Page 162 of Brainwashed

I know what he’s getting at. He doesn’t even need to say the words…

He knows Felix is here right now.

Taking a sip of my scotch, I focus on the burn as it slides down my throat. “What did you want to know, Manuel? About The Carver.”

He lets out an incredulous sort of huff, shaking his head in amusement. “You know, when I hired you, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I was well aware that your methods would be unorthodox, and I was actually excited about that fact. I figured you would get along quite well with Johansson and his team… That you would expand on their methods. Get deeper into the mind of that twisted little fuck in ways they’re simply not capable of.”

He sits forward, tilting his head at me, like a predator toying with its prey before that first chomp. “What I didn’t expect was for you to turn to putty in his blood-soaked hands.”

My jaw clenches in anger. If there’s one thing that pisses me off more than anything else, it’s people who assume they know what’s going on. And this asshole being the Warden doesn’t mean shit.

“I assure you that’s not what’s happening,” I growl, and he chuckles again. I seethe the words through gritted teeth, “I am infullcontrol of Felix Darcey, and my research. Whatever you’ve seen is irrelevant. I’m doing my job, Manuel. Just as you’ve hired me to.”

He purses his lips. “I didn’t hire you to fuck my inmate.”

My spine stiffens, but I ignore it. “You’ve said it to me time and time again. My methods are my own. The ways in which I choose to examine Felix are up to me. But I’ll tell you right now, he is not taking advantage of me. I know exactly what I’m doing with him.”

The words I’ve just spoken echo in my mind, stinging my ears. The truth is, I have no idea what I’m doing with Felix. And our physical relationship very well could be jeopardizing my research and this job… In fact, I’m sure it is.

But I just…can’tfind it in myself to care. Maybe because it’s still so new, such a unique, shiny thing that’s entered my world. But right now, it’s hard to imagine walking away from this. Even though I know I’ll have to eventually…

The Ivory stares at me for a moment in silence. “Your application said you were straight…”

“I am.”

His light eyebrow arches. “I saw the video of the sonogram.” Some shame slinks up my neck onto my face, but I ignore it, tossing back the rest of my glass. “I see everything that happens on this island, Lem. You know that.”

“So?” I shrug. “That means nothing. This is my research, Manuel. This is how I get to him. You told me yourself, you wanted me inside every crevice of his mind. Well, guess what? That’s exactly where I am. If I need to invade his body as well, then that’s what I’ll do. I’m not in arelationshipwith him… It’s work.”

Blanco’s expression changes, and he looks impressed. Taken aback, but pleased. “And I thought I was cold-blooded!” He lets out a chortle of amusement and finishes his drink, pouring himself some more from the bottle. “Well, Lem, if you say you have it under control, then I feel inclined to believe you. Also, because I won’t lie, watching your research unfold is highly entertaining.” A salacious twinkle flickers in his dark eyes.

I shift, attempting to get my emotions back on track, but they’re all sort of swarming up inside me. I have no clue what I’m doing…

I’m lost.

I’m weak.

I’m a fraud.

Maybe my parents are right… I’m an egotistical charlatan. What do I know, anyway??

Fucking my serial killer patient… Bringing him home with me??

Jesus Christ… I’m total disaster.

But I don’t let any of my hesitations show. I simply reach for the bottle when Manuel hands it out, pouring more scotch into my glass and sipping it quick.

“Based on the way things are going though, Lem, I will need to insist that you provide me daily research updates from now on,” he demands casually. “And I’m going to need Felix back in the prison.”

His eyes lock on mine. My breathing shallows and I gulp. The way he’s looking at me… I know this man could kill me right now if he wanted to. Apparently, I’ve made that very easy for him. I don’t think he will, but still… I need to tread lightly.

Assuming that I can get away with anything isn’t the smartest play here.

“You understand why… don’t you, Doctor?” he asks, narrowing his gaze at me.

I nod. “Yes. Of course. But I have to say… this experiment is groundbreaking. Getting him out of that prison was like being able to study him in his natural habitat.”

Blanco makes a face as if he doesn’t necessarily disagree. “Do you plan on allowing him to kill a member of my staff?” Kent’s face tilts in our direction, ears clearly perking up at that, and Manuel grins wickedly. “I just want to know so that I can be prepared.”