Page 40 of Cup of Lies

“You help us get Kaitlyn first,” I say firmly. “She’s the priority. You owe us both that in the very least. We’ll see about the rest after.”

“I want Ava,” Vivienne says stubbornly. “Or no deal.”

It’s in this moment I really look at her. Her eyes are manic despite her matronly appearance. Though older and sporting some wrinkles, there’s a childlike naivety in her expression.

If she ran away from Huxley and his mental head games, there’s no telling what sort of psychological state she was in to begin with. Like me, she could have been traumatized and was being used as an experiment.

Unlike me, she turned into a monster because of it.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to make demands on Romy,” Eva says, voice icy. “You’ve done enough to her. When we spoke, you expressed you only wanted to help her.”

“I told you want you wanted to hear,” Vivienne bites back.

“It’s fine,” I blurt out. “We’ll help you get Ava. The woman is evil and deserves everything coming to her.”

Eva’s manicured eyebrows fly up. I give her a subtle nod, letting her know it’s fine. I can handle this woman now that I realize she’s batshit crazy.

I’m well versed on the subject of insanity.

“I’m glad you understand,” Vivienne says calmly.

Eva sighs, resigned. “Okay, so what’s the plan? We’re just three women. How are we going to get inside? They’ll stop us if we try. Maybe we should call the police.”

“No,” me and Vivienne say at once.

“Doc Junior runs that place now,” Vivienne explains.

“He’s the president’s son,” Eva says, catching on. “They’re not going to side with us, are they?”

“No,” I agree. “We have to be smart about gaining access.”

“I know that place like the back of my hand,” Vivienne says.

“You could draw me a map?” I ask, an idea formulating in my head. “Detailed and showing all the exits?”

My mind is clearing, but I certainly don’t know my way around that place. I’ll need whatever knowledge Vivienne remembers.

“I can,” she says, “but the nurses and doctors there are strong. They could easily overpower us. We can’t sneak in and steal Kaitlyn.”

I hate hearing her name on this serpent’s tongue. A shudder ripples through me. Rather than snapping out what’s in my head, I keep my cool.

“We’re not going to sneak in.” I rub at my stomach, fearful of what my plan involves. “I’m going back.”

Both women go silent, waiting for me to continue.

“If I willingly go back, pretending to be ashamed or remorseful of my actions, I’m sure I can convince Seth to bring me back home without any sort of retaliation. I just have to make sure he believes me. If not, he’s going to want to ‘fix’ me. I can’t let that happen.”

Eva hugs me tight. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’d be walking back into the lion’s den. I’m afraid you won’t come back out.”

“Kaitlyn is in that lion’s den. The only way to get her out is to go in,” I say softly. “I can do this. You just have to help get us out of there.”

“Will Seth be suspicious?” Eva asks. “That you’re suddenly compliant after running away?”

I consider her words and nod. “He will be. That’s why I need a few days to regain his trust. Three days. Give me three days and then come back for me.”

I’m going to have to become one heck of an actress to make Seth believe me, but it’s a challenge I’m up for. Anything to save Kaitlyn.

“There’s a house behind the facility. On the third day, after it gets dark, drive with no headlights and park. I’ll get Kaitlyn out of the house. We’ll make a run for it.”

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