Page 3 of Angel Lost

A pudgy, well-dressed man lumbers toward me. I’m sure he was a looker once. Now, rolls of fat gather at his collar, threatening to choke him. He tugs at his jacket lapels as he stares me down. An uncle of Chano’s maybe? One of histios, although which one…who knows? They’re all assholes.

“Little Lorelei. So, you’re his weakness, huh?” He rocks onto the balls of his feet, humming. “We assumed it was Lottie, but he chose you over his sister, over his blood. Interesting.” He gives me a long, slow wink that is in no way friendly.

Ice slithers down my spine. For half a second, I’m that scared little orphan standing in front of my foster dad all over again.

But Frank’s dead. I killed him.

I bare my teeth, stepping smartly toward the sweaty bruiser. He trips over his own feet, turning and disappearing into the milling throng of people without another word.

It takes me a few breaths to calm my heart rate, longer to realize Chano’s in front of me peering down into my face, his own shoulders heaving.

“What did he say to you, chica?”

I place my hand on his muscled chest, inhaling his oaky scent. “Nothing, Chano. It’s not important.” I give a halfhearted shrug. “He was just stirring up trouble.”

Chano growls so deeply I can feel the vibration through the palm of my hands. “Tell me, now.”

“You can’t just order me around. I’m not one of your pledges.”

“If he threatened you, I need to know.” Chano grips both my shoulders and stares at me intently. “So, did he?”

Pulling away from him, I fold my arms across my chest. “He suggested it was clear I was important to you.” I toe the ground with my boot. “He was surprised you protected me over Lottie. It wasn’t a proper threat. Not really.”

Chano’s face darkens and he wheels away, snapping orders to his men. Two instantly peel away from the pyre and position themselves behind me, one on either side.What the hell?I don’t need protection. I follow Chano’s progress across the square. He stops at hismami’swheelchair, muttering a few words in her ear. Her hand flutters to her chest before she spins, nearly on the spot, wheeling herself into her house.

Chano watches her go, then returns to my side. “You’ll go back to Fates.”

“No.”

“You’ll go back until I have control of my gang.”

“Screw you, Chano,” I snap. “Your adrenaline is running high or something. I’m your Aeternum. I always was, and will always be, a target for anyone wanting to get at you.”

His scowl deepens, and he hunches his shoulders.Way to go, Lorelei. Make him more paranoid.

“You are not staying here, chica. Not after that. It could even have been one of mytiosthat opened the rip, let the hellions through the veil. No. You’re going. End of story.”

Chano’smamibreaks our standoff as she wheels herself back across the yard, thrusting a bag into my hands. My bag. I stare down at it, my jaw working.

“You can’t just pack my shit up and order me back to Fates Academy. I won’t go.”

He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine, Lorelei. Have it your way.”

I flash him a smile, but it melts quickly into confusion as he turns, calling for everyone’s attention.

He clears his throat, shooting me an apologetic glance. “Lorelei Bal is no longer welcome on Maverik turf.”

My jaw drops. “You asshole!”

Chano’smamipulls a face, gazing up to the sky briefly before turning to me.

“You heard my son, Lorelei. Time to go.” She pats my sleeve before ushering me toward the gate. “He has a flair for melodrama. Probably better if you’re not here for a bit, better for my Lottie too. It’ll settle soon. I’m sure we’ll have that cooking lesson before long.”

I can’t bear to look at him. How dare he? How dare he treat me like a child?

“Fine,” I growl, and I hear Chano’s relieved intake of breath behind me. I stomp after his mom, out of the courtyard, toward the portal. “If you don’t want me, I’ll go.”

Chano groans. “Lorelei, I didn’t say that!” His footfalls crunch after me.

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