“Try that again Storm.”
And with that, stepped away from her in a swift motion. Ray’s eyes shuttered in annoyance and something else as Angel grinned down at the girl and said in a triumphant tone,
“Shall we?”
He heard Ray’s sigh when the girl nodded.
* *
“This is only going to be easy if youmakeit easy for us,” Ray said, her voice edgy as they sat in Angel’s room. Angel was in the shower, and Ray had been trying to get the girl to talk for the past ten minutes since she’d reached back here. Instead, the little brat sat with her hands crossed and her back erect against the headboard of Angel’s large bed.
They hadn’t told anyone they were back and had made sure no one knew by entering through the back entrance of the house, barely hiding from the staff that was roaming the floors. Being back in this place after the beach house and after Akash’s place was almost stifling. But it was something sheneededto do. So here they were, stuck in Angel’s room as Ray tried to think of ways to get the girl to start talking.
“You need to calm down.” Angel’s amused voice drawled from the open door of the washroom. Ray winced, not having noticed him come out when she dragged her gaze to see him standing there. He was wearing sweatpants and nothing on top. A white towel hung from his neck and he used it to ruffle through his wet hair. Her eyes snagged on his chest of their own accord, her throat drying at the ripple of muscles–
Ray averted her gaze, annoyed at herself for ogling but thankfully not blushing as Angel purred from the doorway,
“Like what you see?”
A scoff stuck in Ray’s throat as her eyes snapped back to look at him, “Yeah.” She stated and saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes as she raised an elegant brow, “Problem?”
“Can you two not–” the girl’s voice finally spoke up, making both her and Angel jump in surprise.
She barely heard Angel murmurChristunder his breath as she turned to face her. The girl brushed her short strands of hair to one side, clutching a pillow to her chest as she scrunched her nose up, “Flirt.”
A chuckle left her lips at the tone of her voice, a wave of relief washing over her as Ray straightened, “Okay now that you’re talking,” she started, her eyes daring the girl to stop now, “Let’s start easy.”
“What’s your name?”
The girl’s eyes darted to Angel and back to Ray. Suddenly realizing something, Ray shook her head, “Oh no…” she started waving her hands in his direction, “Don’t worry about him. He’s useless here. He won’t do anything,”
“Thefuck,”Angel snapped, “That wasnotwhy she looked at me.”
Ray waved a distracted hand in the air, still looking at the girl, “Sure.” She said as if appeasing a child. She heard Angel’s foreign curse echo through the room as he turned and opened his closet with a loud bang. Ray fought a smile as she willed the girl to go on. To start speaking.
She licked her lips once, her eyes darting around in slight hesitation before she blurted out, “Ira.” She said, a hint of accent visible in her words the girl winced but continued, “I’m Ira. I’m fourteen.”
Ray nodded, fighting the look of horror and sorrow in her eyes as she gazed back at Ira. She was wearing a large jacket – probably Angel’s – and her sweatpants. Her short hair was brown, and it shone with the sinking sun. Still, her blue-grey eyes were desperately etched with a sort of awareness that she’d been forced to learn. Ray hadn’t seen Ira smile, and the thought hit her right in the middle of her chest.
Brought back the memories flooding back into her mind.
She shook her head and continued, making sure to keep the tremor out of her voice. But by the way Angel’s hand stalled against the handle of his closet, she wasn’t doing a very good job,
“Okay, Ira.” She said, “My name’s Raylene. Raylene Walker. I’m nineteen.”
Ray took a deep breath, preparing herself and Ira for the incoming question. But she knew it had to be asked. Knew that was the only way she could keep Ira alive. The girl saw it too, because she straightened, a look of fear entering her eyes as Ray said softly,
“Who do you work for Ira?” Her words were soft but were laced with a firmness she made sure Ira caught. The other girl bit her lip, her shoulder beginning to shake as she dug her fingers into the pillow. Ray didn’t move from her spot, didn’t want Ira to think she meant any harm. But she did ask again, this time more firmly.
“It’s important you tell me who you work for. And how many of the past incidents have been orchestrated by your superiors.”
Or you,the stupid yet rational part of her thought.
Ray saw Ira’s lips purse, and her eyes cut to Angel’s briefly. But what she saw there steeled her resolve. Made her believe that she was asking all the necessary questions.
“Per favore Ira.” Ray said gently and saw the girl’s eyes snap up, “Youneedto speak to survive. To live.”
So I can save you. So I can help you.
