Page 59 of Cup of Lies

Since I trust Caius, I relax. Sunshine won’t hurt Kaitlyn, or probably not even Nees for that matter, but I’m kind of glad she’s giving him hell. Especially since I don’t know this Nees guy.

I have so many questions floating around in my head right now. For one, I didn’t even know Caius had friends aside from his family. There’s so much we need to talk about. It’s exhausting just thinking about it.

“I called Cove,” a man calls out to us, stopping to curse at Sunshine. “He’s going to have the Suburban ready. I’ll drop you guys off with him and then grab the truck.”

“Mommy!” Kaitlyn screams.

“I’m here, baby,” I cry out. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.”

We finally reach them and Kaitlyn claws at the man holding her to reach for me. I stretch my hand to take hers. She immediately settles at my touch.

“He k-killed my daddy,” she says, sobbing. “Daddy is dead.”

My heart breaks for her. They jumbled her poor mind so badly. Will we ever get it sorted back out?

“Shhh,” I coo, “it’s okay. There are some things I have to tell you about Daddy. Bad things. Trust me that we are safe with these men, okay?”

She nods tearfully. “Okay, Mommy.”

Caius is stiff. I’m not sure if it’s because he realizes he’s the villain in her story or that she thinks I’m her mother. Eitherway, he doesn’t say a word. I kiss the side of his neck, silently promising him, too, that everything is going to be okay.

I don’t even consider lying to Kaitlyn. It’s not fair. I was lied to at her age and forced to believe I made up stories about the woman who abused me—my own mother. She deserves the truth. That we were taken captive. They not only took us, but they took our brains, thoughts, and emotions too. Her anger is directed in the wrong direction, but I’ll fix that once things settle.

“Am I too heavy?” I ask as we traipse through the woods.

Caius snorts. “Even if you were, no one would be able to pry you from my arms. I’m not letting you go, love.”

When he calls me love, it hits differently.

It feels right.

After what feels like an endless walk, we emerge from some trees and a small town is visible. I recognize the grocery store Seth would take me to. Near there is a dinky motel.

“Are we staying there?” I ask, yawning so hard my eyes water.

“No. We’re going back to Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma?

I’m guessing he knows Nees and Cove from there. I have so many questions, but I’m too tired to ask any of them.

“Okay, Cai.”

The SUV Nees mentioned waits by a curb, idling. A young man with wispy blond hair jumps out to open the door to the back for us. Caius sets me to my feet so I can climb into the vehicle. Kaitlyn clings to me as soon as I sit beside her. Both of us start to cry. Sunshine has wedged herself between our legs and the driver’s side seat, panting heavily, but far less anxious than earlier.

“I’m going to sit up front with Cove,” Caius tells me. “You two okay back here?”

I give him a brave nod. He steals a quick kiss and then closes the door. Seconds later, with Cove driving and Caius beside him, he takes off out of the parking lot.

“Won’t Dragon shit his pants if you disappear?” Caius asks Cove in a whispered voice.

“He’ll catch up to me. He always does.”

“The bad man has a dragon?” Kaitlyn whispers. “Is he scary?”

Since Caius doesn’t seem worried, I shake my head. “I think the dragon is Caius’s friend. He’s not a bad man, sweetheart.”

I know it’s going to take a lot to convince her otherwise. She rests her small hand on my belly and I can’t help but smile. Until I realize I haven’t felt the baby move in a day or two.

---