Page 59 of Twisted Ruck

"Yep," Ramsey said. That one simple word conveyed a great deal of irritation. Like he didn't appreciate the doctor telling him what to do, even if it was a professional opinion.

Meanwhile, I wondered what the hell they were talking about. Did this have anything to do with Dominic King? Was it possible Ramsey was working for him and not with us? If he was, a stiff knee would be the least of his problems.

I leaned closer as one of them stepped further away, holding my phone out so I wouldn't miss anything. I had my eyes on the screen, so if anyone walked past they'd just think I stopped to doom scroll. I wouldn't be the first person distracted by social media in the middle of a corridor.

"Is everything in place?" Skinner asked.

"Almost," Ramsey replied. "Couple of things to sort out."

Skinner clicked his tongue. "There's always something. Or someone."

Footsteps clicked on the floor, closer to the doorway.

I pressed on a random social media and engrossed myself in the latest Booktok trend. It was about time they noticed rugby players’ thighs.

The footsteps moved away, deeper into the room again.

"What's left?" Skinner asked.

"Nothing major," Ramsey said.

"Care to elaborate?" Skinner sounded increasingly irritated. Either with plans not going the way he wanted, or with Ramsey's short responses.

"Not in the loop enough?" Ramsey asked, his tone goading.

"I should be the loop," Skinner snapped.

Ramsey snorted derisively. "Don't get ahead of yourself. You're just part of the loop."

"For now," Skinner said. "After this, that will change. They'll sit up and take notice."

"Won't be able to," Ramsey said.

Skinner barked a short laugh. "That's true. They'll be dealt with and we'll be in a better position than we already were."

I pictured him rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain. Did he have a fluffy white cat and a lair?

Once, I would have thought that was just stuff that only happened in the movies. Now I wasn't so sure. I'd seen a lot of strange things recently. Things I wouldn't have ever expected to see. Things that were both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Much more terrifying than a cat and a cave.

Depending on the cat.

Speaking of positions, where was Chelsea? I assumed she wasn't in the infirmary, or they wouldn't be talking like this. The things they said, you didn't say in front of witnesses. If they knew they had any. Was it possible they knew I was out here? I didn't think so. If they did, they'd be more careful.

"If it works," Ramsey said. "Don't assume."

"I'd never assume," Skinner said. "I don't need to. We know what needs to be done and how to execute it. Everything will happen flawlessly."

I winced at his choice of words. Did they mean it literally? Who was the 'they,' Ramsey and Skinner were talking about? Was it us? Me and Chelsea's other boyfriends?

Was Ramsey plotting against us? This was a damning conversation if he was. It sounded to me like he was planning to double cross all of us. Whoever decided we were supposed to take orders from him must have badly misjudged his loyalty.

I stared at my phone screen without seeing anything. I didn't want to think Ramsey was working against us. If he was, I'dmisjudged him too. I thought he was a decent guy. One I would have shared Chelsea with.

If they were saying what theyseemedto be saying, then I wouldn't let him anywhere near her. How was I supposed to do that? I didn't know, but if he was planning against us, then I'd do whatever I had to do.

"It better," Ramsey said. "I've put everything in this. If this doesn't work, I'm screwed."

Skinner responded with a nasty sounding chuckle. "You won't be the only one screwed. Although, screwed will be the least of our problems. Dead is more likely."

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