Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“You’ll be pleased that he was able to peel himself away from work to join us for breakfast,” Gareth says under his breath. “I know how much his busy schedule irritates you.”
I grit my teeth, refusing to be fooled by this man. Instead, I stay on his heels, looking for the mysterious man he alludes to. The area opens up into a space filled with fancily decorated bistro tables. Another scent—one I can’t place—overpowers the food smell. A flower of some sort maybe?
At the table, I discover Orion, Theo, and Caius. Orion sits at one end of the rectangular table and Caius sits at the other. Theo sits to Orion’s right.
“Concussion is still causing confusion,” Gareth says to the group as we arrive. “Please be patient with her.”
All of their eyes bore into me. I want to flip them off but manage to keep control of myself. Gareth pulls out a chair beside Caius and motions for me to sit. Caius gives a small nod as if to approve of the notion.
“Why am I here?” I demand as I take my seat. I turn my attention to Theo. “Why did you kidnap me?”
Theo’s lips twitch like he’s fighting a grin. Then he stuffs half a jelly-covered biscuit in his mouth, choosing to ignore my question.
“There’s some delusion about what happened,” Gareth continues. “You’ll see.”
But I’m not delusional.
No amount of gaslighting will make me believe them.
“I need my medicine,” I grit out, trying to keep my voice even and calm. “I’ll go through withdrawals without it.”
I remember when I’d been prescribed fluoxetine, the doctor gave it to me with a warning. Do not abruptly quit taking it. It’s the kind of medicine you must wean your body off of. You could become suicidal or have psychological delusions if you come off it too quickly.
Am I having those delusions?
Is that what the ever-changing room was or were these twisted men moving me around?
“That doesn’t happen with ibuprofen,” Caius says in a flat, bored tone. He picks up his coffee mug and sips it, eyes closing slightly as if truly appreciating the hot liquid. Then he sets it back down, the momentary glimpse of pleasure gone. “Get ahold of yourself, Romy. Your efforts to seek my attention are growing tiresome.”
I stare at him open-mouthed, unable to form any words of response. I’m distracted when a woman in a white button-down shirt and black slacks comes rushing in to bring me and Gareth each a plate of food.
“Help,” I whisper as she sets mine down in front of me.
She smiles warmly at me and then scurries away as though I never said anything.
“She doesn’t speak English,” Theo says, chuckling. “It’s cute you don’t remember.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I’m not falling for their nonsense. Theo lured me into a bar, drugged me, stuffed me in his car, and then locked me in a hole in the floor.
Don’t ever forget, Romy.
You’re here because they took Megan first.
My eyes pop back open as the woman returns to bring coffee for Gareth and some sort of fancy-looking latte for me. I get a whiff of pumpkin and frown at the drink. Orion watches me as though I’m a lightning bug caught in a glass jar—something to be studied until I die. A shiver trembles its way through me.
I pick up the latte and take a small sip. It’s pumpkin pie perfection. I’m shocked to discover it tastes nearly identical to the frappe I always get at school.
“I’ll be missed,” I tell them. “You can’t do this and get away with it.”
None of the men appear to be moved by my words. Theo, however, scrunches his eyebrows together and looks down at his plate. I get a sense he feels guilty. It’d be stupid to think he feels guilty for taking me. However, I get the sense he regrets causing this problem for his family.
“You’ll need to tell the doctor about the memory loss too,” Gareth says to Caius. “I hope it’s not permanent.”
“I remember everything clearly,” I snap, shooting Gareth a withering glare. “I’m not falling for this game you’re all playing.”
No reaction. No response. Nothing.
Their poker faces are impressive.
“You can only get away with this for so long,” I say hotly. “My dad will find me.” He always does. “And then you’ll pay for what you did.”
Orion’s neutral expression cracks, anger flickering to the surface. “Caius…”
Caius grunts in response, then taps his fork against my plate. “Eat.”
With nostrils flaring, I jerk my head to glower at him. His dark eyes bore into me. I don’t like the way he looks at me—as though I’m a simple puzzle he must solve before leveling up to a more difficult stage of whatever fucked-up game he’s playing. I should spit on him too. But, unlike Gareth, I’m actually afraid of what Caius would do. He keeps a careful check on his emotions, so he’s hard to read.