure wickedness or loyalty. Because no matter how she looked at it, Angel De Santos seemed like a perfect actor.
He was in the Lion’s good favor and was quite close to Kyle as well.What could this mean for them? For her?
Angel was turning back to the door when she snapped out of her thoughts. Ray saw his shoulders tense as he twisted the knob and pulled the door open. She didn’t say anything as the door opened without the slightest sound. Instead, she saw him step out in the hallway and turn back to look at her, again with that quiet, soft look in his eyes.
That good of an actor?
“This alliance is good for both of us.” He said after a moment’s pause and Raylene crossed her arms. Angel looked so young suddenly, with a small yet boyish smile on his face as he said the next words,
“Don’t ruin it, storm.”
There it was.
Raylene smirked as she heard the slight strain in his voice. Saw his eyes flash. It bothered him, being this docile. This calm, with her. She couldn’t help it. A chuckle left her throat and she saw as he froze in his tracks. Raylene saw as his fingers tightened on her door’s knob and pressed her lips together to stop herself from grinning too widely. Instead, she looked up at him and shook her head,
“Don’t try to become all soft now Santos.” She teased and saw his eyes widen by a fraction. Felt the atmosphere cool as a flame of annoyance flared in his eyes, “You’ve already shown what you are.”
“And what am I?” Angel probed, his voice strained. Ray grinned and took a few steps forward towards her door. She saw him stumble back in surprise and caught the flash of annoyance on his face as she grabbed the inside knob of her door and ripped it from his fingers.
“You’re a guy who hates me.”
His eyes sparked and he scoffed as she tilted her head innocently and smiled,
“Don’t fuckinglieabout it.”
Andslammedthe door right in his face.
They Crumble.
6
“So what’s the plan for today?” Luke’s smooth voice slipped through his thoughts, making him grip his coffee mug harder. It had been a restless night, with Raylene Walker’s words haunting his mind and that constant faint rustling he often thought he heard. Angel had awoken earlier and had been sitting in the same spot since sunrise when Luke had slammed his doors open.
Now that he’d seen Raylene Walker’s room, when Angel saw his brownish beige walls, he was constantly reminded that this place was a fucking mansion. His room was the same size as hers. It was complimented by rich brown furniture that somehow elevated the setting. Made it seem as though it were a royal’s room. But Angel had been with these people for a long time. He knew their minds, their plans.
Knew a bribe when he saw one.
When Angel had stepped into the room for the first time, he’d laughed at its atrocity. But despite his thoughts, it was purely a work of art he had to admire. Now, he sat on one of those comfortable brown chairs, his head angled to look out at the view. With the open windows came the strong gush of cool wind and the faint sounds of the waves crashing far away.
“Jack and Christina get here today, during the banquet. And Mia should be here tomorrow with her mother.” Luke continued and Angel finally looked up at him, his hold on his mug slackening.
“The banquet.” Angel breathed out and flopped back. He’d forgotten about the event. It was an introductory function where all the main groups would assemble.
People, gangs, and all the multimillion-dollar businesses that have been funding them for a while now would all come to this island and settle for the next few days.
Today they would hold a welcoming banquet, where everyone would be introduced to their society. Then until the last day here, the people would stay and enjoy the festivals, they’ll enjoy the island.
And by doing so, the Lions would profit from the sudden boost in customers around here. It was the perfect way of getting hands on their money. Perfect opportunity to get those who had wronged them right in the palm of their hands.
The Ravens had their share of business set up here as well. Had been since their peaceful relationship with the Lions had been established. While Alessandro made his money by joining hands with businessmen, Angel had opted to settle multiple businesses of their own all around the world. Harmless, almost invisible start-ups, booming businesses that brought forth the same wealth the Lions displayed to the entire world. Martin had handed over the finances, the business, to him a long time back. In the beginning, it had been his way of disciplining Angel. His way of punishing him for the sins his mother had committed. Now, however, after Angel had gotten accustomed to the power they wielded, he’d let off.
“The banquet indeed.” Luke chirped and Angel groaned, “What are we to do until then?”
