Page 203 of Bound By Her

Like her, he carried his legacy like a blade. But unlikethe men who came before them, neither of them wanted to use it to destroy.

They wanted to change the rules entirely.

“For the first year, he wouldn’t leave me alone. It was Loretta that found a solution. We mailed that photo to him, with the promise that there was more to come if he didn’t stop coming around. Although the photo didn’t have his face, we said that I had many that did.”

She pulled the photo of Loretta out of her pocket.

It was her graduation day. Like many milestones, it was the happiest and worst day of her life.

Loretta was there, cheering her on, screaming louder than anyone else. She had done it, finished school; she was officially an adult.

But while everyone else was making plans for their life, she was getting a tattoo and finishing an itinerary for her trip to Rome.

“What happened?” Bryson’s voice was thick.

“He left me alone. We rarely spoke. I was a little old for him, anyway. There was no reason for him to risk exposure. That is until now.”

She spit the words, “The Triune assigned him to ensure this deal between myself and your family was not a farce. It seems working so close together was no good for either of us. His fragile ego, mixed with my inability to separate the past from the present. Something was bound to happen.”

Bryson considered her words. “You don’t have any other photos, do you?”

He was quick.

She shook her head.

“You bluffed,” Bryson said, clearly surprised.

“What, you never lie?” she teased. “It was Loretta’s idea. And it worked. Until it didn’t.”

“Do you think he knew about Loretta’s involvement?” Bryson asked.

Her eyes dropped to theimage in her hand. “He must have. The photos came together.”

Bryson leaned forward. “You should tell the Triune. Seth, Kaydon, and I—we’ll stand behind you. What he did was treason.”

Adria exhaled. “I have my mother to worry about. If I push too hard, I risk her safety. Eric’s tripled security here, and when Loretta’s out of the hospital, she’ll get the same.”

She paused. “After the sale…there shouldn’t be any reason for me and him to interact again.”

She shrugged like it was a solution, not a desperate hope.

“If you change your mind,” Bryson said, shifting on the counter.

His finger brushed hers. The contact was feather-light, but her whole body stilled at the contact. Then his hand encircled her wrist.

“Why does selling us to Vega help your mom?”

She blinked.

He shouldn’t know that name.

Her instincts should’ve screamed. She should’ve pulled back. But she didn’t.

His touch grounded her. Calmed her in a way that defied logic.

“For her safety, I can’t tell you everything,” she said quietly. “But yes. You’re right. It would help her.”

He nodded, trailing his fingers along her forearm. “You’re going to get through this.”

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