Page 174 of Brainwashed

“You brought him home with you.” Templeton’s voice slinks into my ear and my face springs in his direction. “For days on end… you’ve been shacking up with him in the name ofbehavioral research.” He huffs, shaking his head. “It’s a nice theory, but there are ways to get what you’re getting without allowing a serial killer to sleep in your bed with you.”

“Yea, we all know about yourmethods, you perverted fuck,” I hiss at him.

“Alright, let’s just take it easy here.” Johansson sighs, but I throw a hand up at him, my glare locked on the Scottish prick by the bookshelf.

“No. Fuck that. Let’s lay it all on the table.” My head slants. “I don’t fucking like you, Templeton. I think you’re a smug, self-righteous embarrassment to the profession.” Templeton’s eyes harden as he fumes in my direction. But I’m not done. “I looked into you, you know. You were almost kicked out of the University of Edinburgh for behavioral misconduct. Experimenting on undergrads under the university’s radar…”

“That was a lapse in judgment,” he grumbles. “They were all consenting…”

“I’m sure they were,” I mutter sarcastically. “But the fact remains. I don’t trust you with Felix. I don’t trust you not to fuck him up, or ruin him in some way in the name of your misguidedresearch.”

“Doctor, we’re all here for research,” Johansson butts back in. “Felix isn’t your personal property. And your concern should be on what we stand to gain from him, rather than onhim.”

“He’smypatient.” My fist clenches over and over at my side, rage building inside me like Tetris.

“Patient. Not boyfriend,” Templeton mumbles.

I see red. Standing up fast, I shove my chair out of the way with a loud scrape. “You got something to say, you ginger-haired motherfucker?” I stomp up to Templeton as he straightens.

I don’t stop until I’m an inch from his face. He’s not backing down, and it’s making me want to level him. I’m not one to get into physical altercations, but I’ve been boxing in the gym for years.If this asshole wants to keep talking shit, I will have no problem wasting him.

“Your time here is up, Love.” Templeton speaks calmly, far too smug for my liking. “Time for you to go back to your life. Leave Felix with me.” He smirks. “Don’t worry… I’ll take care of him.”

I lunge at him, and immediately Johansson and Hassan are holding me back while I roar in the Scot’s face, “I’ll lay your ass out, you hear me?! You touch him again, and you’re dead!”

“Doctor, enough!” Johansson gripes, struggling to keep me in check.

As much as I want to dive on that asshole and mash his face into the floor, I force myself to close my eyes and take a breath.

“Get off me.” I shrug out of their hold, stalking toward the door.

“Doctor! Lemuel… we’re going to treat him! Whether you like it or not.” Johansson’s voice echoes, but I’m already out of the office, storming up the hallway.

I need to get the fuck away from these fools before I really lose control.

I slam my way through the doors of the East Wing, back to my office, all the while mentally scolding myself. I can’t believe I just exploded like that…

I’veneverbehaved this way with colleagues before. And sure, those guys are on the darker shade of morally gray, especially for doctors. But still, thatisthe nature of this place. This job, and the research I’m doing here. Research I’ve been dying for since med school. Even before that… Since I was a teenager.

Working with someone like Felix Darcey, learning from him, has always been the dream I’ve chased. And now that I have it, I’m fucking blowing it.

I’m fucking my patient. I’ve also never done that before…

The first time I ever cross that unethical line and I do it withThe Carver…?

What the fuck is wrong with me??

Stomping into my office, I bash the door with a roar, backing up against it. I cover my face with my hands and try to remember to breathe. But counting to ten isn’t working this time. My head is all fucked up.

I’ve never let emotions out in front of strangers before. I’ve never been sopossessiveof a patient I’ve only known for a few weeks…

I’ve never had such a strong urge inside me to protect someone. To keep him under glass, like a rare and precious flower.Why do I feel this way??

What is it aboutthispatient, Felix fucking Darcey, that’s turning my entire world upside down??

Whatever it is, I can’t have it. I don’t behave this way.

John Douglas would be ashamed.