Page 78 of Reign of Psychos

“Back to Blackwood?” She gripped Cassian’s arms, her skin stretched taught over sharp cheekbones.

“No, not there. You’re coming with me. We’re staying at Claridges.”

“I don’t want to see your father.”

“Me neither.” He stood back and looked at Stone. “The paperwork?”

“Of course.” Stone pulled out a bunch of documents and a pen. He handed them to Cassian, who scanned the contents and then signed them.

“Who’s she?” Ophelia asked as she caught sight of me stood next to Kyril. For the first time since we arrived, I saw a spark of something intelligent in her blue eyes.

Cassian gestured at me to come over and I approached cautiously, not wanting to intrude on their mommy-son bondingmoment. I only came to support Cassian. And also make sure Lucian didn’t try any bullshit. I’d packed a small handgun, just in case.

“Mom, this is Thea. I told you about her at Christmas.”

Ophelia frowned. “You did?”

“Yes. She’s my girlfriend. The woman I love.”

I watched as his words settled in Ophelia’s mind. The furrows across her brow smoothed, and she smiled. A genuine smile full of warmth.

“Hello, Thea. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hi, Mrs. Forsyth,” I said, awkwardly holding out my hand. Social introductions were not my strong point. Ophelia took my hand and leaned in to press a dry kiss on my cheek. She smelled of violets and sickness. It was a slightly nauseating combination, but I swallowed my discomfort and pasted what I hoped looked like a pleasant daughter-in-law kind of smile on my face.

“Welcome to our family, darling girl.”

“Um, thank you.”

Cassian smiled at me and then led his mother out of the room.

“She loves you,” Kyril whispered in my ear as his hand rested on my butt. “Told you she would.”

38

Cassian

Mom refused to let go of my hand. I sat next to her in the back seat of the car, with Thea to my left as the driver crawled through the London traffic. It wasn’t until the hospital was 30 minutes behind us that she finally spoke.

“I need to go back to Blackwood.”

That was a terrible idea. Dad would likely be there. Kyril’s gaze caught mine in the rearview mirror. He quietly shook his head, telling me that he, too, thought it was a shit idea to poke the bear.

“Dad will be home. It’s too dangerous.”

Dad was like a cornered animal right now. The Prime Minister had sacked him pending the police investigation, and since the news broke about his involvement in the shady goings on at the Highgate Clinic, other people had come forward accusing him of various crimes.

I confess I may have had something to do with that, thanks to all the illegal shit Milo had uncovered. I just hoped my mother didn’t get caught in the fallout. It seemed unlikely given herprecarious mental health, but who knew what my father would do with his back to the wall?

It was possible he’d claim I was involved in his activities, but I’d cross that bridge when I came to it. For now, my only concern was getting my mother to a safe location. Preferably overseas.

“Cassian, please. There are things I need from the house.”

“What things? We can buy anything you want once we get to the hotel.”

“Photographs. Your grandmother’s jewelry, and a few other personal things I hid from him.”

“I’ll go tomorrow and fetch them for you.”

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