Page 65 of Deadly Rival

I stare at the screen, black words on white that blur together, and a Zoom link.

Click the link in twenty minutes if you want to know the truth about your slut of a sister. Harrison Calder.

Twenty-Seven

Ophelia

“I have to go.”

I jump at Sebastian’s voice. I’d been so caught up in what the doctor was saying that I’d almost forgotten he was here. I turn to face him and draw in a sharp breath. He looks sick, skin pale and eyes wide.

I almost ask if he’s okay but hold myself back. I need to remember why I’m here. As fascinating as I’m finding my tour of the medical center, some time alone with this doctor is exactly what I need. Dr. Wade is young, and there’s a feel to him that’s setting my alarm bells ringing. He’s got an edge beneath the friendliness, and something tells me he’s my guy.

Sebastian addresses Wade. “Jacob West is on his way to keep an eye on Ophelia until you’re finished here. Don’t keep her too long.”

With that, he turns on his heel. I stare at his back, unease bubbling in my gut. No smart remarks, no making me promise to be good. No goodbye kiss on the cheek. It stings, ridiculous as it is, and it’s not like him. Something has happened, and itcan’t be good.

But bad for Sebastian could be good for me. Maybe my dad has sent an ultimatum the Brotherhood can’t refuse. Maybe I’ll be out of this place sooner rather than later. Back with my family.

It should bring a flood of relief, but instead, the conversation with Gabriel echoes around my brain. He said my family tried to kidnap Eve. To sell her. It can’t be true. Can it? Just imagining it makes me shudder. Eve’s a captive here, but she’s happy and loved. If my family really planned to sell her…

No. They must be mistaken, or maybe Gabriel just wanted to scare me into behaving. I’ll ask Quinn later—I trust her to give me a straight answer.

The door closes, and Wade whirls on me, his pleasant expression replaced with sharp urgency. “That was lucky. We don’t have long.”

A thrill banishes my lingering worries. I was right. He’s a connection to the outside world. A gateway to freedom. I don’t waste time with bullshit. “Are you my father’s man?”

“Yes. Listen, something is in the works. They brought your ceremony forward, which never happens. I haven’t managed to find out why yet, but I will. Can you get back here?”

“Yes, if you tell Sebastian you’re happy for me to train in medicine with you. I wanted to be a doctor when I was young. He’ll believe it.”

Wade snorts. “Right. A doctor. But if he’s dumb enough to believe that, let’s run with it.”

Of course he thinks it’s stupid. The Calder princess, a doctor. Ridiculous. Tightness wraps my chest as I turn the words over and over. Sebastian hadn’t thought it was stupid.

And so what. So fucking what. I’m his captive. Focus on what matters.

“What shifts are you on?”

“Don’t worry about that. The old man will be out of action for a week at least, and he’ll never eat shellfish again. I slipped him something and convinced him it must be the prawns he ate last night.”

Wade smirks like I’m going to praise him for his cleverness. It sends a nasty prickle over my skin. “Will he be okay?”

He shrugs. “Probably, once he stops shitting himself. See if you can get pretty boy to agree to a daily lesson or something.” He rolls his eyes. “That way I can keep you up to date on what’s going on.”

“Have you spoken to my dad? How is he?”

He lets out a long breath. “How do you think he is? Pissed as hell. His daughter used as a…”

He looks away. At least he has enough compassion to feel bad about saying it out loud. “Anyway. He’s mad, and he’s working on getting you out. Your brother, though? He wanted to storm the place. Had a big fight with your dad. They aren’t talking.”

I want to ask more questions, but the door opens. Jacob enters, followed, thank God, by Quinn. He’d be way too intimidating by himself. Wade gives them both a warm smile. “Take a seat. I won’t keep you too long.”

“It’s okay, mate. Don’t rush on my account.”

Don’t any of the geniuses in this place do any work?

Quinn winks at me, and the two of them sit. He wraps a thick arm around her, huge hand swallowing her skinny thigh, and she leans her head against him. It’s such a relaxed, natural pose I have to drag my gaze away. How? How is Quinn, who doesn't seem like she takes shit from anyone, so happy with her captor?

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