Page 64 of Exile
By the time we return, it's well after lunch but the thought of food makes me physically sick.
The hallways are vacant, the patients in their classes. I fully expect the guards to take me to my cell or to solitary confinement, to keep me away from the guys. But when they shove me through Charmaine's door without a care in the world, I realize that was Alexander's plan.
He wants me to tell them.
He's going to gloat through me.
I spot Grey immediately, his whole body straightening at my arrival as his eyes scan me over for inspection before shooting a murderous look at the guards.
"Avery, welcome," Charmaine says warmly. "Take a seat. We're just doing some reading. The material is on your desk."
All I can muster is a quick nod to acknowledge I heard her, my feet dragging as I head to my desk.
My ass has barely touched the seat when Grey leans over, unbothered that Charmaine will probably notice and catch him.
"What the hell happened, little killer? Where were you?"
Exhaustion seeps through my bones. I had every intention of coming back strong and determined, channeling that rage that has reared its head lately. But there's nothing but fatigue and sadness—and it's written all over my face.
There's no point sugar coating anything. Nor any reason to lie. I'm in a huge mess and it affects everyone, so I just come straight out with it. "Alexander happened, Grey."
He scans me over again, taking in the business attire I'm wearing. No doubt another bold move from Alexander in an effort to make a statement. I stand out like a sore thumb on the best of days, let alone in clothes that aren't the usual Lilydale gray uniform.
"Fuck this," he murmurs angrily, standing up and grabbing my hand. I'm pulled from my seat and dragged behind him. Charmaine looks baffled by our movement as we head toward the door, but to my surprise, she doesn't try to stop us.
As soon as we're out in the corridor, Grey stops and rounds on me, cupping my face in his hands. "Are you okay?"
I shake my head. "Not even in the slightest."
He lets out a low exhale, resting his forehead against mine for a few seconds, allowing us both time to pull our shit together.
"Come on. We need to find Deadman."
Chapter 24
Damon
I should have known he'd pull something like this. And I'm punishing myself for not being two steps ahead because he could have easily hurt Avery. There's no doubt in my mind that he wanted to, but by proving he could take her from me at any time, he's sending a message.
War has begun.
I'm exceptional at finding loopholes, but he didn't get to where he is by playing clean and by the rules.
When Grey pulled me out of that bullshit class, it only took one glance in Avery's direction to realize what had gone down. Theo was with them, but the expression on his face indicated he was just as uninformed as I was at first. None of us are ignorant fools though. We can piece together events by observing and reading between the lines.
There's only one person who would send Avery back into the devil's lair in formal business attire. Only one person who would willingly keep her alive for now when he needs and wants her dead.
The fact that I allowed myself to believe she was somewhat protected is beyond forgiving. Even with all ourmeasures in place—cell phones, guards in our pockets, access to the facility cameras, our own streams—he still bypassed them easily.
We clocked that she was missing by breakfast, and immediately sprung into action. Our first initial fear was that they had taken her downstairs again—but that theory was quickly dispelled with the assistance of Connor and applying logic.
To no one's surprise, the majority of Arthur's guards are pathetic gossip seekers. A few inquiries from Connor and we were able to confirm that she wasn't even in the building at all. But other than that revelation, no one knew where she was. That part they had intentionally kept under wraps. Nothing is accidental when it comes to my father. Every decision, every choice is part of his master plan. He hadwantedus to figure out that she was gone. He knows we'd catch on quickly, leaving just enough breadcrumbs in a trail until it goes dead.
I had already spoken to Christopher and set up a plan for him to search for her, but she was back before we could implement it. Typical Alexander Dale strategy—he had this organized down to the millisecond. While he may or may not have deduced that we would enlist Christopher's assistance, he focuses on timing and procedure.
It was no surprise that they dragged her out of bed before everyone else, to allow time for them to enact their plan before we even knew she was gone. And he'd know exactlyhow long it would take us to follow the clues and ensure that she was back at that specific moment.
The four of us are squared away in my room for this conversation. I no longer trust that the library is secure, even if Byrone and Jillian are able to send the cameras offline during our meetings. We need a plan, and we must start moving. Things are already in motion, and now that he's pulled off this stunt, it's going to send him on a power trip which is dangerous. He'll be adamant he's untouchable, and while I disagree, it means he will stop at nothing to bring us down.
