Page 59 of Mind Maze

This time, he takes me over the edge. It’s an incredible feat to keep silent as I ride the wave of pleasure. His finger pushes deeper between my legs, rubbing me over the wet spot of my arousal. I’m still sore from our sex-fest, but if we were alone,I’d give it another go despite the pain there just to have that connection again.

He finally pulls out his hand and straightens my dress. Then, with eyes locked on mine, he crudely licks the tip of his finger. Heat floods through me, no doubt painting my skin bright crimson. I’m thankful no one can see in the dark car.

“You’re so gross,” I whisper, leaning my head on his shoulder.

He laughs again. God, how it warms my heart.

“There was nothing gross about what I just tasted.”

Kaitlyn and Theo are rapid-fire telling stupid knock-knock jokes that don’t even make sense, so they’re too busy to pay attention to what we’re doing.

His arm wraps around me, pulling me closer. I wish we didn’t have to go to this thing tonight. I’d much rather ride around the city glued to Caius’s side while we make out and play around with each other. I’m trying to imagine more filthy things he could do, but my mind keeps rewinding to those videos.

Do they want to kill the planet? What happens when the bad gas emissions finally do their worst work on the atmosphere? Will we all suffocate and die?

I need to discuss this with Bastian.

When I feel around Caius’s jacket pocket, looking for my phone, he grabs onto my wrist.

“No,” he says softly.

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.”

I bristle at his tone that reminds me of my father. My attempts to jerk my arm free prove futile. “Caius, give me my phone. I was watching something before—”

“I know.” His grip tightens and he doesn’t relent.

I’m irritated at his actions, but it quickly fades as I wonder what these cryptocurrency mining facilities look like. How easy would it be to get one shut down? Maybe I could bomb it.

Wait, what?

I get a cold, jittery feeling that has nothing to do with the bitter temperatures outside. Why am I so obsessed with those videos? Since when do I actually care about this stuff?

My mind wars with my own common sense and the seductive need to watch more.

“Maybe Dad will tell you all about the company one day. You deserve to know.”

Bastian’s words from earlier haunt me. The Crownes’ connection with my own family can’t be an innocent one. I’m in the trenches with the Crownes and know exactly what they get up to.

Was there a message Bastian was trying to send me?

Is our family somehow involved in damning the Earth’s atmosphere?

No.

That’s too… I don’t know,complicated.

It’s simpler than that.

It’s right in front of my face.

Think.

The more I attempt to wrap my head around what it is Dad does that’s so secretive, my mind loops back to the stupid video, the stupid cryptocurrency mining, and the stupid atmosphere.

Where does a girl buy a bomb anyway?

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