Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
The Langston name comes to the rescue again.
“What was Caius’s part in that?”
Gareth laughs. “You’re his girlfriend. He clearly wanted to make that known.”
Their strange world of treating human beings like cattle to be traded or sold makes me sick to my stomach. To force the bile down, I, too, chug down my wine.
“If you’re my friend, help me find Megan and then give me a car to get out of here. These people are clearly dangerous. I just want to go home.”
Gareth scowls and looks away. “You’re not ever going to give that up, huh?”
“My freedom? Nope.”
“You love Caius, remember?”
I burst out laughing. “You people really think I’m someone you can easily brainwash. It’s not working. I know who I am.”
Gareth stiffens, gaze darting back to mine. “Careful.”
“Or what? Is creepy Solomon going to kidnap me and trap me in his lair? Honestly, I could use a change of scenery.”
“Ro,” Gareth clips out, hand gripping my thigh. “There are ears everywhere around here. Be mindful of your words. I can’t help you if you get yourself dragged off by the likes of Solomon.”
Somehow, I feel like he’s right. Solomon would be worse. There was something unhinged behind his sharp gaze.
“I just want to go home,” I whisper. “Please.”
Gareth’s expression pinches and I can tell he’s internally warring over something. Rather than let him talk himself out of it, I press on.
“I know you don’t want to hurt me,” I say softly, covering his hand with mine. “This will end badly for me because I’ll never succumb to these mind games.”
He’s silent, clearly still thinking it over.
“Just tell me where Megan’s at and get me a set of keys,” I urge. “I can hide them in my clutch. No one will ever know it was you.”
“I…” Gareth trails off and darts his gaze to me. “Ro, you know I can’t do that. We can’t risk it.”
The lie of me being Caius’s girlfriend has fallen to the ground, shattering at our feet. There’s a truth to his words.
“I know you’re a decent man.” I squeeze his hand, hoping to reach the thread of humanity inside him. “So do the decent thing. No one ever has to know.”
He swallows hard and then dips his head once. Was that a yes? My heart leaps into my throat and starts hammering double time when he lets go of my hand to stand. Without another word, he strides away from the sitting area, disappearing around a corner.
Am I to follow him?
Do I wait here?
Will he really go through with it?
While I attempt to get a hold on my racing thoughts, I scan the room of people. The penthouse is loft-like with its high ceilings and huge open floorplan. Stairs lead to an upper level where there are several closed doors. I haven’t yet seen Orion and wonder if he’s hiding until he makes his grand appearance.
Hopefully, I’ll be gone by then.
That man gives me the creeps.
I catch a few men curiously looking my way. It’s probably spreading that Caius is my “boyfriend,” and all these people who know the cold man are probably wondering how he snagged a young, vibrant woman such as myself. Surely they’re all asking themselves if he kidnapped me because there’s no way a Langston would shack up with one of these monsters.
If they all find out, word will get back to Dad, right?
It has to.
Dad runs with the wealthiest and most influential people on the planet. The king of media will certainly hear of this news soon.
If Gareth doesn’t come through, Dad and Bastian will be my backup plan. Maybe Gareth did me a favor introducing me to Solomon. This could be the door that allows for my mistake.
I’d rather get out of here on my own, not involving my father.
When I see Theo by a bar area, I jump to my feet. Eyes continue to watch my every move, but I ignore them in my effort to reach him.
“Hey,” I say, grinning at him. “Thought I’d never find you.”
Theo’s grin falls as he checks me out. He leans toward me and murmurs, “Damn, babe, you look fucking fine tonight.”
It’s stupid that his compliment actually makes me feel good. I mean, I know I look good. There were mirrors at Caius’s house. But since my own “boyfriend” failed to mention it, I didn’t really believe it. Theo’s raspy words confirmed it, though.
“Thanks.” I take the cocktail he hands me. “You don’t seem to be nursing a hangover.”
He snorts out a laugh. “Should’ve seen me this morning at my meeting. I thought Dad was going to thump me in the head. It was rough.”
“What did you have to meet with him about?”
“Nothing exciting. Some coming events. A new CUP acquisition…” He trails off and holds up his cocktail. “Cheers to getting wasted again!”