Page 105 of Sin Like the Devil

At the sounds of their reluctant retreat, I feel the warmth embrace me again, darkness creeping back in. With whatever magical drugs they’re pumping into me, I can’t say that I even want to wake up.

I float on a pharmaceutical cloud until the tug of someone pulling a needle from my arm drags me back to the surface. This time, the soft warmth of drugs has faded, pain exploding from every cell in my body.

My entire body pulses in time with each fresh wave of agony. Ribs burning, fingers aching, nose stuffy and sore. Excruciating pain emanates from my entire left arm. I’m convinced it’s on fire.

“Here she is, Warden. We’re easing her off the pain medication.”

What sounds like dress shoes tap closer.

“What have you done this time, Miss Bennet?” There’s a weary sigh. “Alright, lead him in.”

A door clicks then more footsteps approach. I must still be high. I’m imagining talking, dismembered legs hovering around my bedside with no bodies attached to them. Until another voice forces me to discard that hairbrained theory.

“Christ.”

“Jonathan,” Davis greets politely. “I hope we didn’t disturb you. How was the helicopter ride?”

“Fine. I was in a board meeting when you called. What’s the situation?”

“Your niece will recover with time. She took a severe beating.”

“Obviously,” he quips. “Unprovoked?”

“Unclear. Though as far as Miss Bennet is concerned, she would not struggle to provoke someone. It’s unlikely this was a motiveless attack.”

“Sounds about right.”

Yeah, definitely high. There isn’t a chance in hell that my uncle is here having a nice little chat with the goddamn warden. I haven’t seen Uncle Jonathan in years. He wouldn’t trouble himself.

“This role was supposed to keep her safe from further trouble.” Jonathan’s voice is matter-of-fact. “That was the agreement when her transfer was arranged.”

“Indeed it was.”

“Then what’s the issue here? Was my donation not sufficient?”

“Your niece has proven to be a difficult beast to tame. She steps beyond the bounds of her role on a daily basis. We can’t risk our operations with such a loose cannon anymore.”

Another longer, wearier sigh comes from my uncle. “These are precarious times for all of us.”

“Then you understand our predicament.”

“Of course, Abbott. I’ll deal with my niece. I’d appreciate your discretion in removing the threat against her while I do so.”

“On this occasion,” Davis agrees. “Any further conflict or disruption, and I’m afraid not even your investment in the corporation will keep her safe.”

“Naturally. You have a business to run.”

My uncle’s voice drips with detachment as he casually discusses my fate. Not even a moment’s hesitation before so quickly washing his hands of me all in the name of fucking business.

Betrayal is a silent knife in the gut, tearing past intestines and kidneys to reach something deeper. Something that was broken to begin with, but I hadn’t wanted to admit that sad reality.

He isn’t my family.

He doesn’t love me.

Maybe he never did.

I think I hear a shoulder being clapped before a set of footsteps fade away. Someone sits down close by. Tapping loudly on a phone screen, their breathing is even. Calm. I know it’s him. He isn’t leaving.

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