Echoes (Dance with My Demons #2)

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Avery

Grey stares at me, and for the first time, I don't look back. I'm stuck staring at Damon in disbelief.

"That's right," he answers casually. "She was the one who broke into the office and took your information. I believe it was Arthur's printer she used. Is that right?" he pauses, looking at Jillian.

Jillian nods. "Yes. With his staff access card."

I gawk at Damon. "When was this information going to be relayed to me? I thought we had a deal. I told you I had a right to have a say in how this was dealt with."

Tension rises in the room, a few people sucking in oxygen sharply as Damon stands from his seat.

"We did not have a deal, Avery. I told you I would consider having your input, however you broke that trust in the society. Everyone here is aware of your actions."

No one says anything, an uneasy silence filling the room. My eyes flicker to Grey, who has turned away from me once again. Anger washes over me, but I control it, keeping my voice low.

"Regardless of how you perceive me and my actions ," I murmur. "This situation still involves me. I did nothing wrong. And if you would like my assistance, then the very least you can do is stick to your word. I figured that a man of your standing would at least honor that."

It's so quiet you can hear the pipes in the wall creak and groan. I'm doing my best to stay composed, strong. I deserve at least some information—and if they want to use me, then it can be on my terms.

Damon tilts his head up, eyes narrowing on me as he processes my words. "I would watch your tone with me. My mercy can only be stretched so far. You were advised that I would take your suggestions under consideration. Given you were detained by the police, we only had a short window to look into this and deal with it. We are giving you the courtesy of notifying you now of our findings. Be grateful that you are here at all."

"Here at all? I was arrested because of you ."

He laughs, moving away from his chair as he heads toward me. I don't run though, straightening my posture. When he's behind my seat, I stiffen. Snickering again, he puts his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it harshly.

"Consider this a warning, Avery. Don't make allegations that you know nothing about. You know what they say about assuming things."

I resist the urge to tell him he's already an ass, staying quiet instead.

Pleased with my silence, he continues walking around the table, looking at the other members. "As you may have already guessed, the society dealt with the situation—at least with Capello and Hallman. Which brings us to our next point in the meeting."

He pauses when he reaches his seat again, but doesn't sit down. There's a smile lurking on the corner of his lips, and everyone waits for him to speak.

Damon looks at Grey, nodding.

Grey stands up, placing his hands in his pockets. "At present, we have reason to believe that those two have been aptly sorted. However, it is our understanding that Arthur is attempting to gain leverage from the patients. We believe that he has asked Avery to report back to him on inside information."

My eyes widen as everyone looks at me in surprise. I guess that answers my question about how much Damon knows.

Gray eyes meet mine, his face stone cold. "Avery, are you able to elaborate on that?"

I can only make a dumb ' uh ' sound as Grey waits for my answer, everyone's eyes on me. They have me cornered—they know it, I know it.

I could lie… but really, what would that achieve?

It's obvious that Damon and his society have more control over Lilydale than the staff do. If I'm smart, I'd pick sides. I'm more protected in this circle than I am banished on the outside.

It's a cold reminder that I was banished—only now welcomed back because of these stipulations from Arthur.

But maybe… just maybe… Mr. Whittingham handed me my 'get out of jail' card—excuse the pun.

Swallowing, I nod. "Yes, he had a conversation with me after I returned from the police station."

Damon nods, looking pleased. Grey, on the other hand, just appears downright mad.

"Well?" Damon asks impatiently.

It feels like my stomach is being clenched in tight knots. "He wants me to report back to him on things I hear around the facility."

A few people whisper among themselves, but judging by Damon's face, he already knows the extent of this. However, if I was a gambling woman, I'd wager that he doesn't know the rest of it.

"Also," I start, wondering if I'm about to sign my death sentence. "He had other stipulations too."

"Oh?" Damon answers, intrigued. "Such as?"

My eyes slowly flicker back to Grey. "I'm not allowed to socialize with any of you."

It's a broad mention, but I know Damon's smart. He knows I'm not referring to the society in general, but still, he nods slowly.

"Interesting. I wonder how he expects you to provide information then."

"It sounds like he's purposely setting me up for failure," I reply bluntly. "So that either way, he can get rid of me."

Damon sits down in his chair, tapping his chin. "I don't think you're the end goal. No—Arthur has something else up his sleeve. You're just collateral damage."

I roll my eyes. "I'm already collateral damage. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been framed for Sam's murder."

Before Damon can respond, Grey interjects angrily.

"What does that mean?" he snaps at me quietly.

I jolt slightly. "I think we know what I mean," I mutter. "You guys wanted me gone."

The table is still deathly silent, watching our interaction with bated breaths and wide eyes. Damon just laughs quietly, looking at Grey, amused.

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," Grey hisses through clenched teeth.

His harsh tone is a somber reminder of his new feelings toward me, the hurt returning in my chest. I look at him sadly, shrugging.

"It's okay. I don't blame you," I answer softly.

