Page 81 of Psyop Kings

There are a lot of things I want but kissing him isn’t one of them.

“Megan,” I rush out. “I want to speak to Megan.”

His face remains impassive, so he must’ve anticipated that request. “Deal.”

I blink at him, shocked at his easy agreement. “Really?”

“Really.”

I don’t sense he’s lying. “When?”

He leans back and accepts new drinks from the woman, a glass of dark liquor for himself and wine for me. After handing me my glass, he finally answers my question.

“Let’s see how you do first. The moment we step off this plane, you’re in love with me. Understood? None of this bickering and arguing. Game face on, little girl.”

I’m really going to get to speak to Megan.

This is finally happening.

I just have to put on a convincing show.

He downs his glass in one gulp before setting it in his cupholder. Then he leans close to me again, stretching his arm over the back of my seat. His familiar scent tickles my nose.

“It’s imperative you don’t go off exploring like you did last night,” he murmurs close to my ear, a warning lacing his tone. “Like I said. With me or in our room. At all times.”

“Or with your brother?” I ask, testing his loyalty.

Instead of answering the question, he says, “Did I stutter?”

I want to elbow him in the gut for being such a prick, but the pilot comes on the speaker, asking us to strap in for our descent. Turning from Caius’s off-putting nearness, I stare out the round window into the gray clouds. Like the dutiful pretend boyfriend he is, he buckles me in, making sure to tighten the strap across my lap before doing the same for himself. If he can dress me and choose which panties I wear, I guess he can buckle my seat belt.

For the first time since I’ve been here, I actually feel hopeful. I’m going to talk to Megan. That means she’s alive and well. I’ll get answers from her. Maybe she’s somewhere safe and all I’ll need to do is worry about getting myself out of Caius’s grasp.

My stomach flips as we begin losing altitude. I get lost in watching the snow-covered homes, buildings, and trees come into view. It’s a dreary, blistery day in Pennsylvania.

The next hour goes by in a blur of landing, departing, and climbing into a rental vehicle. While we drive from the airport to the marina, I text back and forth with Theo.

Me: Just landed. Gloomy here.

Theo: Blizzard here. FML.

Me: Maybe you should go make a snowman with Kaitlyn. Will you keep an eye on her for me?

Theo: Did you get to meet her last night?

Me: Nah. I was essentially threatened for possibly taking her away from her daddy.

Theo: He’s very protective over his kids.

Kids?

Me: He has more?

Theo: Did. Emma died last year.

What the actual hell?

Me: How? How old was she? What happened?

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