Page 134 of The Wildcard

Angel bristled just as Irene growled, but took a step back nonetheless. He understood her problems and knew what their alliance would mean for the world. Their peace, which had been maintained for so long, would be rocked back and forth with the rise of larger power. Angel understood that fear in all their eyes because now that he and the Larsens had joined hands, their focus would turn to the rest of the world.

He saw the way Irene gritted her teeth, unable to speak her mind without proving to be a loose tongue. Without spilling all their deepest fears. Angel peeked a look in Maya’s direction and clenched his fists at the hungry gleam in her eyes.That’swhat they’d been searching for.That’s why they’d held this in front of the entire world.

Angel let out a breath, already worried about their future endeavors as he took a step forward, “Irene Sinaga,” he began, making sure to keep his tone low and daring. The crowd seemed to shake in response, but his eyes were solely on the girl. Her copper eyes snapped up to his, a dangerous glint in that glare as he tipped his chin upwards,

“Have we ever given you a reason to question our decisions?”

The girl seemed to flinch back at the question. Angel’s shoulders straightened, anungodlyamount of annoyance rushing through his veins as he plowed forth, “Have we questionedyouwhen you decided to form discrete alliances yourself?”

Ray’s hand was warm beside his when he took a step ahead and stood beside her. She didn’t move, but Angel could feel the tension, theagitationpour off her in waves. He willed her to calm even as his heart thudded in his chest. She did no such thing.

“Those alliances weren’t formed when they lost half their resources.” Akash said, stepping ahead as well, his dark eyes flaring in silent rage. Angel’s brows rose in surprise, but he faced him dead on as the other boy crossed his arms and looked in Kyle’s direction,

“The timing of all this seems a little convenient, doesn’t it?” he asked him, his tone sharp enough to cut through the dark atmosphere, “Have the Lions resorted to grasping at straws?”

Angel’s eyes widened. He hadn’t taken Akash for a fool, not when they’d managed to haul their asses to the ground last year. A tad bit of an insect, but never a fool.Unless–

“You might want to tread carefully Akash.” Came Alessandro’s cool yet simmering response. Angel felt the tone snap him out of his thoughts, “I have great respect for you and your family. Do not tarnish it now.”

Akash’s eyes were dead calm when he turned to look back at Alessandro, “When?” he asked, a dangerous undertone to his words, “When you sold us out for information last year? After you played a hand in our downfall?”

This was getting treacherous.

And there was no way Akash would get out of this unscathed.

“Throwing accusations now?” Ray said from beside him, her voice pure ice as she swiped her hair away from her face, “Are you sure you want to go there?”

Maybe Angel had imagined the good rapport between Ray and Akash. Because now they stared at one another like they wouldn’t mind–

“You think we wouldn’t find out who planted that spy amidst our people?” he said evenly, “Who framed us until we were nothing but sittingducks for the Ravens?”

Sudden shivers erupted down Angel’s spine, his eyes narrowing.What the hell was he talking about?Akash’s wary gaze turned to his, his hands lifting to tuck in his pockets as he tipped his chin in distaste,

“I told you we played no hand in spying your facilities.” He said and Angel grit his teeth. A year. A year of listening to the same thing over andover again,“I trusted you to believe that we had noneedof your resources.”

An abrupt laugh followed his words, and Akash shook his head as a dark smile tilted his lips,

“And yet here you are. Banding the ones who tried to steal from you in the first place.”

Angel stalled. Just a second.

“Your attempts at reigniting a war we’ve stopped areuselessAkash,” Maya said finally, her hands lacing ahead as she tilted her head in malice, “You’ve done enough damage to last a lifetime. Walk away before I have someonehaul you away from here.”

Everyonewaited for a beat.

The threat in Maya’s voice wasn’t empty. Wasneverempty.

He saw it in the way Ray moved her hands, the way Kyle prepared the people in the shadows. The way Alessandro glared down in distaste.T

he way Maya remained motionless.

And Angel wanted to say something.Do something,when–

The entire crowd seem to stiffen as an echo of laughter carried itself with the wind. Angel’s eyes snapped ahead, widening as he saw Akash Smith throw his head back androarin laughter. And it wasn’t just him.No,Angel thought as he watched Akash shoot Myra a knowing glance and saw the girl smile,it wasn’t just him.

It was him and Myra and Irene.

Another alliance.

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