Page 6 of Echoes

Finally, when his hands start clawing at mine, face a nice shade of purple, I release him. He slumps back against the wall, gasping for breath.

"I'm aware of your…relationship." It's directed at me, a murderous glint in his eye.

Oh, please try me. Please, please… push me over the edge. I'm begging you.

Damon sighs, disinterested. "We all know that you do not give a fuck about anyone's relationships here. Except, of course,yours and Dorothea's. Which I'm happy to meddle in if you can't control yourself and do as you're told."

Arthur snaps his head toward Damon. "Do not threaten us, boy. You will not touch her."

I watch as Damon gets to his feet quickly, strolling over to Arthur. He recoils as Damon peers down at him, hands in pockets.

"I'll fuck her and make her scream louder than your pathetic excuse of a dick ever could," he murmurs darkly. "Then I'll get Grey to rip her heart out so you can keep it on your half-a-million dollar desk for commemoration. But don't worry—I'm sure the board would appropriately replace her so you have a new fuck toy to wield power over. Especially since we know you don't have any here."

Arthur straightens up to full height, still having to gaze up at Damon. "Try to keep your minions in check. While you might have struck a deal this time, it won't last forever. You're on borrowed time, boy."

"Keep telling yourself that," Damon whispers darkly. "And you might believe it."

He turns slowly, giving me a nod. "Let's go. We have another visit to make."

I blow Arthur a kiss before trailing out of the office behind Damon. Kicking the door closed, I narrow my eyes at Damon suspiciously, dropping my playful façade.

"What is this deal you mentioned?"

Damon stops, pivoting his body to glance at me.

"I made a deal with the chairman so we had some leverage. And it's right on time, I see."

The entrance doors open, figures emerging from the darkness outside. My heart stops as I catch sight of Avery being led inside by two police officers, her hands cuffed in front of her abdomen.

Avery's gray eyes widen open in surprise as she halts her steps, spotting me instantly.

"Welcome back, Avery," Damon says loudly, his voice echoing around the chamber. "I'll be seeing you soon."

A flicker of fear appears in her eyes as she glances at Damon, but they quickly return to me. She's scanning me for a reaction—anything.

My walls shoot back up, my face cold as I turn away from her like she's a random person on the street not worthy of a second glance. Following Damon's pace to the guarded door, I hear her small, anxious breaths, her silence begging me to say something.

As we step through the door to the rooms, I give Connor a nod, relief flooding through me as he closes the door behind us, blocking her out.

Out of sight, out of mind they say. But that's just bullshit. Now that I know she's in the same building as me again, the tether between us pulls.

And I'm going to take that tether and wrap it around her soft body—whether that's to fuck her or kill her, I don't know yet.

Chapter 3

Avery

The sound of gravel crunches under my feet as I stare up at the Lilydale building. My wrists are numb, bloodied and bruised, but I feel displaced, knowing I'm returning to my own personal hell. It feels like déjà vu, my eyes hovering over the pristine white walls.

It's late, the sun long gone to sleep as shadows taunt me, imaginary laughter reminding me why I'm here.

The police officers keep a tight squeeze on me, their fingers digging into my elbows and arms as they practically drag me up the front steps. I'm relishing the thought of being in my room, alone, so I can catch my breath and process the past few hours.

I'm still confused about everything, but at least I'll be safe until morning.

One of the officers pushes the door open, and I'm surprised it's unlocked. I suppose that they are waiting for me, aware of my impending arrival.

Immediately, the familiar smell of roses hits me. But another sense cuts right through it like a knife, my eyes darting up on their own accord.

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