Page 117 of Mind Maze

Which girl?

Calista? Romy? Kaitlyn?

“Give her back to me,” I grit out. “There. I said it.”

“Who?” He smirks, knowing he’s forcing my hand. “Who are you asking for?”

I know her name slipped out on numerous occasions. He knows I want my sister, but he’s not stupid. He knows I want Romy too. I’m tired of these games. They never end.

“Calista,” I growl, giving him the name he clearly wants. “And Romy.”

Based on his growing smile, I know I’ve played right into his hand.

“Son, you’ve created quite a conundrum here. One of those is choosing the Crownes and finally aligning yourself with your father.” He pauses for dramatic effect. “The other is, well, the enemy.”

Enemy?

When I’d seen Dad and Gideon together last, they were very much on the same team. Romy is the enemy to him because it means I’m making my own decisions and no longer playing by his rules.

“Romy is not the enemy,” I mutter. “She’s my fiancée.”

At this, Dad snorts. “We both know that’s a bullshit farce.”

“You’re fucking with my head. I’m sick of it.”

He pats my hand as though to comfort me. I don’t want him to touch me.

“The rest of your life, Son, depends on what happens when we leave this room.”

I close my eyes and think of Romy. Beautiful and fiery in spirit. My chest aches at the idea of having her in my arms again.

But then there’s Calista.

I’d watched with horror as she was taken away from me—to him.

Who?

My brain struggles for a moment, dancing on the precipice of something. I think of a picture I’d seen back in the hotel room.

I need Romy’s sharp mind to put these pieces together since my brain seems to be struggling.

“I’m going to ask something, Son, and it’s going to be quite revealing to us both. The answer decides your future and what your true desires are. There’s only one answer. Not two.”

Dread fills me. I want to throw up.

“Don’t,” I rasp out.

“I have to.” He sighs as though this pains him when it so obviously entertains him instead. “Who will it be, Caius? Calista or Romy? You may only choose one.”

Hatred for this man crashes to the surface. In what world must I be forced to choose between my sister and my lover?

My survival in life thus far has revolved around making the correct decisions.

No answer feels right to me now.

I think of my sister and her doll with the messy blue-painted nails.

Calista needs me more than Romy.

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