Page 116 of Mind Maze

Seth.

“Wait,” I grunt out, confusion muddling my mind. “You’re…You’re ‘S’?”

Dr. Portman scratches his reddish-brown beard and smiles sheepishly. “I knew you’d figure it out eventually.”

My mind feels as though someone is hacking it with a hatchet, trying to cleave it in half so all my deepest, darkest thoughts spill out for them to view.

“Your father wants to see you now that you’re awake and coherent,” Doc Junior says. “We’ll send him in and then we’ll be back to make sure you get your rest.”

I don’t want to rest.

I want out of this damn bed and away from these psychotic doctors.

The men leave me alone with my thoughts and frustrations. I try to get a good look at the restraints on my wrists but am unable to free myself. Dad walks in a few minutes later, witnessing me jerk and twist in my effort to escape.

“You’re going to hurt yourself, Son.”

I grit my teeth and force my body to relax. “Are you kidding me right now? I’m strapped to the bed. Whatever fucked-up stuff you’re allowing is hurting me.”

We share a weighted look. We’ve been here before. Back to the beginning of our relationship. When he adopted me and became my guardian. I’d accused him of much worse back then, but eventually understood it was in my best interest to get along with him and play his games so I could find Calista.

All these years—twelve long years—I’ve gone toe to toe with my father and the entire corrupt fleet of elites in an effort to get to my sister. It feels like it’s all been for nothing. I’ve lost my stronghold and am spinning out of control.

Dad pulls up a chair and sits beside my bed. He studies me with an intent, probing stare. “You were so close, Son. So close to getting what you wanted.”

Calista.

It’s what I’ve always wanted.

And he’s right. I was on the way to finding her until Romy showed up, wrecking everything.

“Your first misstep was your disloyalty to our family,” he states, frowning. “What you did…” He scrubs a palm over his face and shakes his head. “How could you and then lie to my face?”

I keep my expression even, refusing to give him anything.

“Gareth.” He pauses to let the name sink in. “I know you killed him.”

Guilt races in, chasing away my anger. Being in this weak position where I’m at my dad’s mercy, I’m reminded of being a teenage boy who’s in trouble. Not that I’m going to confess to it or anything. I still have a sliver of regret, though, because Gareth was a member of our fucked-up family.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I bite out. “He got drunk and fell. End of story.”

Dad pulls out his phone, messes with it for a second, and then holds it up for me to see. A security video, strategically placed to show the balcony of my room on the yacht, reveals a man who is obviously me hauling Gareth’s massive form to the railing. I watch as I struggle to get him upright. Without any hesitation, I toss him overboard, only staring for a moment into the water below before turning back.

I should have known Solomon would have that place crawling with cameras. He’s a sick fuck, but he’s also smart. What else did he uncover? Romy hiding in his office? Gareth raping Romy?

“I know, deep down inside of you, there’s an aching soul, Son.” He turns the video off and pockets his phone. “Why can’t you just ask for what you want? Why not truly join this family instead of playing these games all alone inside your head? I had such hope in your mental recovery, Caius.”

“Right,” I hiss, spittle flying his way. “I’ve always been a soldier for your empire, never family.”

“Untrue,” he says, shaking his head. “I saved you from that facility. Brought you into my home. Gave you siblings, a home, a life. And yet you always kept me at a distance, never fully trusting me.”

“You knew how much I wanted to find her, but you wouldn’t just go get her,” I accuse, voice turning ragged. “You told me you’d teach me. It was a mindfuck from the get-go, Orion.”

He flinches at hearing his name rather than Dad. “You want the girl so badly? Ask me to give her to you.”

It’s a trick.

I know it is.

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