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)
These men may be good at their games for the outside world, but they brought me into the heart of their world. There’s no hiding one’s true self when you spend enough time around them.
I see you, Gareth Crowne.
“Family is everything to me,” Gareth growls. “Everything. And, lately, it feels like it’s slipping through my fingers.”
Is this another mind game?
Make me feel sorry for him? To what end?
“What does that have to do with me?” I demand, unable to tamper down my anger. “I’ve done nothing to you people.”
He studies me for a beat and then continues trekking along the trail. I have to hurry to keep up with his long strides. I’m not going to let him intimidate me. In case he forgot, I’m their prisoner. I’m not really Caius’s girlfriend.
“I think he’s forgetting his place in our family,” Gareth states with a grunt. “He’s done nothing but ruthlessly claw his way up to our father’s side, but when you show up, suddenly things change. Caius changes. Something’s going on.”
“And that’s my fault?” I ask, scoffing at him. “You’re seriously blaming me for your fucked-up family problems?”
He stops suddenly and whirls on me, his massive body towering over mine. Fear detonates in my chest. I have the sudden urge to run away like a small bunny desperately hoping to escape the jaws of a predator.
“Caius feels nothing,” Gareth explains slowly like I’m a stupid child. “I’ve been trying for years to get him to show some sort of emotion toward me.” His nostrils flare and a puff of white air escapes him, reminding me of a dragon about to spit fire. “With you, he’s different. I can’t put my finger on it, but I see it. I sense it. Under his icy exterior is a man who feels. For a stranger, no less. And yet, with his own brother, nothing.”
I’m beginning to get the picture now. Kind of like when my puzzle is about sixty percent done. I don’t need to look at the box any longer as it’s coming together quickly before my eyes. As it appears, I’m eager to piece it together as fast as I can.
Gareth craves the love of his big brother but never gets it.
Somehow, he wrongly believes Caius has given me this love that was supposed to be his. Are we even living on the same planet? What Caius gives me is frustration, intimidation, and confusion—not love. He doesn’t even like me. I’d go as far as to say he resents having to babysit and pretend to be my boyfriend. If anything, I’m a wrench in Caius’s perfectly constructed plans.
“This sounds like the conversation needs to be had between you and Caius,” I tell him, side-stepping him so as not to be so close. “I’m not sure how any of this is my fault. Need I remind you that you people took me from my life and planted me in yours. I didn’t inject myself into this family. You’re the poison, not me.”
He snorts in derision. “That was a dream, remember? You’re Caius’s live-in girlfriend.”
I roll my eyes because this was the same man who was going to help me escape said “dream” several days ago and turned me over to the devil himself instead. The poor attempts to break my mind aren’t working this time.
“For such a big, strong man, you’re incredibly insecure,” I bite out. “Excuse me. I’m going back. We’re done talking about this.”
He grabs hold of the back of my parka before I can go far. I start to scream, but his leather-gloved hand covers my mouth and his flashlight drops into the snow, bathing us in near darkness. “We’re not done talking. I need to show you something so you understand my position.”
Terror has me immobilized. If this man wants to keep me under his thumb, he can physically do it without blinking twice. Fighting him isn’t an option. I could probably scream, but I’m not sure my voice would carry all the way to Caius’s office.
And would he come save me?
They’re all monsters.
I force myself to relax, and thankfully, Gareth releases me. Spinning around to face him, I offer my fiercest glare, though he can’t see it. He bends over to retrieve the flashlight and then shines it in my eyes, blinding me.
“Come on,” he grunts. “This way.”
I follow after him because it’s not like I have a choice not to. He’ll just force me to do whatever it is he wants. While he walks, I pull my phone from my pocket and tug off my glove with my teeth so I can type a message to Theo.
Me: Gareth is taking me somewhere. He’s angry. Come find me, please.
Theo: On my way.
This family is full of liars, but I trust Theo to come through. He’s been the closest thing to an ally in this ordeal, which is ironic since he’s the one who got this ball in motion. I stuff my phone back into my pocket and put my glove back on before my fingers fall off from the cold. Gareth steps into an opening, gesturing at a cabin. It’s the same one Caius pointed out when he brought me to his home.