Page 85 of Ravage

Don't lose control, Avery.

"Someone like me?" I repeat, gob smacked. "Where the fuck do you get your audacity?"

"Do try to better yourself, Ms. White," he replies, ignoring me. "It's quite childish."

I shake my head, knuckles turning white. When I don't say anything further, he folds his arms, a sly smirk making its way onto his slimy face.

"You've been assigned duty for the next week. You and Ms. Kennedy will be assisting Dr. Elsher with administrative tasks."

All I can see is red, unable to piece together who my companion will be. Instead, I only focus on the fact that I'm being placed with Elsher. Even a second with him is a second too long.

He's the other monster in my nightmares. It wasn't just Whittingham that instigated my kidnapping, but the psychiatrist too.

It's clear this is retaliation for being switched back to Dr. Smith's patient list, and no doubt my last encounter with Elsher where I fought back against his snarky remarks.

They are separating us.

First, they took Theo, sending him to solitary confinement for a week. Then, Alexander dug his claws into Damon. Now, they are coming after me, forcing me to be on duty, away from the guys every day, with one of the people who helped to kidnap me.

Damon and Grey were right—they are going to make a move soon.

Is this that time? Am I going to be taken right now? Tomorrow?

I can't do it again. I can't go through that a second time.

I can't.

I can't.

I can't fucking do it. I won't!

My hand moves on its own, swinging out at the items on his desk before I can realize what is happening. The stationery canister and candle go flying, and for a handful of seconds, both of us stare in shock and disbelief as a piece of paper catches alight.

Whittingham is the first to react, grabbing a jacket from the coat rack in the corner and slapping it over the small flame to fan it out. It quickly extinguishes, but the sight of fire brings new memories to the surface. I stand frozen, no longer seeing him behind the desk, but my empty bedroom as flames lick the doorway, blocking an escape that I don't want.

Somewhere below the roar of the fire, I can hear my father's voice, screaming.

Hands grab me roughly from behind, snapping me out of my trance. I jolt, swinging my head to find the guard holding onto me. I'm back in the present, eyes turning back to Whittingham as he glares angrily at me, face red.

"Consider yourself lucky, Ms. White! Fortunately for you, solitary confinement is currently occupied. Otherwise, I'd be sending you down there right this second."

Chapter 30

Avery

Oh, shit.

Shit, oh shit. Fuck.

I pace my room when I get back, adrenaline spiking.

I lost control in Whittingham's office—exactly what I said I wouldn't do. My body reacted on its own, spiraling because of his words and threats.

It feels like everything is starting to fall apart again—too soon. I had just started to feel almost normal after what happened downstairs, feeling happy because the connection I have with Theo, Grey, and Damon supersedes everything else. They make me feel safe… seen. But like every other villain in my life, Whittingham took that away from me.

Everyone takes and takes—always using me.

Except them.

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