Page 74 of Mind Maze

Her arm is around me as she speaks to people who’ve crowded around us. If I were an outsider, I’d think she might be royalty with how the people are so drawn to her. This makes me want to protect her all the more.

“You still good?” I ask, lips near her ear.

She turns to look up at me with hooded eyes. “I am now.”

I get lost momentarily in her glittery blue eyes but force myself to look away. I need to stay focused and aware that someone is trying to send everyone here a blanket message. I’m not about to be a hapless victim.

Romy tucks a stray blond hair behind her ear and the light catches the obscenely large diamond, making it sparkle beautifully. Knowing she has something on her that ties her to me is comforting. It means that twats like the dimwit doctors and that douchebag actor will keep their distance.

I feel someone’s gaze on me and I turn to meet the dark stare of Doc Junior. Ahh, mission accomplished. I’ve pissed off the president’s son.

Did he really think he had a chance with a woman like Romy?

She’s an eleven and he’s a seven on a good day.

Frankly, he’s not good enough for her. I don’t care who his damn father is.

I flash him a smug grin that says,“She’s mine, bitch. Run along with your tail tucked between your legs.”

Fury transforms his face, making him even uglier than before. His idiot doctor friend shows up next to him, concern in his eyes.

You’re not getting that dance, asshole.

I twist Romy to face me again, eager to kiss her in front of them. The kiss I give her isn’t innocent at all. I plunge my tongue deep into her mouth, eliciting a moan of pleasure from her that wakes my cock up.

When I finally pull away, reveling in plump, still parted lips, and how fucking hot she is right now, I’m pleased to see the dimwit doctors have disappeared.

Good riddance.

Theo watches me too, but his expression is forlorn. I don’t like making him feel bad, flaunting my relationship in front ofhim, but it’s all necessary for this to work. He’ll get over it. The kid could get any woman he wants. He just can’t have mine.

“Excuse us,” I say to the people around us. “Thank you.”

I take hold of Romy’s hand, dragging her away from the onlookers, on a mission to speak to Theo. He stiffens when we approach.

“Congratulations,” he says, voice dejected. “You two must be so happy.”

Enough with the theatrics.

“Focus,” I growl in a low tone. “Call an Uber and get Kaitlyn out of here. They’re playing us.”

He nods, features turning serious. “Yeah, I see that now. Good call. I, uh, suppose this was all a distraction, huh?”

I don’t confirm or deny.

“Go back to the hotel, Theo.”

Romy hugs Theo and says, “Keep her safe.”

“I will.”

He lingers with his arms around her, hugging her for a little longer than my liking. Finally, he lets go before disappearing into the crowd. I grab Romy’s hand again and guide her away from the people to a hallway that leads to the restrooms.

I pull her phone out of my pocket and then turn on some Beethoven. “Put in an earbud and give me one.”

She fishes them out of her small wristlet. I can’t help but stare at the ring again on her finger. It looks good on her. I guessed her size perfectly.

Once we have Beethoven blasting and earbuds in place, I feel as though I can breathe. It tunes out whatever messaging they’ve been forcing on us the entire time.

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