Page 76 of Psyop Kings

“Theo told me something interesting,” Gareth says, voice colder than the air penetrating my parka and chilling my blood. “Caius is divulging all the family secrets, huh?”

I frown at his words. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right.”

“Seriously,” I say with a huff. “Explain what you mean. I’m not a mind reader.”

He’s quiet for several moments before he stops. Now that our footsteps aren’t making noise, the wind is audible as it whistles through the trees.

“You know where Caius came from.”

I shrug my shoulders. “So?”

“Why would he tell you that?” he demands, his thin patience becoming visible. “It’s not something we speak about. Our pasts.”

I discovered these things all on my own, but this confirms I was right. Since Gareth seems so bothered about Caius being the one to tell me, I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage.

Irritation prickles through me, sending heat to my cold extremities. “I don’t owe you answers, nor the truth. You’ve done nothing but lie to me.”

He tilts his head, ear to shoulder, and then the other side, the bones of his neck cracking audibly. It’s evident he’s having a hard time keeping his cool trapped behind his teddy bear persona. I’m learning he’s a grizzly beneath his handsome smile.

These men may be good at their games for the outside world, but they brought me into the heart oftheirworld. There’s no hiding one’s true self when you spend enough time around them.

I see you, Gareth Crowne.

“Family is everything to me,” Gareth growls. “Everything. And, lately, it feels like it’s slipping through my fingers.”

Is this another mind game?

Make me feel sorry for him? To what end?

“What does that have to do with me?” I demand, unable to tamper down my anger. “I’ve done nothing to you people.”

He studies me for a beat and then continues trekking along the trail. I have to hurry to keep up with his long strides. I’m not going to let him intimidate me. In case he forgot, I’m their prisoner. I’m not really Caius’s girlfriend.

“I think he’s forgetting his place in our family,” Gareth states with a grunt. “He’s done nothing but ruthlessly claw his way up to our father’s side, but when you show up, suddenly things change. Caius changes. Something’s going on.”

“And that’s my fault?” I ask, scoffing at him. “You’re seriously blaming me for your fucked-up family problems?”

He stops suddenly and whirls on me, his massive body towering over mine. Fear detonates in my chest. I have the sudden urge to run away like a small bunny desperately hoping to escape the jaws of a predator.

“Caius feels nothing,” Gareth explains slowly like I’m a stupid child. “I’ve been trying for years to get him to show some sort of emotion toward me.” His nostrils flare and a puff of white air escapes him, reminding me of a dragon about to spit fire. “With you, he’s different. I can’t put my finger on it, but I see it. I sense it. Under his icy exterior is a man who feels. For a stranger, no less. And yet, with his own brother, nothing.”

I’m beginning to get the picture now. Kind of like when my puzzle is about sixty percent done. I don’t need to look at the box any longer as it’s coming together quickly before my eyes. As it appears, I’m eager to piece it together as fast as I can.

Gareth craves the love of his big brother but never gets it.

Somehow, he wrongly believes Caius has given me this love that was supposed to be his. Are we even living on the same planet? What Caius gives me is frustration, intimidation, and confusion—not love. He doesn’t even like me. I’d go as far as tosay he resents having to babysit and pretend to be my boyfriend. If anything, I’m a wrench in Caius’s perfectly constructed plans.

“This sounds like the conversation needs to be had between you and Caius,” I tell him, side-stepping him so as not to be so close. “I’m not sure how any of this is my fault. Need I remind you that you people took me frommylife and planted me inyours. I didn’t inject myself into this family.You’rethe poison, not me.”

He snorts in derision. “That was a dream, remember? You’re Caius’s live-in girlfriend.”

I roll my eyes because this was the same man who was going to help me escape said “dream” several days ago and turned me over to the devil himself instead. The poor attempts to break my mind aren’t working this time.

“For such a big, strong man, you’re incredibly insecure,” I bite out. “Excuse me. I’m going back. We’re done talking about this.”

He grabs hold of the back of my parka before I can go far. I start to scream, but his leather-gloved hand covers my mouth and his flashlight drops into the snow, bathing us in near darkness. “We’re not done talking. I need to show you something so you understand my position.”

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