Chapter Twenty-Five
Romy
“I t’s just me in here,” Solomon says. “If you’re looking for that sweet thing of yours, she’s not here, though it disappoints me to say so.”
Caius grunts. “She’s in our room getting ready. Just noticing your… interesting artwork .”
Solomon’s steps come close to me. I can see one of his pant legs through the crack in the cabinet doors. “It’s a picture of my daughter when she was only four. I miss that age. They’re so innocent and sweet then, you know?”
Caius changes the subject. “I wanted to meet with you personally to thank you for the invite. Dad’s getting older and has been passing more of his important relationship dealings over to me.”
“I’m someone to be passed on?” Solomon asks, a bite in his tone. “How special I feel. Perhaps I should invest in an endeavor that prioritizes me instead.”
The air is charged with something I can’t put my finger on. It’s as if they’re sizing each other up.
“If I’m frank,” Caius says lowly, “he hasn’t given me shit. I’m taking over. Little by little. The old man isn’t what he used to be.”
Solomon is quiet for a moment. “Interesting. What’s more interesting is your willingness to divulge this information. You know my loyalties lie with your father. I’ve known him long before you were ever brought into the picture.”
“Trust me. I’m well aware of how this club works. However, I’m an opportunist who sees a bigger picture. Dad’s not in that big picture. He’s getting sloppy lately.”
“I see.”
“I believe you do see. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have invited me this weekend on your yacht. You’re seeing the forest through the trees. I’m ascending into his place of power more quickly than either of us expected. There’s no stopping it now.”
“Orion won’t step aside,” Solomon interjects. “He’s ruthless. Even if he’s slipping, he won’t ever let go.”
“Leave that to me,” Caius assures him. “I’ve already begun the programming.”
Programming?
Is he trying to psyop his own dad like he’s been doing to me this whole time?
“Can you truly teach an old dog new tricks?” Solomon asks. “Orion’s been the same for decades. Doesn’t seem the type to succumb to the ol’ CUP trickery, especially considering he developed the playbook.”
Caius snorts in derision. “He took case studies of MK Ultra, hypnotization, and other mind control tactics to create CUP, yes, but he’s far from a master of it.”
All the things he speaks of are ones I’d read up on for our class project. The irony isn’t lost on me. I’m just thankful I have the knowledge to keep up with this conversation.
“And you are the master?” Solomon asks, sounding unconvinced.
“My ways have worked so far.”
“If that were so, your program would’ve worked on Michael Greer’s purchase. Instead, we’re headed to a shipping container facility on this very lake to fetch her replacement.”
Caius is silent, letting his words sink in before he speaks again. “I’m aware that there have been glitches in the programming. Roger Wade is a problem.”
“Something we both can agree on,” Solomon grumbles.
“Where my ways differ from that of my father’s,” Caius begins, “is that they go beyond the brainwashing of sex toys. It goes deeper. I’ve been able to get my hands on classified studies from China, Russia, and our own government that use certain techniques of mind control to turn normal men into singularly focused killing machine super soldiers. Beyond that, my deep dive into the dark web and assistance with AI, I’ve unlocked more secrets.”
“You’ve piqued my interest,” Solomon says, an eagerness in his voice. “I suppose my investments have been making headway after all.”
“What if you could get inside the minds of the most powerful people? Roger Wade, for instance. He’s a threat to our program and brings unnecessary attention to other elites. Making him go away, though, is nearly impossible.”
“No one is untouchable,” Solomon states. “It’s not impossible, but I agree it’s going to be extraordinarily difficult.”
“How would you like to trigger him into doing something heinous in front of the entire world? A spoken word or a visual or even a smell could be the catalyst. I’ve been developing these triggers.” Caius stops to let his words sink in. “We’re not the only ones with this capability, but I think we are the only ones with the availability of thousands of subjects at our disposal, never-ending pockets of money, and zero government red tape to contend with.”
Solomon chuckles. “You’re like Orion, despite not being blood related, but you’re also more. I see it in your eyes. What’s your end game?”
Yeah, what is your end game, Caius Crowne?
“A world without wars, poverty, street crime.”
“How noble,” Solomon says with a sneer. “I don’t believe it.”
Neither do I.
“Does it matter as long as we’re on the same page, Solomon?”
“I suppose it doesn’t.” Another laugh from Solomon. “Very well. We’ll meet after this trip again to discuss the logistics more in depth. Now on to something far more enjoyable.”
“What’s that?”
“Romy.”
My entire body freezes at his use of my name.
“What about her?” Caius asks coolly.
“We’re going to be playing a little bit before dinner,” Solomon explains. “I thought it’d be fun to have Romy join. It’d be nice to see how far your loyalties lie. I don’t have to touch her, but I’d sure like to watch you fuck her.”
Is he insane?
Caius snorts. “Unless you’re into vomit, not a good idea.”
“What does that mean?” Solomon asks, a hint of anger in his tone.
“Not you,” Caius says smoothly. “It’s this yacht. Before coming up here, she was green and hugging the toilet, not getting ready as I’d mentioned. I didn’t consider what the motion of the vessel would do to a newly pregnant woman.”
Pregnant?
What a liar.
Why is he lying?
“Pity,” Solomon says, disappointment in his tone, not giving up for some reason that he’d seen me earlier. “I’d rather not smell puke while balls deep. Talk about an erection killer. Plus, a man has standards.”
They both chuckle.
Disgusting.
“You’ll stay and watch the show, though?” Solomon asks.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
The desk chair creaks as Solomon stands. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to grab the girl and tell Michael to make his way back here.”
