Chapter 9 Seeing Avery in person is even better than the rush I get after slitting a neck wide open. Warmth that fills you so thoroughly that you want to bathe in it and let every primal, unhinged instinct take over. It's a mystery as to why Arthur decided to turn all the systems back online. I can only assume the authorities have left so there's no more need for a big song and dance. He also knows and fears that the longer we're left caged and prodded, the harder it will be to subdue us. Although things are back to normal-somewhat, anyway-we can't become complacent. Arthur is well aware that this means we can move freely from the rooms. Once the security systems came back online, it only took Byrone and Jillian mere seconds to override access. I bet Arthur vacated the premises well before that, likely hiding somewhere away from here until things settle. Changing the code was a nice touch though. Christopher has been oddly helpful, providing me with the new code as soon as I was released from solitary confinement. Alexander and Lily's wedding anniversary? Nothing says murder and mayhem like a personal touch. My patience is wearing thin at their antics. I've imagined ripping out their spines with my bare hands more times than Hallman could count. I'm curious who picked the new code-whether it was gutless Arthur or Alexander the Great Cunt. I can just imagine the two of them having a good laugh at our expense-another dose of dead mother reminders for Damon. Given our latest news about nuptials, I can guarantee it's a tribute to Damon and Avery. Alexander loves sending messages, and while he has always refused to admit directly that he murdered Lily, it's implied in his methods. To the docile, naïve faceless specimens of the world, Lily Emerson-Dale died of an overdose. However if even one person was worth their paycheck, they'd be able to see that the toxicology report was inconclusive, vastly different from the initial findings to reflect a large quantity of narcotics and sleeping pills in her system. An error, they called it. Money can buy you anything in this world-even murder. 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 surface level, 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 allowed free 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 are back 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 death wish, 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.' 'Hey, asshole. I'm right here,' I tease. 'I could have left you in your room and fucked Avery in the library.' 'No, you couldn't.' Avery chuckles quietly at our friendly banter, climbing off Theo to sit on the bed. He slides in next to her, and when she pats the free spot on her other side, I toss myself onto the bed with an enthusiastic bounce. Draping my arm around her shoulders, I tilt my head back against the wall. 'How do you feel about the little surprise though?' 'I would have said yes,' she replies heatedly before relaxing her tone. 'Especially if it means fucking Alexander over. But the real question is why did you agree to it? Either of you? I assume you both knew beforehand.' 'Because it doesn't matter which one of our names is on a piece of paper. You're still mine,' Theo answers first, giving me the side-eye. His arm is stroking her lower back, and playfully, I shove it off. 'Actually, she was mine first. Just saying.' Theo huffs a laugh, unfazed at my stunt-still completely unbothered when I pull Avery into my lap. 'Because saying yes meant protecting you, little killer. Saying yes means we have a chance at setting you free from this place. I'll stop at nothing, do anything, kill everybody to keep you safe.' Avery leans down, gently pressing her lips against mine. 'I'm still yours,' she breathes out. 'And Theo's. Nothing will ever change that. All three of you have my heart.' Hearing her words against my lips, my control starts to slide. I'm vividly aware of the small movements her hips are making in my lap. The way she claims me-us-like we do her makes me want to kill them all now so that I can fuck her in their blood while knowing that she's safe and ours forever. My hand slides up her leg, enjoying the plush material of the teal sweatpants she's wearing. 'I love you in anything but seeing you in sweatpants, I have to say it's getting me hard,' I comment, grinning as she pulls back to glance down at her attire. 'Alyssa gave them to me,' she says simply. I have no idea who Alyssa is but she gets the Grey stamp of approval. 'The top as well.' Our girl clearly has a type. No wonder she was torn between the two of us, because it's glaringly obvious now that Theo and I are two peas in a fucking mental pod. He mimics my thoughts, reaching over to slide the thin strap of her top down her shoulder. 'They don't exactly have a closet full of bras and underwear in the hospital,' Avery retorts, understanding where our minds are at. 'That's why I'm not wearing any.' Swallowing a groan, I slip my hand under the waistband of the sweatpants to check. And fucking hell-she's not lying. My hand immediately finds her wet cunt, and I waste no time sliding my finger up her slit and dipping in to stroke her clit. 'I'm starting to think you enjoy your men possessive,' I murmur. 'You're so fucking wet for us already.' Avery rocks her hips into my hand, biting the inside of her bottom lip. 'Enjoy the outfit while you can. It won't be long before I'm forced back into dull, monochrome colors that do no favors for my complexion.' 'I'll rip every single uniform off you and leave a trail from your cunt to Arthur's office,' I growl, pushing my finger inside her. She inhales sharply, her tight cunt instantly squeezing around me. She's already lost in our little bubble, not noticing Theo shifting off the bed until he's standing behind her back. We look at each other for a quick second, exchanging a silent conversation as she relaxes and melts into him. His name leaves her lips in a whisper, tilting her head back for him. Theo leans over, starting his attention on her neck as he pushes the straps further down her arms until her tits are in my face. My mouth encloses around the hardened, sweet tip, making her hips jerk. My fingers are still buried inside her and I trace circles around her clit with my thumb. None of us care that the door is still wide open, at risk that another guard could appear at any second. I'd have to kill them then and there if they do, because no one except the three of us are allowed to see her naked body. I feel her getting close, Theo's hand wrapped around her throat and choking her as they kiss. He's silencing her moans, but we both know she's on the edge, speedily approaching breaking point. 'Don't stop,' I hear her beg. 'Please.' 'They would have to pry my cold, dead body away from you to get me to stop,' I respond lowly. 'If I don't kill them first.' Theo's fingers tighten around her throat, cutting her breathing off. 'Break for us, Aves. Give it to us.' Her lips part silently as her cunt undulates sweetly around my fingers as she comes. The hand around her throat disappears, her voice cracking as she cries out for a brief second before Theo swallows the sounds with his mouth. I don't stop fucking her with my hand until the last of her orgasm drifts away in waves, slowly removing my fingers when she slumps against Theo. Avery's eyes are hazy and almost unfocused, but she watches me as I taste her on my fingers. Holding up my hand to Theo, he snatches my wrist, almost crushing my bones in his grasp. I grin as he maneuvers my hand to Avery's lips, guiding my arousal covered finger into her mouth. She moans in surprise but sucks hard, my eyes darkening with violent greed. Removing my hand, Theo bunches up her hair in his fist, jerking her head backwards. He leans over the top of her, shoving his tongue into her mouth in a brutally passionate kiss, tasting her off her tongue. If we didn't have important business to attend to, I'd take away her ability to walk for the next three to five business days. But instead, I will myself to calm down, knowing that it will be that much sweeter when I take her later and fuck her cunt into oblivion. When Theo and Avery finally separate, I swoop in and capture her mouth in a quick kiss, biting her bottom lip. 'Come on, little killer. Time to go fuck shit up.'