“I don’t know,” I whisper.
Grey’s eyes narrow, his brow furrowing. “Why are you lying?”
“I’m not lying,” I protest weakly, but even to my own ears, it sounds unconvincing.
“Tell me,” he insists once more, his tone brooking no argument.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I had a project, an AR project. I was working on something… and it’s gone now.”
“Tell us about it,” Oliver probes gently.
I hesitate, my fingers twisting nervously. Grey’s voice cuts through the tension, firm and unyielding. “Amelia, we need to know to help. Whatever it is, we’re here.”
Let’s hope he still thinks that way when Elysium fires me for this.
“I… I made AR visible to the naked eye,” I confess on a whisper.
To my surprise, they don’t react with astonishment or disbelief. They just nod as if this revelation isn’t earth-shattering, as if I hadn’t just admitted to achieving what many thought impossible.
I blink, stunned by their nonchalant reaction. “You don’t believe me?” I ask, my voice tinged with confusion and a hint of hurt.
I can’t even prove it now.
Grey shakes his head. “Oh, we do. And that explains why someone would break in here to get it.”
Oliver shifts nervously, his fingers drumming against his thigh. “Should we call the police?”
“No,” I say quickly, panic rising in my chest. “I… I could get into trouble for this. Let’s just say it wasn’t authorized by Elysium, and I may have used some resources from them. Off the books, so to speak.”
Fuck, did I just admit to that?
They exchange glances, and Grey mutters, “That explains it.”
“Explains what?” I ask, but he ignores me.
“Sounds like we have to find out ourselves,” Grey says, glancing at Oliver, who nods in agreement.
“What are you even saying?” I ask, rubbing the back of my head. “Ouch.”
Oliver bends down with gentle hands, ready to lift me. “Come on, we’re going to the hospital.”
“No, I don’t want to. It’s just a bump,” I protest, determined to avoid making a fuss.
Even if avoiding making said fuss is making a fuss.
“Fine,” he sighs. “Then I’ll carry you up to our apartment. I’m going to call Morgan to come check you out, at least.”
“It’s already late,” I protest again, not wanting to wake her up for this.
“Amelia, you’re going to let her check you out, or I’m going to put you over my shoulder, spank your ass and carry you to that goddamn hospital. Do you hear me?” Grey’s patience seems to hang by a threat.
Fine.
“I can walk,” I mutter to Oliver.
“I know.” He utters quietly but doesn’t relent, scooping me up in his arms. The warmth of his body against mine is comforting and despite my protests, I find myself relaxing into his embrace.
As we move toward the door, a thought strikes me, cutting through the fog in my mind.