It's not how I wanted to have this conversation. I didn't want an audience to witness my confession or guilty feelings. But, I may not get another opportunity.

Damon puts his hand on Grey's shoulder, calming down the inferno building in his eyes. "Leave it," he orders Grey.

"No," he growls. "She's spitting out bullshit."

I cringe. "I'm just saying that I understand. And that I'm sorry."

It's an apology to him, even though I still maintain I haven't done anything wrong. I know I hurt him, and at the end of the day, that's what matters. His feelings are valid, and while everything we had is gone, I still want him to know that.

Damon squeezes his hold on Grey, looking around the room. "We'll adjourn the meeting temporarily. Please enjoy the food and use of the private rooms while we deal with this. Avery, keep your ass seated."

No one needs to be told twice, everyone quickly pushing off from their chairs as they grab food or head to the isolated aisles. I stay in my chair, watching as some people give me pitying looks, while others ignore me completely.

I look over at Damon and Grey, the two of them whispering heatedly to each other. Finally, Grey relaxes, letting out a sigh. I'm amazed that someone like Damon has the power to calm him, and for a weird second, I'm actually appreciative of that fact.

When everyone disappears from this end of the library, I expect to be alone with Damon, but he turns and vanishes out of sight behind a curtain.

I gape at Grey's lone figure, trying to process what is happening.

Grey takes a few seconds to compose himself, breathing deeply. I don't dare move or say anything, heart racing.

Maybe he'll speak to me?

Finally, he opens his eyes, looking at me coldly. "Come with me," he demands, stalking off toward the library doors.

I quickly push my chair back, rounding the table to catch up with him. We head past the closed off aisles, the sounds of people talking and fucking inside.

As we head outside the library doors, I'm astonished that Grey motions for me to go into the dark, quiet hall with him.

The doors close behind us and I take a quick glance around, making sure we're truly alone. There's not a soul in sight—probably not in us either—and finally, I turn to face Grey.

"Hey…" I start, unsure of what to say.

He stands tall, arms folded. "What the hell is your problem?" he asks angrily. "We did you a favor inviting you back and you just start badmouthing Damon."

"I didn't plan to do it," I say weakly. "Besides, isn't it the truth?"

Grey glares at me. "You think we framed you?"

"Yeah, kind of…" I trail off.

He shakes his head, laughing in disbelief. "Wow, Avery. After everything I did for you… that's how you perceive me."

My eyebrows furrow. "Wait… are you saying it wasn't you?"

"Why the fuck would we frame you for murder?"

"I…" Unsure of how to answer, I just fall silent.

Grey paces in front of me, face finally cracking. He looks hurt—again. "I don't believe you."

"It wasn't you or Damon?" I ask, bewildered. "You didn't put that card in my pocket?"

He stops, glaring at me. "Of course not! I'm mad at you. So fucking mad at you. But I'm still trying to protect you for some stupid reason. The fact that you would ever think that. Fuck! I obviously didn't know you at all."

Panic.

Just pure panic in my blood.

"Grey," I say, moving toward him. "Just let me explain things."

"You already did," he replies angrily. "And I don't want to hear it again. You're free to do what you want, Avery."

I hate the way my name sounds on his lips now. It sounds like poison—choking him from the inside out. I'm a walking suffocation, but I take the chance, knowing I might not get the opportunity again.

I cross the distance between us, putting my hands on his arms. He stiffens, but surprisingly, doesn't shove me off.

"Grey," I murmur softly. "You mean everything to me. Since day one, you saw something in me. It was the first time in my life that someone really cared enough to fight for me. And that means so much to me. With Theo… it was the same." The mention of his name makes Grey's eyes flash, and I tread carefully, continuing. "You both treated me like I meant something. I'm not used to that. And with us, you and me, it's— was —so special. But I didn't know it was just meant to be us. This is all new to me. And I'm learning to survive here. I fucked up, I know I did. And I can't forgive myself for hurting you. But I'm willing to help you if it means finding a way to fix the hurt."

Grey stares at me silently, eyes scanning my face.

"I'm sorry," I say sincerely. "I know what we had is over. But I just want you to know that I'm not going to tell Whittingham anything. And I'll do what Damon needs if it's what you want. You can ignore me if that's what you need. Now that I know the truth, I'll deal with it and leave you alone."

It feels like a tiny weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't even know what I've rambled, but at least I've finally said my peace.

I believe him entirely when he says that they didn't do it. I can hear it in his voice, in his pain. Despite Damon taunting it, I now realize it wouldn't have made sense. They were nowhere near me when it happened.

He just continues to stare at me in complete silence, but slowly, a part of me notices his hardened face fading. Not fully though—just enough that I don't fear for my life. Though, if I'm being honest, I don't think I ever would—even now.

Finally, he just nods, turning around and heading out of the hall with a silent command to return to the library.

I follow behind him, unsure how to feel. But somehow… it feels like a step in the right direction.