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 think you know everything,” Gareth spits out, shaking his head as if to get my words out from inside it.
“I know more than you think,” I tell him. “I know Megan, a CUP success, is with Bastian now. It’s why I never got to see her that night you lied to me because she wasn’t there. She was with my brother. Caius let me speak with her tonight. He reveals a lot about this family. A lot.”
It’s a gamble telling him all this, but I’m in too far to quit now.
Lives are at stake, and I need to get Gareth to go against his brother just long enough to help me and LuLu escape.
“I know Caius is a CIA informant,” I say quickly before I lose my nerve, “and Ted is his handler.”
Romy
Boisterous laughing fills the air. The massive man, who only moments ago was seconds from exploding into the Hulk, is now cracking up so hard, tears are snaking down his cheeks.
I’m not amused.
The humor fades, and confusion replaces it. Gareth’s eyes begin to dart back and forth, doing mental calculations with my words.
It’s just a theory that Caius is CIA. It would make sense as to why he’s been speaking privately with a prior government employee. I’d also like to believe it’s why he didn’t take part in what Solomon did with the girl. Because, deep down, he’s a good guy.
But he’s not good enough because I’m still his captive, witnessing terrible scenes and awful truths left and right. Caius is emotionless, aside from rare bursts of anger, which means he’s tougher to crack.
Gareth, though, has buttons.
I pushed too hard before, but this time, I pushed just right.
He’d obviously been having issues with his brother long before I came into the picture. With Caius showing actual interest in me, Gareth clearly had a problem with it. It’s been festering and growing for weeks.
Choosing Gareth as my savior in this whole mess makes a lot more sense. Play on his emotions, keep his anger pointed at his brother, and use the bear of a man for my escape.
I can’t believe this is working.
“We have to find LuLu,” I say softly, hoping to guide him back to the rescue part of my plan. “We can get out of here while they do the swap.”
Gareth begins muttering to himself and starts to pace. A twinge of unease rises up inside me. The man is a bomb waiting to explode. If I’m not careful, he’ll take me out with him.
“Hey,” I murmur, reaching to touch his arm. “Are you okay?”
His fiery eyes land on me, pinning me in place. “I knew it. I fucking knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“That he was playing us,” Gareth hisses. “I told Dad once,” he sneers, spittle flying out and hitting my face. “You know what he did?”
I shake my head, shrinking away from him. “N-No. What did he do?”
“He locked me inside the same fucking pool room my girl died in.” His eyes become manic, and his pupils are dilated to nearly full black. “For days, Ro. Fucking days. I nearly lost my damn mind having to stare at those dark waters where we found her body.”
“I’m sorry,” I croak.
Time to reel things back. He’s losing it.
“He’s always been a betrayer, and Dad chooses his side anyway, time and time again.” Gareth tugs at the hair on his head before throwing his hands in the air. “Caius has a terrible secret, doesn’t he? And you know about it.”
“What? I already told you what I know. He’s with the CIA.”
A dark laugh escapes him. “No, there’s more. I can see it in your eyes. You know something.”
The accusation brings a thought to mind.
Calista.
Caius’s deep, dark secret that could get me killed if I mention it.
“I don’t know anything else,” I lie, tearing my eyes from his. “Come on. I’ll get dressed and we can go before it’s too late.”
He snags my bicep, nearly crushing me in his tight grip. I cry out at the sharp pain that shoots through my arm.
“He loves you and you love him. That wasn’t assault earlier. I heard you moan,” Gareth accuses. “You two are playing some kind of head game on me. Is this so you can take Kaitlyn from me? That’s what Caius wants. I fucking know it.”
Okay, now he’s really losing it.
“No,” I rush out as I try to pry his fingers off me, to no avail. “We don’t want your daughter.”
“Liar!” he booms. “Caius wants her out of my house. He fought Dad hard when I said I wanted to adopt again. Dad was almost convinced to deny me what I wanted most. The only reason I succeeded is because I agreed to Caius’s rule. I had to have a live-in nanny. Apparently, I’m not trustworthy since my other kid drowned!”