Page 124 of Burn Like An Angel

I want the future I became the stooge for.

And I want it with them.

CHAPTER 19

RAINE

PULL THE PLUG - VOILÀ

Shakingthe pills from the plastic bottle, I count out each dose. I’m determined to do this alone, hands sliding over each sleek kitchen cabinet as I search for a glass.

I’ve barely familiarised myself with the two-bedroom apartment we were deposited in by Warner and his superiors. They instructed us to get cleaned up and rest while they handle the fallout of the mess we left behind.

After being driven down to London and checked by the doctor waiting, we were ready to pass out. First, we had to wait for medications to be delivered. Sabre must have serious money if they can summon controlled substances with a click of their fingers.

They left quickly, promising to return with updates and more essentials. Warner assured us that security would remain outside for our protection. They’re taking no chances after our close call.

Feeling something cool knock against my fingers, I feel for its texture. Curved edges. A glass. Triumphant, I pluck it from the cupboard. With the pills in one hand, I can attempt to locate the sink.

Clang.

My foot smashes into a hard piece of furniture, causing my still-painful ankle to flare. The sudden collision unsteadies me, and before I can stop it, the glass slips from my hand.

“No,” I yelp, trying to catch it.

The shattering blast of it smashing on the kitchen tiles will certainly draw attention. Sighing hard, I rest against the sink, my fist curling around the pills.

Bloody useless.

This is why I always kept my room precisely organised, down to the inch. I hate new environments. It always takes time to adjust. And right now, I don’t even have a guide stick.

“Raine! Where are you?”

“Kitchen, Xan.”

Hurried footsteps bang through the apartment. I don’t bother attempting to move. Xander announces his arrival with a loud exhale.

“Ah.”

“Yep.” I pop the P exaggeratedly. “Figured you’d slept enough.”

Cracking a yawn, he steps closer. “You should’ve just woken one of us up.”

“It was just a dumb mistake. I hit my ankle.”

“Alright, stand still.”

I remain frozen while Xander cleans up the broken shards then fills another glass with water to hand over. Knocking back the pills, I swallow the powdery mouthful then hand the glass back to him.

“How long did we sleep for?”

I hear the glass make an impact when Xander deposits it in the sink. “Fifteen hours. Must’ve needed it.”

“Christ. Those guys will be back soon to start taking statements.”

“Yeah.” He sounds groggy and half-awake. “I’ll get Lennox up. Can you find your way back to Ripley’s room?”

“Erm…”

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