His footsteps fade away and the room grows deathly quiet. Is Caius still in here? I pick up on the soft sound of footsteps approaching. The chair squeaks again, but this time, Caius’s scent seeps into the cabinet with me.
The yacht pulls hard to one side, and I wonder if I really will become seasick. Light bursts in my vision when the cabinet door flings open. A quick look tells me Caius is inspecting Solomon’s laptop and wasn’t the one responsible for opening the door. We tilt hard in the other direction and the cabinet slams shut. The sound is so loud, I can’t help but squeak out in surprise.
Crap.
This time when the cabinet opens, it’s not because of the choppy waters. Caius, turned in the chair and leaning forward, grabs hold of my arm and tugs me onto the floor in front of him.
“What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Doing. Here?”
The blazing fury in his eyes is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s beyond terrifying. I feel like he’s barely refraining from choking the life out of me.
“I can explain,” I rush out. “I was exploring and ended up here. I got scared and—”
“Stupid little girl,” he snarls, tightening his grip on my arm. “This was reckless as fuck. You need to get your ass back to our room now. Don’t let him see you.”
Tears well in my eyes. I’m suddenly fear-stricken and unsure if I’m able to escape this room undetected.
Footsteps can be heard once again and a flash of panic gleams in Caius’s dark eyes. He forcefully shoves me back into the cabinet, uncaring that he’s bruising my arm and knocking my head against the wood. Before he closes the door, he points a finger in my face.
“Do not fuck this up for me,” he warns, malevolence dripping from his words. “Not only will you ruin everything, you’re going to get yourself killed.”
With those words, he quietly closes the door, rights the chair, snaps the laptop closed, and walks across the room. The leather of his chair makes a sound just as a person enters the room.
“Caius Crowne,” Michael says, voice calmer than before. “Always a pleasure.”
“Likewise,” Caius agrees with zero emotion. “How are the kids?”
Kids?
This disgusting man has children?
“Joey joined the Marines last month. He’s gone for who knows how long,” Michael tells him. “Heidi is still away at MIT.”
“They’re doing okay since Margie died?”
“The kids stay distracted. It’s good for them. As for me.” Michael sighs. “A man gets lonely. I thought I’d fixed that problem, but alas, I have not.”
While they have their small talk, I replay everything I learned about Caius. He’s into some sort of mind control. I mean, I knew that because they attempted it on me, but I didn’t understand the level at which this family plays.
Why couldn’t they get inside my head?
Am I considered a failure too?
Before I can figure anything out, I hear Solomon announce his arrival.
“Boys, I have a sweet little appetizer. Who’s hungry?”
I slowly move, trying to catch a peek through the crack of the doors without accidentally knocking them open. Through the thin slit, I catch movement. Legs. Solomon’s and a bare, much thinner set.
I’m going to be sick.
I hear a smack and then the girl crumples to the ground.
Is he going to kill her?
“Something to make her behave?” Solomon asks.
“Not on me,” Caius says in an icy tone. “Do I need to get something?”
Michael chimes in, “The bitch doesn’t deserve to numb the pain. I want to watch her suffer.”
“Ask and you shall receive,” Solomon hisses as he unbuckles his belt. “You want to do the honors?”
“I want to watch,” Michael growls.
“Need lube?” Solomon asks.
“No. I’m not coming on my own hand and I’m not letting her clean it up either. I’ll hold out until my new girl is ready.”
“Suit yourself.”
Solomon begins whaling on her with the belt. The poor girl shrieks and sobs, but no one comes to her aid. I want to crawl out of this cabinet, but fear has me immobilized. I’m not her savior. I’m a captive too. If I out myself, I’m not sure I won’t meet the same fate. Disgust roils in my gut. I hate that I can’t force myself to try to stop it. I’m a coward.
Tears stream down my cheeks as I hold back my own sobs. The girl continues to yelp and cry out, though she seems like she’s slurring now.
“Looks like Ava already sauced her up,” Solomon states, breathing heavily. “My apologies. I didn’t know.”
“I’ll take that lube after all,” Michael says lowly. “Seems my cock can’t wait.”
Solomon laughs, but Caius remains completely silent. I hear the uncapping of a bottle and then the juicy sounds of someone slicking up their cock.
“You want some, Sol?” Michael asks Solomon.
“Nah,” Solomon says, still huffing. “I prefer to go in with nothing but a little spit. They’re always so tight their first time up the ass. It only hurts the both of us for a minute or so and then the blood makes everything all better.”
Oh God.
I really am going to throw up.
The next few minutes are nothing but grunting, flesh slapping, and the quiet sobs of a high but still in agony girl. Michael comes first, moaning loudly. This must turn Solomon on because he starts making louder sounds and more quickly. The smacking, juicy sounds have bile stinging my throat.
Don’t puke, Romy.
Solomon groans and then a body thumps hard on the floor. He chuckles as he stands. All I can see through the crack now is a bare ass smeared with blood. I shakily swipe away another tear.
“Going so soon?” Solomon asks. “You’re a man of incredible self-control to sit there and not touch yourself.”
Caius finally speaks. “I need to relieve some steam but not here. I have a sick girl back in my room I can stick my dick into. Plus, she has tits. I prefer them with tits.”
“The boy’s in love,” Solomon taunts. “See you at dinner.”
Caius leaves me alone with these two monsters, praying they won’t find me and do the same as they did with the girl.
Please don’t make me listen to that again.
Please.