Page 12 of Mind Maze

I close my eyes, not wanting to look at her anymore, and rest my head against the back of my recliner. The rhythmic thrum of the plane’s engine does nothing to soothe my erratically beating heart.

Maybe it’s just me.

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with Kaitlyn’s nanny.

Not. True.

Deep in my gut I feel it. I may not understand it, but I know it to be the absolute truth. When I’m alone with Caius, I’m going to probe him for answers.

Evidently, I have a lot to speak to Caius privately about.

Unless I figure it out on my own first.

The hushed elegance of the building lobby Dad lives in should bring fond memories, but it doesn’t. It’s cold and depressing. I have the overwhelming urge to turn on my heel and run back to the rental SUV. None of the staff here are overly friendly. Most everyone does their job in a “be seen but not heard” kind of way. It’s something I abhorred as a child. The only good times were when Bastian would make faces at me, mimicking the doorman’s stoic features. My giggles would echo in the cavernous space, never failing to land us in trouble with Dad.

I’m having trouble coming to terms with the fact my brother is with Megan. He’s a liar like the rest of them—using me like a tool. When I see him, I’m going to get answers.

“What’s your end game?” I ask Caius when we step onto the elevator. “With me, I mean.”

He cuts his eyes to me and waits for me to punch in the code for the penthouse level before answering. “To make you happy, love.”

I snort and roll my eyes. A jittery feeling has taken root in me and I can’t seem to shake it. The closer we get to my childhood home and father, the more nervous I am.

“They’re not here,” I remind him, indicating we’re the only two in the elevator. “You can be frank with me. We both know whatever spell you tried to put me under didn’t work.”

His lips twitch like he might smile, but he ultimately keeps it in check. “So I’m a witch now?”

“Caius.” I cross my arms over my chest and arch an eyebrow at him. “I don’t know my place here. Megan’s safe, with mybrother no less, so I don’t even know why I should continue to play along.”

Great.

Blab all your thoughts, why don’t you, Romy?

The elevator continues its ascent, infuriatingly slow as I remember. He scratches his freshly shaved jawline and grunts. “Honestly? I think I can use you.”

“Gee. Way to make a girl feel special.”

This time, he does laugh. It’s gritty like sand. I want to run it between my fingers, marveling over the uniqueness of it.

“You have questions,” he says smoothly. “I may have answers.”

Vague, but I’ll bite.

“And how am I useful to you?”

“You’re smart. Not easy to fool. And I like the sounds you make when you come.”

Thankfully, the elevator doors open on that note. I rush out, needing to get out of the suffocating space with him. His long strides quickly catch up to me and he stops me by hooking an arm around my front, pulling me against him. I hate how my body relaxes against his firm, warm one.

His nose nuzzles my hair over my ear and his breath tickling me there makes me shiver. “You’re a complication,” he murmurs, so softly I barely hear. “But you may also be an answer. I mean, you found her name. Your internet searches are thorough and impressive. I’m quite honestly in awe of how resourceful you can be. I can use this to my advantage.”

I want to ask him more questions and demand more answers, but Dad doesn’t like tardiness. Tonight, we agreed to meet with him and Eva for dinner. Just the four of us. The other Crownes and Vivienne are in a luxury hotel a few minutes up the road.

“All I heard was ‘me, me, me,’” I say, slipping out of his hold to walk to Dad’s front door. “I still don’t have any incentive to play along. Answers aren’t good enough.”

He sidles up beside me and threads his fingers with mine. It’s strange how familiar his hand feels to me. I don’t love how easily this man gets under my skin.

“I have the perfect incentive,” Caius whispers as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Play along and I won’t push for deeper investigation of my brother’s murder.”

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