Page 102 of Ravage

"We knew this was a possibility," Grey says lowly, looking at me. "What do you want to do?"

I stand from my chair. "Jillian, keep watching the feed. Make sure it's being recorded. Leighton and Andy, go gather the others. Grey, with me."

Avery jumps to her feet. "I'm coming with you," she declares firmly. "Theo, too."

I turn to argue, but her eyes flash with stubbornness, Theo already on his feet. Begrudgingly, I nod.

"Fine, let's go."

The four of us quickly make our way out of the library, heading toward the staff rooms. Immediately, we spot Christopher, still squished between two guards while my father towers over him, berating the younger man.

Arthur spots us first, whispering to a guard as we approach. Immediately, I throw my arm out, making Avery stumble for a second as I usher her behind me. Grey and Theo cage her in, stopping next to me.

"It appears we've hit a crossroad," my father states, spotting us. "Dr. Smith has just been fired from Lilydale for insubordination."

Chapter 34

Damon

Christopher glances over at me, face stern and defiant. I hear Avery suck in a breath, anger rushing through me. With Christopher gone, she knows she'll be forced back with Elsher.

"It would be a shame if someone was to sue for unlawful termination," I say slowly, locking eyes with Christopher. "And to report inhumane conditions."

My father scoffs. "Christopher wouldn't do that. He'd be risking his place in my family. I'd hate to see himdisowned."

Typical of my father to hold money over someone's head as a form of blackmail, but judging by Christopher's expression, he's not bothered by the threats.

"No one wants to willingly be inyourfamily," I shoot back. "Luckily, family is not just about being blood related. And you're not the head of the Dale empire. You're just a seat warmer."

I hold his gaze when he narrows his eyes on me. Slowly, they slide to my left, landing on Avery.

"And this isher, correct? I vaguely remember her insignificance."

Arthur nods. "Yes, that's her."

The monster in me screams to be unleashed, my expression darkening as I step forward. "You touch one hair on her head, and I'll put you six feet under right now."

"She's just another obstacle," my father points out casually. "Accidents happen.And it will all revert back to me once again."

"You'll have to go through me first," Grey snaps.

My father raises an eyebrow lazily, taking notice of Grey and Theo. "Wasn't that one meant to be in solitary confinement?" he asks Arthur provocatively, nodding toward Theo.

This time, it's Avery that snaps back, my blood running cold as she addresses my father.

"Don't pretend you don't remember me. And don't you dare fucking touch any of them."

There's a sense of pride in me at her protective outburst, followed by an even stronger desire to gut them both for even looking at her.

Christopher looks at her fondly too, seemingly impressed. It's not often we witness anyone standing up to him.

"Shame they didn't manage to correct that attitude," Arthur sneers. "Perhaps they will get another chance now that operations are recommencing."

Instantly, the hallway erupts into chaos at his words. Grey lunges forward, barreling into Arthur. The two fall to the ground, Grey's fist slamming into Arthur's face with a crunch.

One of the guards hastily lets Christopher go to intervene but Theo tackles him quickly, his head making a cracking sound as it connects with the wall painfully.

Avery shoots forward in alarm when more guards come sprinting down the hallway toward Grey and Theo, but I grab her, wrapping my arms around her protectively.

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