Page 77 of Cup of Lies

Halo stalks past me and heads for one of the SUVs parked out front. Theo, even though I’m still upset with him, makes sure to open my car door and help me into the passenger seat before taking the one behind me.

I text Caius to let him know what’s happening, but he doesn’t respond. They must be focused on what they’re doing. The pains in my side are relentless, but at least now the AC is blasting me in the face.

“Airport?” Halo asks as he peels out of the driveway.

“Yep. I’m trying to figure out which hotel.”

We’re quiet as we drive. Not sure what we’re going to be dealing with when we get there, but it does need to be dealt with.

Vivienne has always been a wild card. She’s sick and twisted, and clearly not mentally well after what all she did with me and Kaitlyn. That’s why we have to get to her. If she somehow reveals our intentions or even who she is to me, and Ava manages to escape unscathed, all our hard work will be for nothing. There will be no element of surprise.

People like Gideon, Huxley, and Orion aren’t stupid. They’re going to find it suspicious that not only did me and Kaitlyn escape the facility, but Caius and LuLu left around the sametime. And even though Theo claims Orion doesn’t know anything, I’m not sure I believe that. It’s obvious we’ve managed to circumvent their mind warfare and found our way to each other.

However, they can’t be for sure. And they certainly don’t know we’ve been working with Vivienne and Theo or Koyn’s group, or that we were behind Seth’s and Solomon’s deaths.

I just don’t trust Vivienne. She’ll throw us under the bus just to get the satisfaction of seeing Ava bewildered. We can’t take those chances.

The drive from Sand Springs, where the compound is located, to the Tulsa International Airport is a quiet one, aside from Halo instructing Theo on where to find weapons stashed in the SUV.

I’ve texted a few more times to Vivienne from Eva’s phone I brought with me, only to be left on unread. Finally, as we get closer, she sends a pin along with a room number.

“Come on,” I mutter under my breath. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

I guide Halo to the hotel and we find a parking spot behind the building. When I go to get out, I’m hit with another pain, this one much sharper than the last.

I’m not going into labor.

I still have another week or two based on my calculations.

Forcing thoughts of giving birth out of my head, I follow after Halo slowly. Theo lingers by my side as if he’s ready to catch me if I start to fall. I hate him, but, like before when dealing with snares he set for me, I’m thankful to have him with me.

Why am I so soft when it comes to Theo?

Because he’s like a brother, and apparently, you like brothers who screw with your head.

I scowl just thinking about Bastian. The betrayal I feel cuts deep. I’ll never forgive him or our father.

Someone exits the building and Halo runs ahead to catch the door before it closes. The room number Vivienne told me is on the third floor. I’d rather take the elevator, but Halo seems to think the stairs are better. I grunt with each step, the pain worsening.

Please do not let me go into labor without Caius.

I can’t do this without him.

Tears prickle my eyes. He didn’t want to go on the recon mission, but Koyn made him. Koyn’s hospitality doesn’t come without strings. Caius is helping bring down these monsters and Koyn won’t let him sit any of this out.

We hear shouts before we make it to the room. Maybe we’re not too late.

“You don’t remember me,” Vivienne says, voice cold and filled with venom. “I remember everything about you.”

Ava lets loose a nervous laugh. “All I know is that you said you knew Dr. Huxley and had girls I might be interested in. Was this a setup? Are you a cop?”

Halo pounds on the door. “Let us in.”

“Who’s that?” Ava asks. “Is that the police?”

“Enough with the police,” Vivienne snaps. “It’s the cleanup crew.” Then, to us, she says, “Not done yet. Give me five.”

Halo curses under his breath.

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