Page 105 of Psyop Kings

“But Caius only picks and chooses what he does, huh?” I ask, studying Gareth’s troubled expression. “He can say no to things that you’re not allowed to.”

Gareth freezes, eyes flashing with anger. I’ve hit a sore spot. Rather than provoking him this time, I need to delicately dance around it.

“What Ava did to you when you were younger was wrong. You know that, right?”

He tears his gaze from mine, once again staring at the shipping containers outside.

“Caius said no and avoided it. But you? Probably Theo too. You two didn’t get to say no.”

Gareth’s shoulders are tense, and a vein has popped out on the side of his neck. Crimson creeps over his flesh, telling a story he doesn’t want to.

“And now he’s going to take over.”

He snaps his head my way. “What?”

“Caius is going to take your father’s place. He’ll do as he pleases, telling you and everyone else no when it suits him, and you’ll be reduced to second place. Forever second place.” I shiver at his intense glare. “His secrets will remain his secrets.”

“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?”

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