Page 23 of Mind Maze

Help who?

I know who. The girls on the yacht. Kaitlyn. People like me. I’m being awakened to a harsh world. Darkness threads through every facet of my life and I’m just now beginning to see it.

A soft knock on the door has me shaking off my thoughts as I rise to my feet. I don’t have to be everyone’s savior. I could easily walk away from the Crownes and my own family, go back to college, and pretend all this crap doesn’t exist.

But it does exist.

I can’t ignore it now that I see it.

The person on the other side of the door knocks again before I can get to it. A quick peek through the peephole reveals Theo. I open the door and let him inside.

“You don’t have one of those apps to let yourself in?” I ask him, eyebrow arched in question.

He frowns, confusion on his face. “What?”

Another one of Caius’s secrets.

“Never mind. Please tell me that’s a pumpkin-pie-flavored caffeinated something,” I say, eyeballing the drink in his hands.

He smirks. “Well, I was told rather rudely by the barista that pumpkin-flavored anything is out of season, but she was convinced after I dropped a hundred-dollar bill on the counter.”

“You bribed the Starbucks girl just for me.” I grin at him and then bat my lashes. “My hero.”

His chuckle warms me and puts me at ease. Again, I’m reminded of the fact that Theo could have gotten me to like him the good old-fashioned way by asking me out on a real date. He didn’t have to kidnap me. It’s strange how I’ve come to actually like him despite what he’s done.

“The one with the ‘P’ on the side is yours,” he says as he sets the drink carrier down. “I got apple juice for Kait.”

His features darken as though a terrible thought crosses his mind. I can only guess it has something to do with what Caius told him about Vivienne. I’ve yet to reveal to Caius what Kaitlyntold me about Gareth. I’m still digesting the horrors of that confession. Not looking to share that information just yet.

“You brought food too?” I sip my drink and let out a pleased moan. “I love you, Theo Crowne.”

He sniggers as he passes me a white bag. Inside are a variety of donuts. The pink one with sprinkles must belong to Kaitlyn. I opt for a cinnamon twist instead.

“We’re still on for dinner,” I say around a mouthful of donut. “Can I convince him otherwise?”

Theo’s humor fades. “No. Don’t think so.”

“I can’t promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” I say curtly and then shove the rest of the delicious twist into my mouth.

“When are you ever on your best behavior?”

Point taken.

“Bastian will be there.” I frown before taking another sip of the piping hot liquid goodness. “And Megan.”

Theo has the sense to look ashamed. Pink tints his cheeks and he tears his gaze from mine. “Yeah.”

“What’s the point anymore, Theo?”

He scoots closer and wraps an arm around me. “We like you with us.”

“So I’m supposed to give up my life? College? Friends and family? Because you like to hang out with me?”

His body flinches. I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I’ve not had enough coffee or sleep for playing games.

“That’s fair,” he grumbles. “I guess… Honestly, I don’t know. That’s more Dad and Caius’s thing.”

My captivity.

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