“Cameron,” Angel signed with his hands and saw him shake his head, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
He shrugged, still that golden smile on his face as he signed back, “I’ve been busy.”
Angel thumped him on his back and they both grinned at each other boyishly. Out of all the people Angel had to interact with every day, Cameron was his absolute favorite. Not only had the boy inspired him to start learning a new language, but he’d also helped him out last year.
“Alright, ladies and gentlemen.” Kyle’s loud voice spoke over them, attracting their eyes. Angel saw Neera sign the words to Cameron as Kyle continued from where he was standing, “I’m sure you all know why you’re here today.”
Angel heard a scoff sound beside him, and he turned to face the tall and beautiful, Myra Jelani. The girl who’d been all smiles yesterday was glaring at Kyle, her arms crossed. Angel sidled closer to her with a knowing smile,
“Any issues?” he asked and saw Myra’s eyes roll in response.
“I woke up too early for this.” She muttered angrily, “I got here early and y’all had the nerve of arriving an hour late.”
Angel blinked, had they been late?Fucking Maya.
“I’m afraid we were asked to come at this time as well.” He responded, his voice playful. Myra hummed, a thoughtful look entering her eyes as Angel looked back ahead. What was the problem with him gaining a few more allies while he was here?
His eyes strayed to Ray, who was standing in front of Cameron, beside Akash. She looked over her shoulder as if noticing his stare and cocked a brow in his direction. Angel suppressed his smirk and turned ahead to face Kyle,
“Yesterday was quite a spectacle.” He continued and Angel shook his head, knowing exactly what he was getting at. Kyle wasn’t the type to jump into problems head-first. No, he was the type to dig through the ground and rip out the problem’s roots viciously.
“I don’t know how many of you were present at the scene yesterday,” he said, his voice cold as those green eyes looked at Cameron and Neera, “But I think those who weren’t there were saved a hell of a show.”
“I really hope you aren’t talking about me.”
A low voice slithered through the entrance of the empty hotel, attracting all their eyes. Angel scoffed out a laugh as Noah Hassan strode through the doors. His eyes black and almost dangerous as he tugged at his cuffs and looked up at Kyle with a careless smirk. He was wearing a dark blue blazer over a pitch black shirt on blue trousers. His silver rings glinted under the light as he raised his hand to rub his lower lip thoughtfully,
“I’d have pegged you as a smarter man, Kyle Larsen.” He said and ran an unrushed hand through his straight black hair.
“I don’t make accusations.” Kyle’s response was equally low, obviously not appreciating his humor in the entire situation. It was borderline rude, and so surprising for Kyle Larsen that it wiped the smile off Noah’s face,
“I didn’t kill your fucking aunt, Larsen.”
Noah’s candid response was only a reminder of who the Hassans were. A lethal business, hiding under the pretense of producing agricultural goods. It was a dangerous company, based all around the world with enough money to practically own a few gangs if they wanted to. They were different from groups like the Lions or the Ravens and didn’t represent any specific country like the others here did. The Hassans wielded their power through raw goods while secretly specializing in what the world relied most on today.
Technology. Data.
Kyle didn’t fall under the brimming rage in Noah’s eyes.
He just pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and turned to face the rest of them,
“You’re all here today to discuss the events that will be happening in the coming days.”
Noah’s scoff was loud and mocking.
One that Kyle did not excuse.
Those green eyes cut to his dangerously, flashing behind his glasses, “Interrupt me again Hassan, and we’ll find out what I can really do to you.”
His smirk only widened, and he opened his mouth to say something obnoxious yet again when Angel heard a loudthumpecho through the ground. They all paused and turned to the origin. A part of him wasn’t even surprised as Ray stepped forward with her arms crossed and her cold eyes staring right through Noah’s,
“Do not disrespect the people who own this island, Noah Hassan.” She said, her voice low and devoid of any emotion as she just stared at him, “You won’t find the consequences favorable.”
Noah scoffed out a laugh and took a step forward, “So we make introductions with threats nowadays?” he began, his steps unhurried as walked in her direction, “Isn’t that rude?”
He was too close to Ray now. He didn’t tower over her, but still made a show of leaning down as if she were a mere child,
“You must be the new recruit.” His tone was amused as he gazed at her with wide eyes. Angel watched them with acute amusement. Ray didn’t take a step back. Instead, they all saw her lean forward, her arms still crossed, her eyes dangerously wide,
