Page 37 of Echoes

"And why would that bother me?"

"Because you think I'll break your fragile, little toy."

We enter into a stare-off, until Grey finally relents, shrugging. "She's not mine, Damon."

"But do you want her to be?"

I see his jaw harden. "Are you asking me that as my leader… or as my best friend?"

"Does the answer change depending on the question?" I ask.

Grey doesn't respond straight away, but I already know it does. And therein lies the problem.

"As your leader," I start. "You know how I feel. She is an imposition and a fucking liability." He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand, silencing him. "But as your best friend, your brother… it pains me to see you like this."

"But your answer is still the same," he says knowingly. "You don't like her. You've made that clear."

"I don't like anyone. I hate everyone equally," I shrug. "However, all I can do is advise you to really think about what you are doing. If you make dumb decisions, that's on you."

Grey snorts. "But only from the best friend perspective."

"This is where it is a little… murky. Because while Icouldoverlook things, it still raises the issue of her compliance. She's unstable, Grey. And with our situation, our worlds are one. If she fucks up your personal life, it directly affects my business. Therefore, I will be forced to take action."

"It doesn't matter anyway," he sighs. "I'm not getting involved."

I scoff in disgust. "Because of Ashwood? Do you honestly think you can't take him?"

He looks at me with a small smirk, fire returning to his eyes. "You know I fucking could."

"But you don't want to because it willhurther," I taunt. "Well, I'm not sure what else to tell you, Grey. You have a decision to make."

"Are you ready to tell me about the deal?" he asks.

A laugh escapes my throat. "Deflecting? Soon," I confirm. "At the moment, I have a matter to deal with tomorrow. And you and I have pressing issues to discuss."

Grey pounces on my bed, spreading out. "Such as?"

"I've been told the Lilydale board has made a decision. The guards anticipate the new arrival within the next day or two."

"Fun," he drawls out, bored. "Want me to welcome them?"

"I think I might do it personally this time. I need to determine how to place him."

It's time to rearrange the grouping system, but I won't be able to finish it until I meet the new patient. It's obvious that the staff do everything for a reason—so, whomever has been chosen to take Hallman's place will have some significance about them. I just need to figure out what makes them special.

"And Capello?" Grey asks.

"She will need to be dealt with in due course. Once she's stabilized we can continue our investigation."

He nods. "Do you think she'll tell us how she got the staff card?"

"Possibly. But I'm more interested in knowing whether or not she had anything to do with the second staff card being placed on Avery."

Grey pauses. "Do you think she did? Capello was quite upset at the time. Unless she's one hell of an actress, I'd say she was too busy with the news of Hallman's death. There was only a short window where someone could have gotten to Avery in the chaos."

"Surprisingly, no. I don't think Capello had anything to do with it. But perhaps she knows something about it."

"Does she know that Hallman was murdered? Or does she still think he—?" He drags his thumb across his neck.

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