Page 48 of Psyop Kings

I quickly flip all the pieces over and sort them by edge pieces and then by color. By the time I start snapping parts together, footsteps can be heard climbing the stairs.

My first instinct is to run.

Two of them. One of me.

But last time I ran, I nearly drowned in one of their traps. This time I need to be smarter. Obtain information. Get a feel of what I’m dealing with.

“I see you found your things,” Caius says by way of greeting when he reaches the top of the stairs. “Good. Maybe now you can stop being crazy.”

I flip him off and then go back to my puzzle.

So much for playing it cool.

Theo sniggers from behind him. My back stiffens at his nearness. I’m tempted to look for the damage I caused his arm with my teeth, but I remain focused on my puzzle.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

Theo takes a seat nearby, but Caius remains standing. They’re both watching me with interest. I do my best to ignore them.

Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap.

This puzzle is easy. I may not be able to piece together my life right now, but the five hundred pieces of colored cardboard are something I can control without effort. It all makes sense when it’s laid out in front of me.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

Neither of the men says anything. I can feel their eyes boring into me. I’m able to tune them both out, focusing only on completing the puzzle.

Time bends and blurs until I snap the final piece into place.

I stare at the completed picture and smile a little before leaning back on the sofa, sinking into the cushions. Finally, I glance over at Caius.

His dark eyes are narrowed, but his features give nothing away. I flick my gaze over to Theo. He’s a little more expressive. His eyebrows are lifted in surprise and his full lips slightly parted.

“What?” I ask, glowering at him. “Why are you looking at me like I’m a freak?”

Theo snorts. “You kind of are a freak. I mean, seriously, who the hell puts together a five-hundred-piece puzzle that quickly?”

“It was easy,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. “It’s just a puzzle.”

Theo, no longer wearing his coat and beanie, leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as though to study me close up.Like I’m some sort of zoo animal. I bare my teeth at him. He laughs.

Asshole.

“Theo is going to have dinner with you this evening,” Caius says to me. “I have a meeting in the city. I’ll only be gone a few hours.”

In other words, Theo is going to be my babysitter.

“What city?” I ask as I start breaking down the puzzle. “Maybe I could go along with you.”

Theo chuckles again, clearly delighted by everything I do and say.

“You know I don’t talk business with you, little girl,” Caius clips out, tone bitter and cold. “Be good while I’m gone.”

He may have moved all my things into his home and forged some pictures of us together, but I know for a fact I’d never date a man like him. Ever. And, despite this whole production he’s put on, I’m clearly not Caius’s type either because he treats me with such blatant disdain.

“Bye, sweetheart,” I say with sugary sweetness. “Hope your car doesn’t hit black ice and run you off a cliff.”

Theo cackles and slaps his knee. At least someone’s enjoying this.

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