Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Caius reaches over, plucks the phone out of my hands, and slides it into his pocket before I can protest. When he takes hold of one of my hands and squeezes it, warmth surges through me.
This is the most frustrating part of all this.
I’m developing feelings for him.
I suppose that’ll happen when your pretend boyfriend murders your rapist. There’s just no coming back from that. Tricking Dad and Bastian into believing we’re a real couple won’t be so difficult.
What’s to stop me from blabbing anyway? Megan’s safe now. I could just refuse to leave Dad’s place. He’d protect me.
Or would he?
He didn’t protect me all those years ago from the monster, from my therapist, from the confusion that constantly plagued my mind.
But Bastian did.
The pain of seeing Megan and hearing my brother’s voice a few days ago is something I keep trying to push deep into a hole. I don’t want to admit that I’ve been duped by him—by all of them.
I don’t understand any of it and my thoughts truly are unreliable at this point.
Orion’s intense gray eyes bore holes into the two of us. We all know this thing between me and Caius is a ruse. They know I don’t believe it, yet we all pretend anyway. To what end?
Maybe finally getting to see my family will bring some much-needed clarity. I’m sure there’s a simple explanation that Bastian will provide. It’s possible it wasn’t even his voice I’d heard.
Liar.
As much as I want to convince myself of that, I know I can’t. His voice brought me comfort when I was at my worst. I’d know it anywhere.
It could have been a trick. Wouldn’t be the first time Caius has replicated someone’s voice. He has the capability with his AI program. Though that would be an easy out for me, I refuse to take it. I’ll get to the bottom of all this myself. Face to face. Dad may be able to lie straight to my face without flinching, but Bastian has tells.
“You don’t like Vivienne.” Caius’s smooth, deep voice jolts me from my racing thoughts. “She’s one of the best out there. Gets paid handsomely for her services too.”
I cringe at the thought of this woman being paid to be around children. Without proof or real memories, I can’t throw a fit, demanding for her to stay away from Kaitlyn.
You can’t save anyone, Romy, can you?
“I’m still figuring her out,” I admit in a whisper. “I get a bad feeling about her.”
Caius doesn’t sigh or argue that I’m being stupid for feeling this way. He takes in my words, digests them, and says nothing in return. I’d like to think he’s considering them rather than dismissing them. For once, I don’t feel crazy.
“Whatever happened to LuLu?” I ask, hating how my voice trembles. “Everything about the yacht after…”
He squeezes my hand quick and firm. I think it’s a warning. Orion’s head is tilted slightly as if he’s trying to hear what we’re saying from where he sits.
“I’m sure Ava handled her transfer.”
“To where?” I turn my head to meet his dark eyes. “Is she okay?”
I’m asking a manipulative murdering kidnapper if some trafficked girl is okay. Trusting that he’d care, much less give me a correct answer, shows just how far I’ve slipped when it comes to him.
There’s a connection between us. Trust, a budding friendship, more… Whatever it is, it’s stupid and reckless. It’ll only ruin my life more than it already is.
“Considering the police got involved, I’m sure Ava whisked the girls away quickly.” He leans closer, brushing a soft kiss on my cheek, and whispers, “Not here. Later.”
His breath tickles my flesh and I shiver. He’s definitely withholding information from his father about the whole ordeal. Knowing we have a secret together is satisfying. I’m more than just a captive here. I have knowledge.
Calista.
The name is seared into my brain and I want to ask him more about her. But based on how badly he’s reacted in the past at the mention of her, I know it’s not wise. In fact, I can’t be sure whether or not he murdered Gareth because he was raping me or because he heard me mention Calista’s name.
Surely Caius was defending my honor, not his secrets.
Surely.
“Are you nervous about seeing your family?” Caius asks, no longer whispering. “Think your dad will approve of your new lover? You going to tell him about the baby?”
Heat burns hot across my cheeks. His voice carries loud enough that Vivienne looks at us, eyebrows lifted in surprise. Orion, thankfully, is rapid-fire texting and no longer paying attention.
“I’d rather not share that with the world,” I grit out, digging my dull nails into his hand, “lover.”
He smirks. “Oh, yes. Our little secret.”
I don’t know why he seems to get off on telling everyone I’m pregnant. We haven’t even had sex yet.