Because now as she smiled up at her, something deep inside Ray’s gut twisted like a sharp knife.
“Meet my sister. June Kincaid.” Maya’s voice fell like a tidal wave upon Ray, rendering her speechless. She barely noticed as Alessandro shook her hand politely and said some words in Italian,
“It's good to have you here,” he said, “I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”
“Oh Alessandro,” June’s voice was rough, was everything Ray had ever hated as she turned to look at her, “You don’t have to speak in another language for my sake.”
Alessandro’s eyes softened and Ray stiffened as June’s gaze zeroed in on Ray, “You can offer your condolences in English.”
Her words were honey-sweet, but the deadly glint in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Ray raised her chin, daring her to go on.
“Oh darling,” Maya’s sweet voice purred, her hand moving and landing on June’s shoulder, “I’m terribly sorry. Cole deserved to live a long, happy life with you.”
Ray stopped her urge to scoff out loud as June sniffed, her eyes moving from her to Maya, shining under the moonlight, “I’m sorry, it’s been months but–”
Maya shushed her, running a soothing hand down her back.
“Let’s not think of that now,” Maya said softly, and Ray turned away, biting her tongue as she did so, “For now, I think we can move the part down to the beach, can’t we?”
Her question was aimed at Alessandro, but Ray had stopped listening, too shaken to do so. A part of her knew Akash was trying to catch her eyes, but she wouldn’t mess it all up now. Not after they’d gotten so far. She’d win, she thought as Maya and June walked past her, June’s familiar eyes glaring in the dark as if saying,
I haven’t forgotten you.
I’m going to expose every dirty secret of yours.
Ray’s eyes were cold in response, a sudden rush of annoyance washing down her chest as she gazed back at her. Didn’t dare show an ounce of emotion until they walked past.
Her thoughts came to a screeching halt when she felt a warm hand touch her back gently.
She didn’t have to turn to know it was him. Angel leaned down, his lips against her ear as he whispered quietly enough for only her to hear,
“You’ll pay for before.” He said, and Ray couldn’t help it. Her eyes widened as a sudden laugh left her lips and she felt his entire body freeze behind her. She didn’t wait for his reaction though, just angled her head sideways and saw Kyle already looking at them, his eyes unreadable.
Panic crawled up her spine as Ray plastered a smile on her face, one even she didn’t believe “You said the beach’s true beauty shows at night.” She said softly and Kyle’s eyes lightened slightly. She kept her friendly demeanor up, knowing that he could decipher her tone. Understand the small figment of desperation in her eyes, “I hope you weren’t lying.”
His face lit up with a small grin, “I wasn’t.” he said and winked in her direction, “Shall we?”
She smiled and nodded, forcing herself to forget the panicked buzzing through her veins when Kyle turned to relay the same thing Maya had said to the entire crowd. In the meanwhile, Ray turned on her heels and faced those amber eyes head-on. His mouth opened but she beat him to it,
“Don’t forget,” she said, stealing the words right out of his mouth. His eyes darkened, a retort ready on his tongue when she shot him a small grin, “I know.”
And started walking past him without a backward glance.
* *
He really should be angry. Or at least a bit irritated. But as they all stepped off the light of the Larsen’s beach house and walked to the waterfront. He couldn’t bring himself to be.
The walk to the beach was dark, and Angel was walking beside Kyle, who was beside Ray.
Instead of listening in on their conversation as he usually would have, he was left wondering where Luke and the others were. His brows were furrowed in concern when he heard a faint cheer from far away.
All three of them froze, but Kyle only laughed silently as he faced Angel and said, “There they are.”
As if on cue, Angel saw all three of them race on the sand towards him. He heard Ray say something to Kyle, but he didn’t stop to listen. Instead, he turned in the sand with a grin on his face as he heard a familiar female voice call out his name,
“Angel!” was the only warning he got before Christina Morris caught up to him and grabbed onto his forearms, her hazel eyes dark under the night sky as she grinned up at him, “This place is great,” she panted, but her words were aimed at Kyle, who was standing behind him. Christina let go of his hands, her short bob swaying violently with the wind as she walked past him and started speaking animatedly,
“Honestly Kyle,” she started, and Angel smiled, turning to face Luke and Jack near him with similar grins on their faces. So easy, he couldn’t help but think,so easy to appear this friendly and happy in a deadly environment.
