Page 63 of Hayes
My eyes widen, and my cheeks pink, but Hayes doesn’t react at all.
He just told me he was their whore. He told me all about how he’s paraded about to fuck women to gain their secrets. He said he always succeeds.
My heart shutters in my chest.
Was it all a game?
Was none of it real?
Did he not really love me?
Was he just trying to seduce me because Titus told him to?
Is he loyal to the Retribution Kings? To Titus?
I have no idea what’s true and what’s an act.
Titus’s face falls slightly, seemingly feeling sorry for me. Great.
I clear my throat and shake off my emotions, becoming as emotionless as Hayes. I will not let either of these men see me. I may be losing whatever game these two are playing, but it doesn’t mean I won’t find a way to win in the end.
Titus nods at me with a soft smile. “I knew you were strong. I knew I chose well. I just hope you’ll agree to choose me in return.”
My stomach drops as I suspect what he’s asking me.
“And what exactly does choosing you mean?”
“Marrying me,” Titus says.
Chapter 26
Lilith
It’s been three weeks since I learned the truth. Three weeks since Titus took me from Hayes and brought me to his mansion, my gilded cage. Three weeks since I’ve seen Hayes.
Still, I don’t have any more answers than I did three weeks ago.
I’m losing my mind waiting for answers, waiting for Hayes to come kidnap me and tell me he was fooling Titus, not me. But with every day that passes, that hope begins to vanish.
I’m a prisoner here, although no one has said it. No one has told me I can’t leave, and yet, I haven’t stepped foot beyond the back terrace in three weeks. Bodyguards constantly follow me, and I’m never left alone.
On the second day, Gage was one of my guards. I thought that was the day I would finally get answers. But Gage managed to not speak a single word to me during his entire twelve-hour shift.
I expected Hayes to come that night. Maybe Gage was guarding me so he could tell Hayes how to get me out. But he didn’t come.
I’m on my own.
The only real human interaction I have is dinner with Titus every night. And while he’s tried to engage me in polite conversation, he hasn’t offered any more details about Hayes. He hasn’t spoken of us getting married. He hasn’t even made a move on me. Not a hug, a kiss, an inappropriate touch—nothing.
I’m stuck in this perpetual loop of doing nothing, waiting for answers and getting none, and not knowing what my future holds. I’m not even sure if Titus still wants to marry me. Maybe after getting to know me, he regrets his choice. Or maybe he thinks I’ll slit his throat in his sleep.
I haven’t made a violent move toward anyone. I’ve been biding my time, not sure if Hayes revealed my fighting skills to them or not. If he didn’t, then surprise is on my side. I’ve waited long enough for Hayes, so it’s up to me. I’m going to figure out the truth one way or another, even if I end up dead for it.
I walk down the long hallway with two guards in front of me and two behind me, like I’m in some maximum security prison. Titus knows, I realize. He knows I’m a threat, and I could escape if I wanted to. That’s the only explanation for so many men guarding me—it’s about keeping me from attacking them.
Hayes told him every one of my secrets. He truly betrayed me in every way possible.
I scowl as I stomp to the dining room, wearing a long floral sundress. It’s far too cheery for me, but it is good for one thing: concealing weapons.
