“I don’t know why we couldn’t stay behind,” Lex says, cracking his fists. “I’d like to show Acacia who is really in control.”
Since our breakout, Acacia hasn’t recruited any more test subjects. Those who were previously part of his twistedexperiment conveniently disappeared after we vanished, but he won’t go long without new recruits. He needs to keep money coming in and, more importantly, satiate his sick desires. After all the negative press, he’ll use tonight as an opportunity to reboot the program.
“We have to be patient, remember?” I say. “We’ll get our revenge.”
Let’s hope she’s ready for what’s coming.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
ERIN
“Where were you?”Dad snaps as soon as I return to the table. Obviously, my absence didn’t go unnoticed. “It’s been an hour.”
Servers put plates down in front of us, and my stomach heaves. Food is the last thing I want. I try catching the eye of the girl serving our food. She doesn’t look back, but her blank stare makes me wonder whether she’s been subjected to abuse at my father’s hands. My entire reality has been turned upside down, making me question everything.
“I…” I murmur. “Upset stomach.”
Mom puts her hand against my forehead and frowns. “You don’t look so good, honey. You’re as white as a sheet.”
Dad scowls, as if I’ve purposefully become ill to inconvenience him. Little does he know that he’s the one responsible.
I shuffle in my seat, struggling to get comfortable due to the lingering pain. I tried to clean myself up in the bathroom, but cum still soaks through the black fabric of my dress. Worse, I see the mayor, laughing and joking while knowing what’s happening within these very walls. Who else is complicit? Does everyone here know? I push my food away and swallow bile.
“Maybe we should call the driver to take Erin home,” Mom suggests, noticing we’re receiving a few quizzical looks from our guests opposite. “We don’t want to cause a scene.”
“That’s probably for the best,” I murmur in agreement, my voice hoarse.
“Fine,” Dad barks. He beckons a server to his side and hisses instructions in his ear.
Suddenly, clattering cutlery and a screeching chair make everyone’s heads swivel.
The sheriff jumps up from his seat abruptly, and a hushed silence descends.
“An accident?” he says into his phone. “What happened?”
He has the attention of the room.
“Uh-huh.” His expression turns grave, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepen. “I’ll be right there.”
He approaches our table, and my father rises to address him.
“I’m sorry to leave early, Magnus,” Sheriff Brady says. “There’s been an accident on the mountain. A car falling into a ravine. It’s a nasty scene, so I’ve been told. My men and I have to go.”
“Will the road be closed?” Dad asks.
Naturally, his first concern is whether this will affect his precious event.
“Temporarily, but I’ll have it open again by the end of the night,” he promises. “Officers are already out assessing the damage.”
“Oh no, but Erin’s unwell,” Mom pipes up. Dad glares at her, but she continues anyway. “She was about to leave.”
“I’ll have an officer drop her home on our way back down the mountain.” He winks. “Anything for the Acacia family.”
A trip in a squad car beats staying here.
“Is it anyone we know?” Mom asks, thriving on the drama as usual. “The driver?”
