Page 77 of Exile
But it's too late for the man, his screams still echoing behind us as we rush toward the stairwell, just as Damon reappears at the doorway.
"What the fuck happened?" he snaps, lifting his mask, eyes darting between the pair of us.
"Your father happened," Avery replies fiercely. "Now let's see them rebuild after we've burned their fucking lab down."
Chapter 29
Avery
Thankfully Theo was correct. The sprinklers being activated stopped any real damage to the ground floor levels, though from what we estimate, the lab is pretty much destroyed.
Oh, no. What a shame.
Besides the equipment which I ensured was out of action for a second time, several patient rooms and the main hallway have suffered too much damage and will need proper repairs. From what Damon explained, the contract only pertains to the medical equipment, so even if Lilydale was able to replace it, they would also be solely responsible for the facility repairs.
It could be worse, but since the underground levels are basically just a pit of concrete, the structure held up well so we're safe up here.
The biggest risk we have is Alexander trying to force my hand. I've already been forced to sign his bullshit document giving him access to Damon's trust fund for the purpose of fueling Lilydale's costs, but hopefully, we've done enough damage that it will cause legal issues. Likewise, now thatwe've destroyed the equipment again, it may have jeopardized the contract.
If Alexander and Arthur want to continue their torture clinic, they will have to outlay a lot of money to get it fixed. And that shit takes time. But if there's anything rich people hate more than poor people, it's having to spend too much money.
I suppose if I'm being honest though, the lab is probably the least of my problems. Rian made it clear that he was ordered to kill me. There's no doubt in my mind that the order came from Alexander—he wants me out of the way to steal my shares and fuck Damon over. We're all on edge now. While the guys had their suspicions about Rian from the start, we have no idea if he was just a disguise. For all we know there could be more of Alexander's spies hiding in Lilydale, waiting to do his bidding.
"I can practically see your mind running a hundred miles an hour," Grey murmurs from behind me.
We're curled up on his bed, resting while everyone else enjoys free time. Damon and Theo are together somewhere, working on finding out information.
"I'm getting a little sick of being a constant target," I grumble quietly. "But even more so that Theo was nearly hurt because of it."
Arms tighten around my torso, pulling me further against him. "He can handle himself," Grey answers, burying his face into the side of my neck. "We're more worried about you."
I laugh softly. "I can handle myself too."
Grey hums in agreement. "Yes, you can my little pyromaniac."
"Not just a maniac?"
"You?" he laughs. "No. You're too sweet to be a fully fledged psycho."
"I beg to differ. I set someone on fire. Well, twice. It's becoming a bad habit."
"I'm inclined to disagree," he murmurs. "Because I think it makes you a good girl."
I roll my eyes even though he can't see it. "Of courseyou'dthink that."
Grey leans forward, reaching his hand down my body to skim my skirt up with his fingers. I glance down at the words marked into my skin on my inner thigh.
"Mine," Grey whispers, reading it aloud.
"Yours."
Brushing my hair gently from my shoulders, he places a kiss along the junction of my neck. "You're marked by all of us now. My scar on your thigh, Theo's ink on your body, and Deadman's heartbeat on your ribcage."
"You've taken over inside too," I tell him. "You own every part of me."
"Good," he replies against my skin, trailing his lips along the top of my shoulder. "But it's still not enough." His fingers play with the hem of my skirt, slowly inching toward myinner thigh. Slowly, he pulls my underwear aside, dipping his finger in.
Arching against him, I turn my head to find his face. "Oh? What else did you have in mind?" I ask breathlessly as his finger slides inside, curling to stroke my pussy.
