Page 78 of The Wildcard


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“They’ve managed to cut us where it hurts.” She started tentatively, making sure to notice the glint in Maya’s eyes as she continued,

“And they know where to strike. Which makes them dangerous enough.”

“I’ll get Verana on this.” Maya cut in, her fingers laced together, the ever-perfect picture of a poised leader. Alessandro’s head lolled to look at her, his lips quirking further as he looked at his wife.No matter what happens here,Ray thought,these two would always remain knit together.

Not because of love.

“Ask her to use whatever means necessary.” Alessandro said, his words aimed at Maya, “I don’t want a nameless group to ruin anythingelse.”

But because of respect.

Ray nodded, lost in thought. The excitement from before was already jumping through her bones, coursing through her blood. But she forced herself past it as she moved to step back, only stopping as Maya changed their conversation.

“Raylene Walker.” Maya’s voice echoed and her eyes turned to face her. A silent gesture even as she caught the triumphant yet cunning look in those depthless eyes, “You’ve proved yourself to be a predator. At least to us.”

Alessandro’s beard twitched as a hungry grin flitted across his lips,

“Now it’s time to prove it to theworld.”

An odd sense of dread roiled in her stomach, making her forget the ache in her bones. The tear of her skin. In the silence that descended yet again, Ray finally heard thetick-tockof the clock behind them. Her gaze snagged to the clock, her eyes widening at the time.

Tick tockit went.

11:59 it read.

Ray breathed out, the excitement dying out in her veins. Her brows scrunched, her mind suddenly recalling Maya’s previous words.

Too obedient to not look like a fucking spy.

Her gaze snapped down, the excitement, the thrill fizzling out as she looked at the two of them sitting across the table. Something was wrong. Something was–

Maya’s lips turned so slowly. So quietly. Solethally.Ray’s breath caught, and she barely stopped herself from stumbling back as Alessandro lifted his hand and swayed it, as if asking someone to go. Ray knew she shouldn’t have, but her eyes still snapped away from them, and she caught it. The briefest shift of shadows. The smallest glint of metal under the moonlight. Her mind was a mess when she looked back at Maya,cursingherself for not having expected this. For having dodged the trapjust barely.

“And if you fail in doing that.” Maya said, lowering the octave of her voice, “Well,” with a cruel twist of lips, “Good luck.”

If she hadn’t brought back any leads, she would’ve died here tonight. They would’ve killed her.

A breath left her lungs, her eyes widening.

Tick tock.

“Do not ever forget to lock your windows at night again Raylene Walker.” Alessandro’s voice was calm. But Ray caught the undercurrent oftriumphin those words. A storm of silence, ofringing,began all at once in her mind.

That assassination attempt. Those hands on her neck.

The hatred thatbloomedin her blood was hot. Was deadly.Was a fucking reminder.She couldn’t believe she’d been sofoolish.So naïve in mistaking their intentions thus far. She should’ve guessed it. Should’ve been more prepared.

But this was good in its own way. Her heart calmed in her chest, a familiar undercurrent of cold numbness flowing through it as she forced the storm in her eyes to settle. Maya grinned maniacally at her attempts, placing her hand on Alessandro’s as she did so.

Ray didn’t dip her chin, didn’t let any emotion pierce her gaze as she waited. And saw Alessandro’s grin. Maya’s cold eyes.

It had been them.

“It wouldn’t matter either way.” Ray said, her tone taut withhatred,“Only cowards hunt at night.”

She’d dodged a bullet. But for how long would she be able to survive?

Ray didn’t bid them goodbye, nor did she wait for their permission to leave. Just turned on her heels and pulled the door open. And atstarkmidnight, she walked out with her head held high.