Page 74 of The Wildcard

Now, Kyle sighed from Ray’s bed, and flopped back, his hands behind his head. Angel was leaning against the wall, almost guarding the door from opening or any eavesdroppers as he listened to them argue. A faint smile touched his lips as Ray glared back and put her hands on her hips,

“Don’t give me thatbullshitVerana.” She snapped and looked at Kyle as well, “Both of you can drop the fucking act. We have more important things to deal with anyway.”

“What are you going to do with the girl?” Kyle’s voice cut through her words, and Angel’s shoulders stiffened. Ray, however, didn’t even blink as she shot back,

“That remains between me and Alessandro.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed in frustration, his hands visibly clenching on the cover of her bed but he didn’t continue. Ray shook her head and swiveled to look at Angel with raised brows.

Go on,she seemed to say, and Angel pushed away from the wall, taking a step forward. Kyle sat up then, his shoulders drawn tight as he glared at him through his glasses.

Angel fought the smirk on his lips,so he hadn’t forgotten his jab from before. Good.

“Ever wonder who ratted you out?”

Not a very good start, he thought as a tired sigh left Ray’s lips. It brought forth a wave of satisfaction burning through him just as Kyle pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with more force than necessary.

“Comeon,” Angel said playfully and looked Kyle dead in the eye with a smirk on his lips, “I know you want to find out who told me about Raylene Walker joining your ranks.”

His jaw tightened, his hands flexing at his side once before he shifted on Ray’s bed and got off. Angel watched him move, a triumphant grin playing on his lips as Kyle's cool voice replied tightly, “We believed in your intel. But that doesn’t mean we haverats.”

Angel’s smirk only stretched at the way he spat out the word. He was about to taunt him back when Ray snapped from beside him,

“Fuckinghell,just geton with it.”She snarled, and Angel scoffed in surprise as she turned to Angel, “Quitbaiting him.”

Turned to Kyle, “And stop biting it like a gaping fish.”

Angel wanted to laugh but took one look at Ray’s clenched fists and the vein popping on the side of her neck and cleared his throat, “I know who your rat is. He might’ve helped us, but he was mistaken if he thought our allegiance was with anyone but the Lions.”

Verana interrupted, her tone doubtful, “Why?”

Angel made sure to keep his gaze bored as he spared her a glance,

“Because we want to maintain our peace. No more wars.”

Kyle seemed happy with that response because the boy bounced back on his heels impatiently and waved a hand in the air for him to go on. Angel glanced at Ray, confirming for the last time and she nodded.

Go on.

“Sorin Ardelean.” Angel said, and an odd silence descended upon them. But it wasn’t because Ray leaned back against the door of her room, or Verana’s look in Kyle’s direction.

No, it was because of Kyle’s sudden stilled figure. His eyes, which were averted, suddenly snapped in focus as he slowly looked up at Angel.

“Say that again.”

Angel frowned, crossing his arms as he noted the smallest trace of rage hidden in those icy words. Even Ray seemed to step forward in surprise at his tone, her arms slack at her sides as she said carefully,

“Why? Did you not hear him?”

Only a fool would mistake her tone for concern. Kyle’s eyes flashed, a sneer suddenly visible on his face as he stalked forward,

“Sorin Ardelean?”he snapped, and Ray’s eyes widened beside him. Angel didn’t back down with the other boy neared him, suddenly so angry at…what?

“Thefuckingdriver?” Kyle continued icily, his shoulders lifting in emphasis. Angel’s chin tipped back, and he looked down at him blankly,

“Why? Is he family?” his words were meant to mock his reaction, but it only seemed to douse Kyle. He visibly calmed, raking a ruffled hand through his hair as he took a step back and rasped,

“How do you know?”