Page 206 of Bound By Her

“Yep, that’s him.”

“And you think we are going to catch him hanging around there?”

“I’d bet my life on it,” Bryson said.

CHAPTER 49

NORTH CAROLINA

Adria looked out her car window. The wind buffeted against her vehicle, and she watched the trees fold under its strength. The funeral had been impressively beautiful. Elegant, subtle and final. Just like Loretta.

“We are here, Miss,” Eric said from the driver’s seat.

Adria just sat there.

“Can we drive around the block one more time?”

She heard him taking off his seatbelt and twisting to look at her. No doubt trying to get a better look at her condition.

“We have already been around the block four times.”

She didn’t reply. She hated that she couldn’t threaten to belt him. Submissive relationships were so much easier than regular ones.

Most people had friends to tell them the hard stuff.

Loretta was a friend.

Friends were a liability.

Adria ignored Eric and stared into her home. Worst of all was what waited for her inside. Adria didn’t even know what to call them. Well past captives, they weren’t inventory or paid submissives.

All Adria knew is she couldn’t stand the thought of seeing them.

She looked at her front door. Would Kaydon be inside, waiting to pull her into a big hug? She imagined Seth’s face, ready to take on the world for her, and then there was Bryson. What version of him would she get?

“Do you want me to get rid of them; put them in their rooms for the night?”

“You think I can’t handle them myself?” she snapped.

Eric looked forward, his face a mask of seriousness. “It’s late, and I’m not going around the block anymore. So, either you get out of the car on your own, or I’ll carry you out. Your choice.” And with that, he turned the key and took it out of the ignition.

He wouldn’t.

She watched as he rolled up his sleeves, making his way to the back of the car. She pushed the door open, nearly hitting him as he approached. Bringing her coat close, she stomped past him.

Adria expected to see three sets of eyes on her when she opened the foyer door, but it was empty. She checked the kitchens and found a single dinner plate laid out for her on the counter, but otherwise there was no sign of them.

The next day unfolded in silence.

The boys had been making themselves scarce, and—for once—even Eric gave her space. She could’ve called them. Could’ve tracked them down, but she welcomed the quiet.

Tomorrow was the auction.

She told herself the time alone was to think, to plan.Compartmentalize. She was good at that. A lifetime of practice. Auction first—then feel.

Except thinking about the auction was the exact thing she didn’t want to do.

Every time she tried, her mind conjured the image of a black-tinted sedan pulling away from the house, disappearing down the long drive.

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