Page 197 of Bound By Her

“We all know money is not her motivation,” Kaydon said. “You’re playing a game that isn’t winnable.”

Bryson sat back down, grabbing the cards. “What else is there besides money? She wanted the Brazilian property and got us instead. No buyer in Mexico is going to change my father’s mind. It makes no sense.”

Kaydon picked up his hand. “How about you ask her?”

Bryson played with his chips. “How about I don’t want to.”

A wicked smile played on Kaydon’s face. “How about I play you for it?”

Bryson hovered in the hallway outside Adria’s office. Despite the fact that Kaydon couldn’t bluff for shit, he had somehow managed to win that hand.

He got lucky.

Bryson unconsciously ran his fingers over the now healed knife marks.

Adria had only recently arrived back at the house, and Bryson had stalled for a while, reasoning that she would need time to shower and get settled.

He still didn’t believe that telling her was the best play. But Kaydon thought it was, and the three of them had agreed.

“Why are you lurking in her hallway?” Kaydon asked.

“Fuck off.”

Kaydon broke out into a huge grin. “Somebody’s nervous.”

Was that why he was lurking in the hallway?

“I don’t want her to get the wrong idea,” Bryson said.

“What idea? Just tell her you used her phone for an unsanctioned call while she was on the couch dying, what’s to misunderstand?”

“You’re an ass.”

“Just trying to help.”

Kaydon put his hands on Bryson’s shoulders. “Brother, just talk to her. You’ll figure it out.”

With a little shove, Kaydon pushed him forward and sauntered down the hallway.

When he was well out of sight, Bryson brought his hand up to knock.

With a soft hand, too soft to make a noise, he brought it down in a pathetic nudge.

No noise was made, but the door slid open. Just a crack. Bryson gave the door another nudge, peering into the empty office.

“Adria?”

He spoke into the vacant room. The window behind her desk showed the dimming sunlight. Stepping inside, he glanced into the bedroom and saw Adria asleep.

Her eyes were puffy, and her face was red, like she had been crying. His body reacted like there was a threat, but after a few moments of breathing, he saw there was no danger. She didn’t seem injured, but Bryson inspected the area.

There were papers on her desk and the soft glow of a screen.

Moving to glance at it, Bryson saw message bubbles.

Looking back in her direction, he convinced himself a small peek wouldn’t hurt. It might even help to know what was going on before talking to her.

Scrolling up in the conversation, he stopped when he saw.

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