Once Caitlin agreed to be his girlfriend, Will had a hundred different ways to make her fall in love with him. And when she was completely smitten, he would dump her without a second thought.

The mere thought of it was thrilling, sending a rush of adrenaline through him. "Freya will never agree to your terms!" Celia declared.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Will said, his understanding of human nature cynical and deep. "You have to realize, I'm the only one who can help her now. The Vance family is not to be trifled with. I've looked into it; that old woman wants Miss Gonzales dead. She's already had her thrown into solitary."

"And you, of all people, know what solitary confinement is like, don't you?"

Palmer Castle had its own solitary cells for dealing with spies. The mention of it made Celia's stomach churn with dread.

Solitary was worse than physical torture. The cells were filled with rats and venomous snakes. Even the most hardened criminals couldn't withstand it, let alone a young woman in her early twenties.

Will's smile never wavered. "Celia, I suggest you go and ask Miss Gonzales. What if... she agrees? Oh, wait, there is no 'what if." As long as Caitlin wanted to live, she would accept his condition.

He continued, "Not only can I get her released, but I can also help her get revenge. I can make the Vance family disappear from Valerium entirely. Trust me, Miss Gonzales won't be able to refuse an offer like that."

With that, Will stood up from his chair. "I've said my piece. The choice is yours."

He turned and walked away. As far as he was concerned, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. No matter how strong a woman was, in the end, she would always need a man to save her. Otherwise, why were fairy tales filled with princes rescuing princesses? Caitlin would surely yield. Unless, of course, she no longer wished to live.

A confident, predatory smile spread across Will's face.

Celia left Windsor Castle with a heavy heart. She knew Caitlin would never willingly accept Will's condition. But, just as Will had said, he was the only one who could save her now.

She had to go to the Royal Police headquarters. Even if Caitlin refused, she had to try and persuade her.

Taking a deep breath, Celia hailed a car and headed for the police station.

About half an hour later, she arrived. Thanks to Will's arrangements, she was granted a visit with Caitlin in the same glass-walled room as before.

"Freya! Freya, are you okay?" Celia's eyes turned red the moment she saw her.

Caitlin shook her head slightly, offering a small smile. "Don't cry. I'm fine. Celia, you got here faster than I expected."

In Caitlin's estimation, it would have taken Celia until the next day to find her.

Celia wiped her tears. "Solitary is no place for a normal person! Freya, I'm so sorry. I couldn't get you out."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. I know you did your best."

Before Caitlin could say more, Celia cut in. "Freya, I just went to see Will But that despicable man is taking advantage of the situation. He said if he's going to save you, you have to agree to his condition."

"What condition?" Caitlin asked, a flicker of interest in her eyes as she raised an eyebrow.

Celia took a breath. "He wants you to agree to be his girlfriend."

At that, Caitlin let out a soft, dismissive laugh. "Childish."

Caitlin's reaction was what Celia had expected. She leaned in, her hand gripping Caitlin's through a small opening in the glass. "Freya, maybe you should just agree to it! You have to pick your battles. Right now, Will is the only one who can clear your name and get you out of here You can just agree for now. Think of it as a temporary setback, like getting bitten by a stray dog! You can always dump him later. Freya, you know what they say - sometimes

you've gotta endure small losses to win big."

Will's methods were vile, but Caitlin had no other options. It was a matter of survival.

"Who said Will is the only one who can get me out?" Caitlin asked, her eyebrow arched.

"Who else is there?"

Caitlin didn't answer directly. Instead, she said, "Celia, take out your phone." "Okay."

Though confused, Celia immediately took out her phone.

Caitlin continued, "I'm going to give you a number. Save it."

Celia nodded. "No problem."

Drawing from memory, Caitlin recited a string of numbers flawlessly. "Once you've dialed it, ask

for a man named Zach. Tell him his

master has been locked up. Helf

know what to do from there.