Page 59 of Bound By Thorns

“What?” I snapped, looking up, irritable and anxious.

“You like her, jackass,” Zarek stated plainly, as if he was revealing the secret of the universe that I hadn’t already figured out. Yes, I liked her. In every damn way.

I rolled my eyes, partly out of frustration with myself, which Zarek and Leora probably read as denial.

Leora shook her head, chuckling softly. “Men are so dense sometimes. Logan, it’s obvious youmore thancare about–”

I raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. “Hold on, don’t lump me with Zar. I’m not clueless. Of course, I fucking like her. That’s not the point.”

Their expressions shifted from amusement to surprise, and Leora bit back a smile.

“So, wait,” Zarek leaned forward, his expression serious but his eyes teasing. “You’re worried about her because you have feelings for her? I love Leora, but I’d never stop her from doing her job just because I’m scared.”

Leora cleared her throat and I know she was reminding him of the time he actually was scared shitless.

He turned to her and smiled. “Not anymore,Mi corazón.”

I had barely blinked and both their gazes were on each others lips.

Gag me.

Looking away I mulled over Zarek’s words, acknowledging the truth in them. Kaylan was a seasoned combat medic, having served with Alpha Squad Two for years. She knew what she was doing. I just had to trust her, even though the mere thought of her in danger twisted my gut with worry.

It was my issue to deal with, my fear to conquer. The following day, when they secured the location of Derek, Kaylan was part of the small team designated to meet him, alongside Leora and Zarek. I was reassured knowing Zarek would look out for them both, which somewhat eased my concerns.

“She’ll be fine,” Zarek clapped me on the back as they prepared in the mobilization bay. They were dressed in casual attire to avoid drawing undue attention. I caught Kaylan’s gaze as she passed; her smile tight, she climbed into the SUV.

As I chatted with Zarek, I felt Kaylan watching me. When Leora came over to open the passenger door, I gave her a peck on the cheek and wished her luck. Turning back, I caught Kaylan’s scowl—a look that, despite the circumstances, gratified some petty part of me, and I bit back a smile.

She was flustered when she saw that I had caught her moment of jealousy. Seeing her struggle with her seatbelt, I stepped over and smoothly clicked it into place. “There,” I said softly, “Be safe, Chaos.’

Leaning closer, I hesitated for just a moment before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then, pulling back, I stood as they drove off, the mixed feelings of concern and affection lingering as the vehicle disappeared from sight.

TWENTY-FIVE

Kaylan

The drive to Danbury unfolded with a quiet beauty. Spring was in full bloom, and the roads were framed by lush trees that formed a natural canopy above us. Our destination was a secluded white brick house nestled north of Upper Kohanza Lake, shielded by a dense thicket of forest with a quaint guest house situated midway between the main house and the lake.

The car’s engine quieted as we pulled up to the house. Stepping out, I was greeted by the crisp, refreshing air of the lakeside—a welcome escape from the constant tension of the city. Leora, after a quick stretch, ducked back into the car to discreetly check her handgun and magazines.

Zarek shared a brief, tender kiss with Leora before signaling for us to proceed. Despite their couple status, their professionalism never waned, and I never felt out of place. The soft rustle of leaves underfoot was oddly comforting as we approached the main door.

Zarek knocked a couple of times, but there was no response. With no answer forthcoming, he walked over to a window to peer inside the house.

“Maybe he’s at the guest house,” I suggested.

Zarek and Leora exchanged nods. “I’ll stay with the car, see if he shows up. You two check it out,” Leora said, settling into a watchful stance.

Zarek glanced at me, waiting for my nod before we started towards the guest house. The path, now overgrown and faint, meandered through the thick woods, the solitude punctuated by the occasional rustle that had us instinctively reaching for our weapons.

As we approached the deteriorating guest house, its dilapidated state was apparent. The wood was sodden and swollen from the elements, the structure barely holding itself together. It was hard to imagine anyone living there.

At Zarek’s knock, there was a brief shuffle inside. Suddenly, a face appeared at one of the grimy windows—a man peering out beneath a blue baseball cap pushed comically high on his forehead. After a moment, he vanished from the window and reappeared at the door, swinging it open with a creak and a look of annoyance plastered across his face.

“Derek Cramer?” Zarek asked cautiously. The man stiffened and slightly shielded himself with the door. Both Zarek and I were wearing casual clothes, with him in a polo shirt and jeans while I wore a white t-shirt with denim shorts.

“Who’s asking?” Derek ventured, his voice gruff and heavy.

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