Page 85 of Mind Maze

He stares at me for a long beat, eyebrows pinched together like he might argue, but eventually nods. “Can’t promise I won’t peek.”

Though his words tease, he does close his eyes. I hurry off the bed, streak across the room to my suitcase, and snag some pajamas. When I pass him to make it to the bathroom, his eyes are still closed.

Thank goodness.

After a quick pee, brushing of my fuzzy teeth, and a swipe of a cold washcloth over some crusty places leftover from last night, I throw on my sleep shorts and T-shirt, and exit the bathroom. He’s sitting against the headboard, sipping away on his iced coffee. I mimic him on the other side of the bed, but on top of the covers this time. He hands me a drink that looks like his.

“Who’d you have to bribe this time?” I ask, pleased when I take a sip and it’s pumpkin-flavored despite Christmas looming on us.

“Same girl. I think she has the hots for me. Gave me a two-for-one.” He holds up his half-gone drink. “Pumpkin isn’t my favorite, but it was free.”

“I bet you tipped a lot more than what they both would’ve cost if you had to pay for yours too.”

He chuckles. “You know me well.”

I relax, thankful he brought me my favorite. “So last night sucked.”

“You think?” He shakes his head. “Dad filled me in on why Caius was beat all to hell. Seems like he did a worse number on your brother.”

“I need to call my father and check to see how he’s doing,” I say with reluctance. “Even though I am disgusted with Bastian right now.”

“I’ll save you the call,” he says. “Dad spoke to Gideon. They kept Bastian overnight. He was pretty concussed. Since he was having trouble staying coherent, they wanted to observe him. Gideon said he’ll be leaving later this morning.” He motions to my head. “How are you? Dad said you told them Bastian slammed you against the wall, which started all this with my brother.”

“Sore, but I’ll survive. Speaking of your brother. Where is he?”

“Not sure. Wasn’t here when I showed up. Kaitlyn hadn’t seen him either.”

I wait for him to bring up the reason for their hasty exit last night, but he doesn’t mention it. As I sip my drink, I ask a question that’s been plaguing me.

“What was Caius like? When you were a kid?”

Theo chuckles. “Just like now. But maybe not as effortlessly cool. Not like cool, but more like Ice Man. Back then, you could see the struggle within him. It’s why I said he has demons. Guess you saw them firsthand last night.”

I’ve seen them a couple of times.

He’d gone into a similar rage with Gareth and he’s dead now. That’s a secret I’ll take to my grave.

“So yesterday, while waiting for our Uber,” Theo says, body tensing, “Kaitlyn told me some stuff.”

“Oh yeah?”

“She said she already told you.” He sets his drink down on the bedside table and rubs at his temple. “Shit’s fucked up, babe.”

I barely refrain from recoiling at his pet name for me. At one time, I’d used his attraction toward me and even encouraged it because I thought it could help me. Now I wonder how I can backtrack. I think a hard conversation is in our near future. Rather than dealing with it now, I nod sadly.

“Horrible,” I agree. “Vivienne did the same with me, too.”

“I’m sorry. That’s…” He huffs in anger. “I don’t understand sick fucks like that.”

“I don’t either.”

“She also said…”

“What?” I ask, voice small. I know. I don’t know that I want to hear it again, though.

“Gareth. He, uh, fuck.” He buries his face in his hands. “What kind of perverted freak does that? I loved him, babe. I looked up to him. Now his death is tainted. I’m fucking glad he’s dead because if he wasn’t, I might’ve put a bullet hole in his dick before putting a matching one in his forehead.”

“She’s safe now,” I assure him, gently touching his arm. “All we can do now is support her going forward. She’s counting on us to keep her safe.”

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