Page 91 of Locked in Wonderland

He blinked. “Right. I forgot.”

“You forgot,” I repeated, making no effort to keep the skepticism from my voice. Plucking at the front of the white shirt, I added, “You didn’t notice I spend every day dressed like I have a board meeting to attend despite never leaving these four walls? Surely you own something else. At your actual home, I mean. Not your fuck palace.“

One eyebrow arched. “My what?”

“You heard.”

Instead of responding, he sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “What’s this really about? Because I find it difficult to believe you’re this upset about your wardrobe when the only person who sees you is me.”

The irritating thing was that he was right. This wasn’t about the clothes. The clothes had simply been the easiest thing to complain about.

“I want to go home. It’s been days.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Are you?”

“Yes. It’s not that easy.”

“You keep saying that. How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“You think I’m lying to you?”

There was an edge to Nico’s voice that warned me not to push it too far. I settled for a shrug. Neither agreement nor denial.

Nico sighed. “There are only two routes out of Wonderland. The main entrance, which is monitored at all times, and the way you came in with—”

“Percy and Lola,” I finished for him.

“Exactly.”

“And what would they do if I turned up there?” I asked.

“They’d call the Harts.” Not a second’s hesitation. “They’re two of Wonderland’s most trusted employees. It’s why they get away with so much.”

“And what would the Harts do with me?”

“You don’t want to find out.”

“Why?”

“Because whatever they did wouldn’t be pleasant.”

I snorted. “And these are the people you’re happy to work for.”

“It’s complicated.”

“How?”

But Nico was already moving on. “Even if I somehow got you past Percy and Lola, then what? The only way off this island is by boat.” He collected the plates and carried them over to the sink. “Unless you’ve secretly been training for the Olympic swimming team.”

“I haven’t.” I watched him rinse the plate. I should offer to help, but I wasn’t in the mood. “Why won’t you ever talk about the Harts?”

His shoulders stiffened. Only for a second, but it was long enough. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Every time I bring them up, you shut down. I asked why working for them was complicated, and you changed the subject.”

“I didn’t change the subject.”