“She should be arriving with Mia today.” He replied smoothly, showing no signs of his previous surprise.
Maya nodded and looked at Kyle, “I’m afraid you’ll have to go to the airport again today.” She said but Luke cut in politely,
“You need not worry, Mrs. Larsen.” He said softly and Maya’s eyes turned to him, slowly. Ray could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Luke continued, “We’ve already made preparations to get them.”
“But if Kyle and Verana would like to come along,” Christina’s voice cut through before Maya could interject, “They are welcome to do so.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that.” Verana’s voice was sudden, surprising most of them. She leaned forward, and a lock of her dark hair spilled over her shoulder, attracting Luke’s eye immediately. Ray prayed Maya wouldn’t notice as they looked at each other and Christina responded,
“Alright.” She said and Ray let out a breath.
A sudden silence descended upon them, and for God knew what reason, her gaze cut to Angel’s. His amber eyes were already looking at her harmlessly, but she still tilted her head in question. He didn’t seem to respond. Not as a loud screeching sound filled the room. Maya got up from her seat, her husband following suit as she looked at Ray,
“Good luck today.” She said and turned to Angel, “I hope you’ll prove to be useful Angel De Santos.”
A loaded statement.
But Ray knew Angel had held onto the Ravens for far too long now.
He didn’t balk at her words, but didn’t take lightly them either,
“I hope we both have similar outcomes with this alliance as well, Mrs. Larsen.”
Ray averted her gaze, her lips threatening to twitch as Maya raised a brow but didn’t smile. Didn’t look as though she was going to anytime soon.
“Oh right,” she said instead, and Ray perked up. This close she could see her rumpled clothes, her messy hair, “Before I forget, you can take the car around. Both you and Angel.”
Ray nodded, making sure to show her appreciation as Maya stepped away from her table and started walking out,
“Go out and ask for one particular man,” she continued and paused as she tried to remember his name. Turned to Kyle with furrowed brows, “His name?”
Kyle’s response was immediate.
“Sorin Ardelean.”
Ray froze.
“Right!” Maya said, not noticing the pure surprise on Ray’s face, “Call for Sorin Ardelean. He’s your driver for today.”
Ray didn’t have to turn to Angel to know the equal surprise that mirrored on his face.
If that man had the guts to invade them while knowing his identity was fucked, her eyes rose to Angel’s when Maya walked out,what else was he capable of?
* *
“Are we just a fucking joke?” Jack roared as soon as they walked out of the dining arena, leaving Kyle, Ray, and Verana behind for the moment. Angel’s steel eyes snapped to his, and Christina shushed him. But Jack’s eyes were ablaze with the same anger that was pumping through his blood.
It was foolish of them, Angel couldn’t help but think as Jack shut up beside him,foolish to threaten them like this.
He tucked his fists in the pocket of his trousers as they strode ahead. The door opened as soon as they neared it, making Angel blink at the howling wind outside. He swivelled his head to look at Jack and saw Christina place a comforting hand on his shoulder,
“It won’t be long now.” She started and those hazel eyes matched his. Angel saw the ferocity in that gaze, “Would it?”
All three of them turned to him in response. Angel scoffed out a laugh at their deadly expressions, “Relax,” he said but saw them all tense, “And quit looking at me like you’re about to kill me.”
“Then why don’t you tell us what the hell is going on here?”
Angell shook his head, a rueful smile on his lips, “That’s no way to talk to your leader.” He said and tipped his head forward, bringing forth a lock of his hair on his forehead.
