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)
He doesn’t reply at first and then murmurs, “I’ve been trying to earn Solomon’s trust for quite some time now. I think he knows one day I’ll take over for my father, hence the olive branch being offered my way.”
“He’s a bad guy, though,” I mutter, remembering the callous way he handled the body of that girl.
Caius stiffens almost imperceptibly. “Aren’t we all? It’s the company we Crownes keep.”
Do I hear a hint of sarcasm?
Is it because I call them all monsters and he’s confirming he’s one?
“At least prepare me on what to expect,” I say in exasperation. “You say Theo is too reckless, yet you’re bringing me—your captive who wants nothing more than to escape.”
Caius places his hand on my thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze that sends buzzing electricity through me. “Not captive. Girlfriend. Remember?”
“Your constant gaslighting is exhausting,” I say with a yawn. “Tell me. I don’t want to find myself in that creep’s clutches. You saw the way he looked at me.”
I note that Caius doesn’t remove his hand from my leg. I wonder why I don’t fling it off. It’s offering a modicum of comfort as my anxiety spikes the closer we get to our destination.
“As long as you stay near me or in your room, you’ll be fine.”
“How can you be sure I’ll play along?” I ask, meeting his gaze. “What if I tell everyone you’ve taken me?”
He leans closer, so close his nose nearly brushes mine and I can smell a hint of bourbon on his lips. “There are far worse monsters than me, little girl, and many will be on that yacht with us.”
I shiver at his insinuation. Not that I didn’t know this already. It sucks having it confirmed, though.
“How about this,” he says, dark eyes boring into me. “If you play along, I’ll finally give you something you desperately want.” He drops his gaze to my mouth and his lips quirk almost as if he might break into a grin. He doesn’t. “Something you really, really want.”
There are a lot of things I want but kissing him isn’t one of them.
“Megan,” I rush out. “I want to speak to Megan.”
His face remains impassive, so he must’ve anticipated that request. “Deal.”
I blink at him, shocked at his easy agreement. “Really?”
“Really.”
I don’t sense he’s lying. “When?”
He leans back and accepts new drinks from the woman, a glass of dark liquor for himself and wine for me. After handing me my glass, he finally answers my question.
“Let’s see how you do first. The moment we step off this plane, you’re in love with me. Understood? None of this bickering and arguing. Game face on, little girl.”
I’m really going to get to speak to Megan.
This is finally happening.
I just have to put on a convincing show.
He downs his glass in one gulp before setting it in his cupholder. Then he leans close to me again, stretching his arm over the back of my seat. His familiar scent tickles my nose.
“It’s imperative you don’t go off exploring like you did last night,” he murmurs close to my ear, a warning lacing his tone. “Like I said. With me or in our room. At all times.”
“Or with your brother?” I ask, testing his loyalty.
Instead of answering the question, he says, “Did I stutter?”
I want to elbow him in the gut for being such a prick, but the pilot comes on the speaker, asking us to strap in for our descent. Turning from Caius’s off-putting nearness, I stare out the round window into the gray clouds. Like the dutiful pretend boyfriend he is, he buckles me in, making sure to tighten the strap across my lap before doing the same for himself. If he can dress me and choose which panties I wear, I guess he can buckle my seat belt.
For the first time since I’ve been here, I actually feel hopeful. I’m going to talk to Megan. That means she’s alive and well. I’ll get answers from her. Maybe she’s somewhere safe and all I’ll need to do is worry about getting myself out of Caius’s grasp.
My stomach flips as we begin losing altitude. I get lost in watching the snow-covered homes, buildings, and trees come into view. It’s a dreary, blistery day in Pennsylvania.
The next hour goes by in a blur of landing, departing, and climbing into a rental vehicle. While we drive from the airport to the marina, I text back and forth with Theo.
Me: Just landed. Gloomy here.
Theo: Blizzard here. FML.
Me: Maybe you should go make a snowman with Kaitlyn. Will you keep an eye on her for me?
Theo: Did you get to meet her last night?
Me: Nah. I was essentially threatened for possibly taking her away from her daddy.
Theo: He’s very protective over his kids.
Kids?
Me: He has more?
Theo: Did. Emma died last year.