Page 69 of Ravage

"Theo got dragged into Arthur's office last night," Damon interjects, getting straight to the point. "They know he went downstairs. He's currently in solitary confinement."

A sharp pain shoots across my chest while I stare at the two of them closely, hoping for the'you should see the look on yourface'punchline. It doesn't come and I sag in my chair, letting out a shaky breath. "Fuck."

"It's just for a week," Grey says soothingly. "We heard the whole conversation. And as far as we are aware, Theo still has his cell on him. They didn't check him for contraband."

"What the fuck happened?" I whisper in a panic. "What do we do?"

Damon shakes his head. "We can't do anything. They are expecting us to react."

"We can't just leave him there," I argue, on the verge of tears.

Grey squeezes my hand. "Little killer, he will be fine. It's you we need to focus on. Arthur made a comment about him not being able to protect you if he's locked up."

A cold rush of trepidation fills me, and in my head, all I can see is the bucket shaking violently.

"They are going to try something…" I echo their thoughts. "They are trying to separate us to make it easier."

"I think he's just bluffing," Damon says firmly. "But I'm coming with you to your session with Christopher. We need to get cameras set up as soon as possible. In the meantime, Grey and I will work out theassschedule again."

I frown, alarmed. "Theo was meant to be watching me last night."

"I stood guard," Grey answers. "Damon already has Byrone and Jillian working on overriding the system again—hopefully more permanently. And Leighton is keeping tabs on Arthur's movements."

The only comforting thought is that Theo likes solitary confinement. It's not a punishment for him. But still, being separated at a time like this is dangerous. I'm not worried for my own safety, but theirs.

"How can we be sure they are bluffing?" I ask Damon. "I don't think they are that predictable."

"Theo destroyed the equipment downstairs," he answers. "They have no way of continuing their research without it. Even if they have no moral compass, the contract is pretty strict. It lists all the exhaustive methods of research they are allowed to conduct—there's very little left that they could do at the moment."

My mind switches back to the ice bath and drugs. There are definitely options that don't require equipment, but I see his point. Doctors and researchers like to be thorough. If they can't draw an inference or check multiple variables, it defeats the purpose of method testing.

"I don't like this," I mutter, frustrated. "They will want revenge for us ruining their project."

"Too fucking bad for them," Damon shoots back. "I have no sympathy for them."

"Me either," Grey murmurs, moving his hand to rub my side. "How does it feel today?"

I give him a tight smile. "It's fine—a little itchy."

Damon pushes his tray of food away—pancakes again—and folds his arms. "I'll pay a visit to Arthur. Maybe I can get some information out of him."

"Be careful, please," I plead. "We don't know what they might do."

He looks over at me, a lop-sided smile on his face. "I think they are more scared of us—as they should be."

"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Dr. Smith mutters with a deadpan expression.

The two of us are sitting across from him, the cousins having a heated stare-off.

"We need your help," I chime in before Damon can speak. "Whittingham took Theo. Are you able to help us with more tech gear?"

Dr. Smith looks surprised, his face softening slightly as he turns to me. "Such as?"

"Portable cameras," Damon answers sharply. "We need more eyes on Arthur and the other staff."

You can see the switch again instantly as his face darkens with frustration. "I'm not your errand runner, Damon. The cells were one thing, but this is entirely different. It's an invasion of privacy."

"Really? We're going to arguethatpoint?" Damon scoffs.

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