Page 62 of Psyop Kings

“Please,” I beg, voice breathy. “We both want it.”

Before he can answer, a man approaches. I can sense fury emanating from him. At first, I think it’s Caius, finally noticing his brother staking a claim on me. It’s worse. Orion Crowne glowers at me with such contempt I’d stagger away if it weren’t for Theo’s strong body blocking me.

“Oh, hey, Dad,” Theo says in an easy tone. The sudden stiffness of his body claims otherwise. “What’s up?”

“Your obscene behavior, Theo,” Orion growls, “is an embarrassment. I knew this would be a problem.”

This being…me.

When I see Gareth from across the room, I take my leave, abandoning Theo with his furious father. “I, uh, need to visit the ladies’ room.”

Neither of them stops me. I unsteadily make my way over to where Gareth stands, shoulders tense, an edgy glint in his eyes. His hand is fisted beside him, and I pray it’s a key fob.

“Did you get it?” I murmur once I’m close.

He nods. “Open your purse.”

I unsnap the flap and he quickly drops the fob into it. Once I’ve safely closed it, it takes everything in me not to take off in a sprint toward the elevators.

“You’ll need me to get you down to the basement floor.” He scans the crowd and then nods toward the elevator. “Ready?”

“Yes,” I say, following after him when he heads for it. “What about Megan? Where is she?”

“That’s a little more complicated,” he says as we enter the safety of the elevator. “I’ll get you downstairs and then grab her. Just get out of the garage and turn right instead of left once you’re out. I’ll meet you on the side of the lodge with her.”

This seems too good to be true.

But it’s not.

He gave me a key fob, he’s getting Megan, and I’m being taken to the garage.

I can’t believe this is happening.

The elevator tilts and I curse myself for drinking too much. In my effort to soften Theo up to loosen his lips, I overindulged, and it might hinder my escape.

Stupid!

Desperation chases away the buzz. The elevator doors close, and I watch Gareth swipe his code on the panel, though I’m too unfocused to memorize it.

It won’t matter after tonight.

Freedom is so close I can taste it.

We reach the basement floor and I stumble in my heels as I rush to exit the elevator. Gareth has to grab both my shoulders to keep me from face-planting into a wall. A surge of panic rushes through me. Did he change his mind? Is he going to drag me off to some dark corner to have his way with me? Stifling a scream,I scramble out of his hold, putting distance between us. To my surprise, his features fall as though I’ve broken his heart.

Crap.

I can’t mess all this up now when freedom is literally steps away.

“Sorry,” I blurt out, rushing over to him. “Thank you for everything, Gareth. I mean it.” I hug his massive frame. “I won’t forget what you did for me.”

He squeezes me back. “Be careful, Ro. It’s dangerous out there.”

I manage to pull myself from his arms. He turns on his heel without another word, much to my relief. Once he disappears back into the elevators, I start for the garage door.

Wait.

He forgot to open it for me.

---