Page 116 of Sharing Silence

“We’ll get back to her,” I say, but Zayden doesn’t respond.

A door slams, and for a moment I think Xavier’s actually got out, until I realize the sound came from down the hall. I stand quickly, my gaze snapping to Xavier’s, and even though I wish she were anywhere else, I want to see Silence again. I want to kiss her, make sure she’s okay, that she’s surviving.

Instead, Ryker appears with an older man.

“Who the fuck’s this?” Xavier asks, but he’s ignored. Ryker goes directly to Zayden’s cell and unlocks it, letting the older man in. “No. No.” Xavier grips the bars. “Don’t you fucking touch him.”

The man kneels in front of Zayden, placing a bag beside him. Ryker watches quietly, almost irritated.

“Ryker,” I say, and he looks at me. “Is he a doctor?” He doesn’t respond, and I don’t want to ask again, but this guy’s ego requires something—to be loved. He wants to think controlling people like this works in his favor, so I’ll talk softly, and I’ll fucking thank him if I have to.

The doctor sighs. “This isn’t good. He’s burning up, and there’s a good chance the infection is spreading. He probably needs IV antibiotics.”

“No,” Ryker says. “Nothing he can use as a weapon.”

The doctor gestures at Zayden. “He’s unconscious.”

“But he won’t be if you treat him,” Ryker says sardonically. “Just inject him with something.”

As the doctor does as he’s told, Ryker’s phone rings. He goes into the hall to answer it, and while Xavier tries to talk the doctor into helping us, I move to the other side of my cell and listen to Ryker.

“—not fucking good enough, is it?” he hisses. “She’s one woman. Find her and fucking deal with her.”

My heart lifts.

Envy.

She’ll be tearing the city apart looking for us.

Ryker returns, and the doctor stands. “I’ve given him something to start with, and I’ll leave you with more. He’ll need an injection every twelve hours if you want him to live, so I’ve given you enough for the next five days.”

“You know the way out.”

The doctor nods, hands a paper bag to Ryker, and doesn’t give Xavier and I a second glance before leaving.

Ryker stares at Zayden, disgust twisting his features. He approaches our brother’s cell, his fingers tightening on the paper bag.

Then, he dips his hand into it and takes out a vial.

Drops it.

And stands on it.

“Ryker!” I shout.

He drops another.

And another.

“Fucking stop!” Xavier yells.

“You fucker! If he dies, she’ll never fucking forgive you! You know that, right?”

Ryker runs his tongue across his teeth and regards me with empty eyes. “I only need him alive long enough for him to tell Silence the truth.” He steps close to me. “Then she won’t care if he dies.”

I count the passing seconds by the distant dripping of a pipe. Sitting on the floor, my head back against the wall, I flick stones. Xavier has given up on fighting the loose bar and is resting his forehead against the cell, eyes closed.

“What do you think he meant?” I ask. “About Zayden telling Silence the truth?”