Page 77 of Ashes

“If you do call someone, you’ll have to become a patient here. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

She visibly swallowed. “Right.”

“Good girl.” I grinned at her. She blushed and ducked her head.

Fucking beautiful sluts. I loved them all. So easy to manipulate and maneuver when I was thinking clearly and not losing my mind in rage.

We moved past the station and took the elevator up to Stitches’s floor and got out. I didn’t really have a plan. I just knew I wanted to see my brother.

The hallway was empty the entire way, which made it easier for us.

“Those doors are locked,” Sin said as we marched down the hall. “We need a key if we want to get inside.”

“We’ll get inside,” I murmured as we approached his room and slowed to a stop. I peered through the tiny pane of glass and saw his bed empty and rumpled.

My heart lurched.

“What? What’s wrong?” Ashes demanded.

“He’s not here.” I stepped away from the door, frustration rolling through me.

“What?” Ashes peeked through the window. “Where the fuck is he?”

“Visiting hours aren’t for another two hours,” Sully’s voice called out.

I snapped my head up and narrowed my eyes at the prick.

“We make our own hours. You know that,” I said, glaring at him as he approached with a smug smile on his stupid fucking face.

“Of course.” He stopped near us and widened his shitty smile into one he must have thought looked sincere, but it looked like bullshit to me. “Malachi took a turn for the worse last night, I’m afraid. Your father is back.”

“What?” My blood ran cold. “What happened? Why wasn’t I notified?”

“Your father needed to be notified first. We follow protocol, regardless of who the students are. While I know your family is important to Chapel Crest—”

I shoved him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back to the wall. I didn’t hesitate to get in his face.

My father was a fucking monster. If he was here, shit was going down. He’d warned me that he’d step in if he had to return.

“Wherethe fuckis my brother?”

Sully visibly swallowed and smoothed down his tie. “Right. Come with me.”

I let him move past me and looked back at Sin and Ashes, who were both pale. They followed wordlessly as we were led down the hall and around the corner.

We didn’t stop until we were at a new room. I stepped inside. Stitches was in bed with an IV in his arm and his face bandaged. Bright red blood peeked through the white gauze on the side of his head. His eyes were closed. His lips were dry and cracked. Ugly purple bruises haloed his eyes, and the ligature marks on his neck were still apparent from where he’d tried to hang himself.

I ground my teeth tightly as Ashes sucked in a soft breath.

Sin stared at Stitches, his hands trembling.

I turned on Sully.

“What the fuck happened to him?”

“Malachi is very sick—”

“Malachiis very fucking injured. Explain why and how,” I snarled, ready to beat the truth from his body.

---