Page 30 of Mind Maze

We both know he’s difficult. There’s nothing either of us can do to change him.

“I’ll live,” I say with faux enthusiasm. “Tell me Rosie made the cake.”

Eva and the cake are the only thing that motivated me to come back to this hellhole.

Oh, and also because my emotionless, fake boyfriend, who acts like sex with me was something regrettable, forced me to.

Caius

Ilost control.

I’d been so sure of myself, but seeing Theo kiss Romy and then finding her in nothing but a towel… Well, I forgot the plan and went rogue.

As a result, my mind is a mess. I’m exactly where I want to be—in a closed-door meeting with Dad and Gideon—but I can’t focus.

This is a problem.

Gideon knows people. Lots of them. And he’s also acquainted with President Huxley. There’s something here. I know it. I just need to drown out all thoughts of Romy—her scent, her taste, her hot little mewls of pleasure—and remember why I do what I do.

Learn everything.

Make moves in silence, behind the scenes.

Find Calista.

What about Romy?

She was a tool to be used to gain access to other avenues, and while that was achieved, she’s still nothing more than a distraction.

I’ve dug my grave, though.

Do I simply “break up” with her? Send her packing back to college where she can continue on with her life before Theo interrupted it?

That answer doesn’t feel right either. My gut tells me to hang on to her—that her usefulness will continue.

But how can I stay focused in the meantime?

I can barely keep from getting hard every time I’m reminded of what we did this morning. She’d felt so fucking good. It was a brief moment of true pleasure for me, something I rarely indulge in.

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen the old coot,” Dad says to Gideon. “How long has it been for you, Gid?”

Gideon darts his eyes my way, then returns them to my father. “About the same as you.”

Dad strokes his trimmed, white beard as if deep in thought. “I suppose we’re well overdue for a reunion. All three of us.”

Gideon’s cold features turn impossibly frosty. The vibe I’m getting is that neither of these men truly likes our president. If they were friends in the past, it’s long since been forgotten.

“I doubt he can accommodate so many guests last minute,” Gideon says blandly, though stupidly revealing his hand. “I mean, the Secret Service have security checks to do. Perhaps just the two of us should go.”

Dad, whose eagerness is always shown in the way he can’t seem to sit still, shakes his head, grinning. “Nonsense. We’ve known him from before he was someone so important. He’ll make the room for all our guests.” Then he leans forward, grin turning wolfish. “I’m sure he’d love to meet that pretty daughter of yours.”

The two men have a silent stare-off for what feels like an eternity. I don’t dare break the spell as I attempt to figure out what’s going on here. There’s a whole unspoken story I need to uncover.

“We had an argument. I’m not sure she’ll even want to attend,” Gideon says in a dismissive tone. “Rubbing elbows is hardly her thing. She’s just a college kid.”

She’s far from a kid.

She’s all woman.

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