Page 31 of Exile

"I like the way you think," I grin at him.

The more I get to know Theo, the more I start to wonder why I ever really hated him. I mean, sure, there was the little issue of him stealing Avery from me, but I guess we can say with confidence that she has a type and perhaps she knew on some level we'd be good friends. Mentally deranged, psychotic, unhinged. Even Damon fits into the category. Although I still often consider killing Theo for the thrill of it, I don't think I can imagine life without him now. He's the violent brother I never had—slipping in easily with our little group of blood-loving lunatics.

Straightening up, Theo narrows his eyes at me. "What? You have that stupid look on your face."

"Just remembering all the sweet times I wanted to kill you," I say lovingly. "Still do."

"The feeling's mutual, asshole," he replies, but lacking the usual venom.

I open up my arms, palms as wide as the grin on my face. "Hug?"

"Fuck off."

"I love you too," I snort, tossing my arm toward him and jabbing him with the tip of my knife.

Theo looks down slowly at the blade resting into his shoulder, lips tugging into an amused smirk. See—brothermates. Not quite soulmates, but something along those lines.

"Remove your damn hand before I give you a rectal massage with it."

"With the knife or my own hand?"

"Take your pick."

Flipping it back toward my chest, I catch the blade in my palm, enjoying the small sting it gives as it threatens to pierce my skin. I pocket it, motioning that our work is done for now.

"Come on, little psycho. Let's go find our girl and tell her the good news about Damon."

Chapter 12

Avery

It feels as though an ice bucket has been dumped over me, a shiver chilling me to the bones. "Excuse me?"

"We're prepared to release you from Lilydale and advise the Court that you have fulfilled your requirements of your stay. You'll be released back into the community and free to continue your life."

"But you want me to sign an annulment?" I question, the disgust visible in my tone.

Whittingham nods. "Reverse the damage you did and leave this all behind. Besides, it's for the best, isn't it? You don't need to be tied down to certainpeople."

Folding my arms, I hold his intense stare. He's trying to shake me down, dangling a carrot in my face. But he's made a grave mistake.

While he and Alexander have no qualms about hurting people to get where they want, I don't share the same view. And it's devastating to realize that he thinks this is all a game—that I solely and only entered into a marriage contract to fuck them over.

I mean sure, I didn't know I was entering into it… and they don't need to know that. But the thing he fails to recognize is my connection with Damon… with Grey and Theo, is more than revenge.

I'm nothing without them. They are my whole existence now—the three who saved me from my demons, my enemies, and freed me from the chains holding me back.

Whittingham takes my silence as a sign of contemplation, pushing a piece of paper toward me. Curiously, I lean forward, spotting the words 'ANNULMENT' along with a bunch of other text that holds no meaning.

"Just sign and walk out the door, Ms. White," he says coolly. "It's that simple."

My eyes fall onto the pen he's holding out, beady little eyes watching me eagerly. Shifting forward on my chair, I take the pen from his grasp, his eyes lighting up with greedy success.

Clicking the pen to eject the ballpoint, I lock eyes with him.

"You won't regret this," he encourages with a nod of his head. "You're better off without them."

A smile breaks across my face, his posture relaxing as if he's the cat that's got the cream. He's so sure that he has me won over, that he doesn't notice me moving until it's too late.