Page 66 of Psyop Kings

Theo.

He’s worried about me.

Gareth may have sold me out, but Theo still seems to care.

“You can text her later,” Caius mutters. “I’m taking her home now.”

Caius hangs up the phone and then picks up my clutch from the garage floor. I didn’t even realize I’d dropped it. The past twenty minutes or so have been a whirlwind. He hands me my purse and then locates my missing shoes. I can’t help but fixate on his messy hair—hair that I ruffled with my fingers only moments ago—as he kneels before me to put on my shoes.

While still crouched down in front of me, Caius turns his gaze toward me. He studies me intently for a beat and then rises to his feet. “You did well, little girl. Better than I expected.”

My cheeks burn hot. I don’t know if he’s indicating I did well with keeping my mouth shut around Solomon or by letting him get me off. I sure as hell didn’t fight him off one bit. I’d damn near begged for him to do more than he did.

“He killed her,” I manage to croak out. “That sick asshole killed that girl.”

Caius doesn’t gaslight me like he’s done a thousand times before and I’m not told I didn’t see something when I most certainly did. Instead, I’m graciously given the truth.

“He did. Be lucky it wasn’t you.”

Caius hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me to my feet. I’m unsteady between the pill and drinks from earlier. I can’t help but fall against his solid chest. His grip around me tightens, not allowing me to collapse. I inhale his familiar, masculine scent, letting it comfort me.

“You did that to protect me?” I ask, voice stupidly hopeful.

“I did.”

“Why?”

Because he likes me?

“I did it because we don’t need problems from your father. I simply did my job.”

His words sting. I shouldn’t be shocked by them, but I am. Caius has been nothing but a drugging, kidnapping, molesting prick since the moment I met him. Did I really think his feelings for me changed and that he now cares about my well-being?

He doesn’t.

All he cares about is protecting the Crowne name.

I’m a pawn and he used me as one.

With his cruel words, though, he gave me the validation I need. He admits this relationship is a fraud and I’m not losing my mind.

“Take me home so I can shower your disgusting stench off my body,” I choke out, fighting tears. “Touch me like that again and I’ll cut your cock off.”

He snorts with dark amusement. “Perhaps next time I’ll let you die instead, hmm?”

“Death would be preferable to spending another second with you.”

I hate that we both know I’m lying.

Romy

Acold shower was exactly what I needed to get Caius’s scent off me. It also helped to bring clarity back to my mind. As I towel off, I replay the entire evening over and over again in my head.

Gareth likes me but is loyal to the Crownes because he easily betrayed me.

Theo likes me and can be swayed if I work him right.

Orion is still shrewd and terrifying.

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