Fucking assholes. All of them.
“I understand. That’s why I’m here.” She responded, keeping her voice light and quiet even as tremors ran down her spine, “I’m just doing my job.”
Her head tilted to nudge in the girl’s direction, but she didn’t dare look away from Maya, “I’m here for her. For the potential leads she could provide. Nothing more.”
Ray saw the tick in Maya’s jaw. The firstrealemotion she’d shown in days. The raw, feral anger however was wasted on Raylene Walker. Because there was no way inhellshe was going to step out of her way.
“Stick to your words Raylene.” Was Maya’s smooth response, so icy that Ray’s blood froze in fear.
She tried to shake herself out of it and was almost close to doing so when a murmur of words began behind her. Ray didn’t turn but heard the small girl saying words that weren’t audible to her. Her shoulders stiffened at the desperation in those inaudible words. At thereekof fear and anguish, they brought forth.
“She’s praying.” Maya whispered, far too close to Ray now, “Hear that? She’s praying.”
Ray’s chest hollowed out, all air leaving her lungs as Maya gave her a once over, “Don’t play God Raylene.” She said softly, and Ray might as well have died at the threat in her voice, “You won’t stay alive for long.”
The threat was clear. Maya’s eyes were wary now, almost bored when Ray noticed the silence of the room. No one, notoneof them had dared to speak up. Her teeth clenched at theircowardice, her fingers tightening into fists as her honey eyes sparked with that flame. The same flame Maya had seen when she’d recruited her.
Theveryflame that had gotten her to where she was now.
“She isn’t praying to me.” She responded, her voice quiet but still echoing through the stone chamber, “No one has ever mistaken me for God yet Mrs. Larsen.”
“No one untilyou.”
Dangerous game,Ray was playing a dangerous game. But it seemed to work in her favor because a rare smile flitted across Maya’s lips as she gazed back at her. The same smile she’d gotten the day Maya had begun her tests to accept her in the Lions.
To determine her rank. Herworth.
Maya didn’t respond. Just waved her hand in the air and turned on her heels slowly without another word. Ray didn’t move, not until she saw Maya glide past Kyle and Verana and step out the doors. Alessandro’s shoes hissed against the floor, drawing Ray’s wary attention. The man’s lips twitched at her, his eyes gazing into hers as he rubbed his chin,
“Do as you wish with the girl.” He said gruffly, sounding amused, “But get me a lead by today.”
Ray ducked her chin ever so slightly and saw the man walk past them as well, murmuring something incoherent under his breath.
Surprisingly, the pain didn’t hit her immediately. Or maybe, a part of her had unexplainably gone numb to it. And yet, she could feel tremors rock her body like damned bullets. Andhell, if they weren’t on a roll.
She was staring off into space when her brain scrambled for the next course of action,
“Verana.” Her voice had gone soft now, devoid of any fight as she heard Verana’s footsteps shuffle closer, “Take her to my room. Get her bathed and dress her wounds.”
For once Verana didn’t argue. Ray’s entire body was threatening to bow in exhaustion. But still, she turned on her heels and faced the girl on the floor. Regarded her through a wary gaze as Ray bent with a wince.
The girl was small and could be easily mistaken for an eleven-year-old. But Ray knew she was older than she looked.
Her body was curled into a small ball when Ray shifted closer to her. That small head snapped up immediately, and Ray was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of blue-grey eyes glaringrightinto hers.
“You’re thesame.” She spat in Italian, making Ray’s brows rise, “You’re all the same. I thought you were different. I–”
“Shh,” Ray said, closing her eyes to fight the wave of pain that crashed over her, and opening them again to look at her intently, “I want you to go with her.” Ray said in Italian and pointed in Verana’s direction, “And she’ll take care of you until I get back.”
The girl opened her mouth to argue but Ray shook her head, “Do as I say, or you’ll die.” She said, knowing her words were too harsh, but she couldn’t help it. She’d just taken a whip atop her abdomen injury. She wasn’t in any mood to entertain small girls.
Ray got up with a small groan at the back of her throat, placing her hands on her knees as she did so and swiveled on her heels.
Her eyes were on the door when Kyle’s soft voice broke through her demeanor.
“Where are you going?” he asked, and Ray sighed but didn’t cease walking towards her door. Just threw her head back and closed her eyes briefly,
“Follow me and I’ll cut your dick off and hand it to you.” Was all she said before she walked out the door.
