Page 65 of The Wildcard


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“Thank you. And I’m sorry for barging in like this.”

She saw the regret shine in his eyes when he looked back at her. Akash shifted on his heels, showing obvious signs of reluctance in letting her go like this but she shook her head and got up with a slight wince.

“Don’t tell anyone about this.”She signed and saw him frown at her actions. Sighed when he signed back,

“Fuck no.”

So not telling Cameron was out of the question.

Ray rolled her eyes and was about to respond when a loud buzzing filled the air. She jumped in surprise, just as Akash’s eyes shot down to the phone hidden in the pocket of her jeans.Who the hell had her number?

Ray frowned and removed her phone from her pocket, fighting the rush of pain at the small movement. An unfamiliar number flashed on the phone, making her scowl at the screen and look up at Akash in confusion.

He raised his eyebrows in question,who is it?

Ray shrugged but picked up the call nonetheless.

“Hello–”

“Where in hell are you?”

Thatvoice, that rage.Holy shit.Ray looked down at her phone and hung up before she could think. And winced at the stupidity of her actions. Akash, noticing her sudden actions, looked at her with a small frown. Ray only shook her head.

Don’t ask.

He didn’t. Just sighed and patted the top of her head as he walked past her to grab a T-shirt off his kitchen counter. Ray’s eyes narrowed as he handed her the blue cotton shirt and pointed at her to put it on. When she didn’t take it from his hands, he sighed,

“I removed it.” He said and Ray grabbed it and tugged it on, just as she mused softly,

“But left the shirt on?”

Akash’s soft chuckle filled the air as he moved to help her put it on. Still, the movement struck through her, making her wince and close her eyes in pain as the T-shirt finally landed softly against her skin. Ray sighed as she opened her eyes and saw him tip his head sideways as he moved to stand beside her. Placed a hand on her head. Ray breathed out, her jaw clenching at the familiar action. Despite his light hand on her head, Ray still felt the chilling fury hidden in his words as he whispered in her ears,

“Not long now.”he murmured, and her eyes swam with unshed tears. He saw the look, his own fingers curling, “Not long.”

She turned her head, his fingers fisting at her sides, and nodded once briskly. Saw his eyes flash with the anger none of them had forgotten, suddenly so sharp that it could cut through air.

And with that, Akash Smith ruffled her hair and left her standing in his living room. Ray didn’t look back, just started walking ahead and out his door without a single hint of hesitation. She would be alright. This plan would work. It would all work–

And hesitation came knocking at her door.

A buzz filled her hand, making her pause before the bike she’d ridden to Akash’s place. Ray looked down at her phone, frowning at the blaring screen before pocketing it without another glance. Angel De Santos might be a Raven, but she knew his alliance lay with the Lions. Knew how much he aspired tobecomea part of them.

And a part of her despised him for it.

She’d expected him to side with the Lions. To prove his allegiance to their alliance. But seeing it in person after seeing who he really was? Reallycould be?It somehow devastated her. Made her questioneverythingshe’d been working on foryears.

Ray reprimanded her train of thought as she picked up the bike with a groan and a wince. She’d left it on the ground as she’d tumbled up Akash’s porch, knowing that this was the only place where she wouldn’t be followed. Wouldn’t ever be found.

And now she was returning to the Lion’s den.

Ray’s phone buzzed in her pocket again, making her grunt in annoyance as the bike finally stood up and she swung her legs upon it. Her stitches were pulled to a dangerous degree, and she knew she should probably go to see David but that part of her didn’t sway her made-up mind. Instead, Ray just revved her accelerator, justonceto feel that rumble under her before she gave in to her curiosity and removed her phone from her pocket.

Saw 10+ unread messages from that unknown number. A surprised scoff left her lips as she opened his chat and read his messages, her eyebrows rising with each word.

Unknown: You did not just fucking hang up on me, Raylene Walker.

A laugh left Ray’s lips,