Page 17 of Exile
That's the difference between them and us though. While they buy their power, we don't need to. That's true authority and strength.
They are sorely mistaken if they think taunting Damon will do anything other than motivate him. They are so far lost to their schemes that to them, this marriage is nothing more than a weapon. While that might be the case on a surfacelevel, and we bent a few teeny-tiny laws to get there, the relationship between Damon and Avery holds more meaning than anything Alexander has ever experienced in his entire life—or what he's capable of feeling.
As I lead us through the corridor, Avery keeps a tight grip on my hand. Patients are just starting to emerge from their rooms eagerly, in time for lunch. And of course, to save face, we're allowedfree time. Nothing is free if there's a price attached to it. Arthur considers it a reward, I call it bribery.
Judging by the expressions on passing faces, they are in agreement with me. It's not some prisoners' special, designed to make us feel warm and fuzzy.
Word is spreading quickly about the massacre that went down. Trauma holds a lot of space, and even without knowing the full story, people are shaken up. Stories are spreading like wildfire—some of them nothing more than fabricated fiction. I don't mind though, especially the ones where I allegedly slaughtered guards. I need to keep my reputation intact. Maybe I'll start my own rumor and tell everyone that I shoved a taser up Arthur's ass and he shot his load all over Alexander's face.
But seriously—fuck that cunt who stunned me. Once I get my hand on a taser, I'm returning the favor.
An influx of guards signal that things areback to normal. Many of them I don't recognize, just as they don't appear to recognize me. That can only mean one thing—new recruits. Arthur works fast. These poor fuckers must have a deathwish, but I suspect Arthur distracted them from reality by shoving money in their greedy faces. It's all he can probably do to stop them from realizing their untimely demise is within reach.
We wordlessly walk into the Westwood Wing, and I can't stop the grin as Avery's eyes light up. She knows exactly where we are heading, her shorter legs suddenly gaining speed and traction as if Theo's tether is pulling her forward.
I openly play with the staff card in my hand, flicking it between fingers as I stroll past some new guards who gawk at me with sheer confusion. I can tell they are struggling to figure out what my deal is, easily noticing my carefree attitude to their presence.
Watch and learn quickly if you know what's best for you.
The group of guards are making their way room to room to escort patients out, and when we reach Theo's door, I'm pleased to find we've beaten them—they can thank me later for making their workloads lighter.
Swiping the card, Avery bounces in excitement next to me, waiting for me to punch in the code. The moment the door cracks open an inch, she's on the move, pulling it open and launching into the room.
I manage to catch sight of Theo, lounging on his bed, for only a brief second, before Avery crash tackles him into the mattress. Like with me, she's hellbent on choking the poor bastard with her limbs, but Theo doesn't appear to mind in the slightest.
"Theo," I greet warmly, leaning against the wall as I give them a moment to enjoy their reunion.
Dark eyes peer over Avery's shoulder at me. "Good to see you in one piece, Grey."
"Shame no one else is in pieces though," I murmur playfully, frowning at my chipped nail polish. Those fuckers ruined my hard work.
Theo hums in agreement, the sound immediately muffled as Avery kisses him, nails leaving fresh marks along his jawline as she holds him firmly. It's interesting to watch—we all know he's not going anywhere, but on some subconscious level, it's as if Avery is determined to keep a tight grip on us in case we suddenly vanish or float into the ceiling. Oddly enough, I share the same sentiments and would happily hand stitch her body to mine if I could.
As I wait, I sense someone approaching. A guard appears in the doorway, one of them finally game enough to investigate our appearance. He gives me a stern look of annoyance and disapproval, and when his attention switches to Avery and Theo on the bed, I start to see red.
"Keep fucking moving if you plan on waking up tomorrow."
I may as well have bitch slapped him across the face, his stunned reaction reminding me of a gaping goldfish out of water. He hesitates for a moment, probably trying to decide if I'm all bark and no bite, before a familiar face creeps up behind him.
"Connor! Fancy seeing you back here." I grin.
My reaction is genuine. After all, Arthur fired him as soon as Connor disobeyed him in favor of us. Whoever handled the dirty work for Arthur and did the new hires clearly missed the memo, desperate for all the help they could get. This will work great for us, and I make a mental note to reward Connor later.
"Grey," he answers with a sharp nod.
"It would be wise to instruct your new friends on the appropriate expectations," I tell him, locking eyes with the goldfish wannabe. Avery and Theo are watching our exchange, my dearest boyfriend-in-law looking ready to unalive both of them if they don't leave in the next five seconds.
Connor nods again, muttering something to the other guard before they both disappear from sight.
Turning back to the two of them, I decide to lighten the tension. "In the arms of another man already? And so soon after the wedding. You bad girl."
Avery picks up Theo's pillow, flinging it at me. "You assholes could have at least told me the plan."
"We could have," I agree. "But I also just really wanted to see your face when we told you the surprise."
She raises an eyebrow. "A surprise is a gift, Grey. Like a box of chocolates. Not a whole ass damn marriage."
Theo snorts quietly behind her. "Grey does like to do things to the extreme."
