Page 16 of The Wildcard

When in reality, they were simply living in a gilded cage.

He was alone, the first to have gotten ready for tonight’s dinner, when he walked out of his room. There had been a guide in the beginning, a short, firm man with round glasses, who had shown them around the place. The second floor was forbidden, quite literally barred off to anyone staying downstairs. Angel clicked his tongue as he tucked his hands in the pockets of his trousers and strode ahead. As he walked, his gaze fell to the paintings that were aligned on the walls, some beautiful, some haunting.

Some both.

He would’ve kept walking if it hadn’t been for the soft clicking sound that had snatched his attention. Angel’s eyes, that were glued to the painting on his right, snapped ahead in an instant.

And stilled.

Oh,he thought with twinkling eyes when he saw the familiar set of dark black hair tied into a rough bun peep from behind the door,there she is. Angel could see the faint blue highlights in her hair, shining under the white light of the hallway.

His lips twitched into a faint grin as Raylene Walker walked out of the room with her honey eyes glued to her phone. He saw her close the door, strands of her hair falling forward as she bent her head and peered at the screen.

So she was on their floor, he realized and crossed his arms, leaning on the wall beside him, all alone, amongst vultures who posed as ravens.

It was as if she could hear his thoughts, could feel his presence because her eyes snapped up to his. Angel felt his own widening in pure amusement as sudden goosebumps woke upon his skin.How amusing. His grin only widened when those honey eyes narrowed. He ran a hand through his hair. Raylene Walker looked like hell on heels. The first time, she’d been in her pajamas, looking almost childlike with a gun in her hands. Now, though, Angel huffed,now she looked like danger.

And who knew danger looked so fine?

She was wearing a burnt ivory pantsuit. A vest that was brisque and cut-throat with its sheer deep neck and button-downs sat atop similar colored trousers that accentuated her long legs. The blazer with its peck lapel was the perfect addition. But what had Angel intrigued was that choker around her neck, a thick collar colored a soft orange.Some leash.

His grinned widened.

She must’ve noticed him looking at her neck because she clicked her tongue and his gaze snapped up. His lips switched to a small smirk as she cocked her head to one end and rose an elegant brow,

“Lost?” she asked, but her tone was anything but mocking.

It was her voice. Her twinkling and dangerous eyes, that brought forth an unholy sort of rage and irritation rushing through him. Still, he scoffed, maintaining his composure as he faced her.

“Yes.” He said when he so wasn’t. And saw her fingers rise and curl around the back of her neck as he continued, “I was hoping you could show me the way.”

Raylene didn’t give him a thing and he pushed off the wall at the lack. Uncrossed his arms and strode in her direction. He saw her eyes dip to his outfit as well. Angel had ditched the blazer and had tucked his black shirt in his trousers while leaving the first two buttons open. He saw her eyes come and rest on the red glass that hung from his neck and he almost balked. Almost hid it away, before finding himself.

He was closer to her now, his eyes glittering under the white light as he stopped until he was right in front of her. Angel didn’t know what he was expecting her to do when he raised his brows and placed his forearm right above her head to lean in closer.

But it wasn’t her leaning back against the closed door and tilting her chin up to gaze up at him.

This close, Angel could smell the faint scent of perfume that touched her neck, her shoulders. And a wave of nostalgia washed over him.

“So, you’re the mediator.” He started and saw her cross her arms. She blinked once, “We’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Her eyes didn’t show an ounce of emotion. Not a single ripple or dip into her feelings when he leaned in closer, and she said politely. Softly.

“Welcome to the manor.” He almost started laughing at the way her back straightened, the way her calm gaze matched his and she continued, “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here.”

“Why so formal, storm?” he asked quietly but didn’t touch her.

Raylene looked up at him through hooded eyes.

So professional, so quiet and subdued compared to the raw anger she’d shown him the first time. It pissed him off. Made him want to–

First, she was a wildcard in his plans, and now she was being like this?

“I’m afraid we should move now, Mr. Santos.” She said and another wave washed over him.How annoying, he thought as he pushed away from her,it was almost as if she were given instructions.

He blinked.That’s it.

Angel was about to say something when Raylene walked past him, not a hitch in her steps as she rolled her shoulders. He scoffed and hurried his pace to walk beside her. She didn’t look up at him as he followed her silently, looking at her erect pose. Her professional stride. And all he wanted to do was ruffle that rough, poised exterior.