Page 178 of Sin Like the Devil

“I… I thought I was just a nuisance to you,” he admits quietly.

“You are.” My stomach flips. “A nuisance I care about.”

Raine’s mouth hangs open. He doesn’t have a response. I don’t blame him. I’ve spent my entire adult life not giving a flying fuck about anyone or anything including myself. This is new for me too.

“That’s why you’re going to lay back down in the goddamn bed, and let me handle this.”

“I can help,” he baulks haltingly.

“They both made this mess. But I’m going to fucking fix it.”

“Xan—”

“Stay here, Raine!”

Cringing back into his pillows, he summons a reluctant nod. I pluck his plugged-in mobile phone from the bedside table then shove it into his hands.

“I’m going hunting. If any trouble starts, call. Got that?”

“What kind of trouble?” Raine’s forehead wrinkles.

“I honestly don’t know. But something’s coming.”

I quickly check around the medical wing, ensuring it’s secured. Nina is on-duty again in the small office, preoccupied by her crossword book. She pays me no attention as I stride past.

I spend the next few hours systematically picking the institute apart with my all-access pass. Checking every last locked door, storage cupboard and floor. There seems to be no security around for me to beat any clues from.

After breaking in, I’m picking through the filing cabinets in the warden’s office, searching for records of any admissions to the solitary wing, when I hear approaching voices. Slamming the cabinet shut, I duck behind a thick curtain.

“It began as a handful of reporters, sir.” Elon’s annoying voice is unmistakable. “They’re gathering outside each of the remaining institutes across the country.”

“The corporation has released a statement,” Davis responds.

“It appears the crowds are growing by the hour. The negative response to that leaked video is escalating fast. Security reports a large protest gathering at our front gates.”

“Goddammit! Handle this, Elon.”

“It’s a rather large mob,” he says uncertainly.

“I don’t care. Send every man and woman we have out there. Go too. I will not be intimidated in my own institute.”

“I believe Sir Bancroft intends to address the crowd himself. The leaked video is likely the work of Sabre Security. A distraction technique, perhaps.”

“Then Bancroft can clean his own fucking mess,” Davis spits.

Trouble in paradise?

The warden sounds less than enthused by his superior’s actions. I haven’t had the misfortune to run into Bancroft again since he agreed to our release from Priory Lane’s Z wing. But I’ve heard whispers of his presence in Harrowdean.

“What about the patients?” Elon asks. “News has already spread. They’re restless.”

There’s a thunking sound like Davis has slammed his forehead against his desk.

“Hold a skeleton staff back to keep the peace. We’ll declare an emergency lockdown for good measure. Send everyone else out to hold the crowd back.”

“Yes sir,” Elon acknowledges.

When I hear retreating footsteps and the office door close, I peek around the curtain. Davis is sitting at his desk, staring into space. I slide the pocketknife from my back pocket, creeping up behind him.

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