Click.
No one said anything for a second. And Ray tapped her foot in frustration and gave in to her stupid mind.
“Tell me I should do this.” She said, making sure to whisper her words in a foreign language.Tell me I’m not jumping into this blind. That I’m not making a terrible decision because of my stubborn mind.Ray waited for a pause. Just a second. And then the voice on the other end breathed out, the smallest chuckle.
“Rip the fucking bandage, sweetheart.”
Click.
That hadn’t been her question but–
Ray huffed out a laugh, her composure returning as her eyes cleared.
After hearing those words and having a sense of reason back in her mind, Ray was ready to talk. Was ready to deliver her words without looking like a hard-headed idiot.
Manipulation,she thought to herself as she knocked on the doors of their meeting room,is the best form of survival.
“Come in.” a rough, gravelly voice said from the other side. And Ray breathed out in an attempt to calm her nerves before she twisted the knob.
Alessandro and Maya were sitting on the opposite end of the round table, both their arms crossed as a flutter of papers surrounded them. Those green eyes were narrowed in her direction just as Maya uncrossed her hands and leaned back in her seat. The temperature dropped, and a burst of goosebumps erupted down her spine as Alessandro drawled,
“I don’t like waiting, Raylene Walker.” He said, his voice so low, so dangerous. Ray’s lips parted to respond but he held up an unflinching hand, his eyes like embers as he continued, “Rememberthat.”
So not dead yet.
Praying silently in her mind, Ray remained rooted in her spot, lacing her hands in front of her as she dipped her chin as a sign of apology and obedience. Both the Larsens seemed happy with her actions because both their shoulders relaxed. Ray breathed out as Alessandro placed an impatient hand against the glass table and tapped his fingers, an arpeggiated sound erupting from the action.
“What do you have for us?” Maya said silently, her eyes slowly lifting to Ray’s in sheer boredom, “Afteryou interrupted my attempts at breaking the girl.”
Breaking the girl.
A roar began in her ears at those words. Thoselifeless, destructivewords and a flame flickered back in her stance as she lifted her chin and answered,
“I have two things. Two tasks completed.” She began and saw Maya lean forward, a clear sign of interest.
Ray’s gaze swiped to Alessandro’s and back to Maya’s, “I have a replacement for the Krafts.”
Maya huffed out a laugh, her head turning away as she pressed a hand to her brows but waved at her to continue.
“The Hassans.” Ray started, her words enticing a snapping gesture from Maya and Alessandro both. Their heads snapped up, their eyes going wide in disbelief as Ray continued, undeterred, “Noah Hassan to be exact. His business with the Ravens has brought them to the position they stand at today.”
Alessandro’s green eyes flared, “And yet they’ve come to us for an alliance.” He snapped back, clearly offended by her words. But Maya placed a hand on her husband’s, a calm yet chilling smile lifting at the corner of her lips as she motioned for Ray to continue.
“That wasMartin.” Ray said, quiet but firm, and saw Alessandro freeze. A wave of satisfaction washed over her at his reaction, and she had to force herself to stop her lips from tipping, “Angel De Santos has maintained a profitable relationship with the Hassans. And by doing so, can gain an upper hand in any situation.”
Ray couldseethe gears turning in Maya’s mind, trying to figure out if Ray was bluffing. But she’d never let the Lions down, notoncesince she’d been appointed to her job. Her job of defining the alliance had beenperfect,and even Maya knew that. Ray couldseethat she did. Maybe it was with that confidence in her that Maya nodded, a smirk on her lips, and looked up at Ray,
“If you can manage to get Noah Hassan on board, then we will have no issues in replacing the Krafts.” She said, her gaze calculating as she spoke. Ray breathed out, her chest deflating as she saw that sheer ice in Maya’s eyes.
So cruel,Ray couldn’t help but think,some people could be so cruel and inhumane.
But was she any different?
“And what of the girl?”
Alessandro’s jagged question came like a bullet. Ray’s eyes sharpened, but she made sure to keep her annoyance, herrageto herself as she looked at both of them and forced her facial expressions to relax.
“She broke.” Ray said and saw Maya’s eyes flare. Despite her reasoning, a smug look crossed her eyes as she looked at Maya, “And she shared some vital information.”
