Page 80 of Psyop Kings

Breathe, Romy.

Get control over your emotions.

You can’t think when you’re a mess.

I inspect the injection site. Indeed, a purple bruise forms on my pale flesh. One day I’m going to find his drug stash and paybacks are going to be hell for the eldest Crowne. Images of stabbing him with one of his own needles or cramming unknown drugs down his throat bring a satisfying smirk to my face. A girl can dream.

Now that I’ve regrouped, I lift my chin and leave the bathroom. I catch the tail end of something Gareth is saying.

“…think it’s strange Solomon invited us? We aren’t usually allowed to play in his sandbox.”

When Gareth sees me, his lips press together, cutting off whatever else he was going to say. Caius looks over his shoulder at me and then holds up a hair tie.

“Do something about that before we land,” he says, voice cold. “We should be there soon.”

Gritting my teeth, I make my way over to him and snatch it from his grip. He watches me with an arched eyebrow as I angrily pull my hair back. Rather than sitting beside him or Gareth, for that matter, I choose a seat closer to the cockpit. The same woman from before appears with a small tray of snacks.

“Thanks,” I say to her, withholding the urge to snap at her for no good reason other than I hate Caius.

My pockets are empty, and I wonder where my phone is. I refuse to ask Caius, instead opting to gorge myself on dried cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, chocolate-covered peanuts, and miniature pretzels. The stewardess brings me a glass of wine this time that earns a smile from me.

Seconds later, Caius takes the seat next to me and offers me my phone. How does he always seem to know what I’m thinking? I snatch it from him and check the only message, which is from Theo.

Theo: Have fun on your trip. I wish I could have gone too.

“He’s too reckless to go,” Caius says after reading the text. “I can’t have him mess this up for me.”

It’s almost as if Caius is looking forward to this trip with Solomon the creep.

“Why do you want it to be a success?” I ask as I hold up my empty glass to show the woman I need more.

He doesn’t reply at first and then murmurs, “I’ve been trying to earn Solomon’s trust for quite some time now. I think he knows one day I’ll take over for my father, hence the olive branch being offered my way.”

“He’s a bad guy, though,” I mutter, remembering the callous way he handled the body of that girl.

Caius stiffens almost imperceptibly. “Aren’t we all? It’s the company we Crownes keep.”

Do I hear a hint of sarcasm?

Is it because I call them all monsters and he’s confirming he’s one?

“At least prepare me on what to expect,” I say in exasperation. “You say Theo is too reckless, yet you’re bringing me—your captive who wants nothing more than to escape.”

Caius places his hand on my thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze that sends buzzing electricity through me. “Not captive. Girlfriend. Remember?”

“Your constant gaslighting is exhausting,” I say with a yawn. “Tell me. I don’t want to find myself in that creep’s clutches. You saw the way he looked at me.”

I note that Caius doesn’t remove his hand from my leg. I wonder why I don’t fling it off. It’s offering a modicum of comfort as my anxiety spikes the closer we get to our destination.

“As long as you stay near me or in your room, you’ll be fine.”

“How can you be sure I’ll play along?” I ask, meeting his gaze. “What if I tell everyone you’ve taken me?”

He leans closer, so close his nose nearly brushes mine and I can smell a hint of bourbon on his lips. “There are far worse monsters than me, little girl, and many will be on that yacht with us.”

I shiver at his insinuation. Not that I didn’t know this already. It sucks having it confirmed, though.

“How about this,” he says, dark eyes boring into me. “If you play along, I’ll finally give you something you desperately want.” He drops his gaze to my mouth and his lips quirk almost as if he might break into a grin. He doesn’t. “Something you really, really want.”

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