Page 223 of Bound By Her

Seth crawled back into bed, and Kaydon’s free arm wrapped around him, like muscle memory.

“Two older guys invited me somewhere private. We ended up in an abandoned warehouse.”

Adria tensed, and Kaydon gently ran his fingers through her hair.

“It’s not like that,” he said quickly.

Seth’s voice was sharp. “It is like that. You were seventeen.”

Adria nodded in agreement, gaze heavy on Kaydon’s profile.

“I wasn’t forced,” Kaydon said, smiling faintly. “But when Bryson showed up? Yeah, he didn’t see it that way.”

He chuckled under his breath. “Knees on the cold concrete, and I felt the guy go from high-noon to limp.”

Kaydon covered his face, his body shaking with laughter. “Dude went from rock hard to marshmallow in seconds. I thought maybe a SWAT team had rolled up. But no—it was Bryson. Fourteen years old, baby-faced menace, and he just spoke. Sent two grown men running.”

Kaydon peeled his arm away and looked at them, something bright and proud in his expression.

“I was mortified. He was my new charge, and I was…yeah. But he just gave me thislook.”

“I wish I could’ve seen it,” Seth said, shaking beside her with laughter. “The first time you got the look.”

Adria smiled. “You three are adorable.”

Kaydon’s grin softened. “He’s amazing. You’ll see. He’s just working through stuff right now.”

“Yeah,” Seth added with a snort. “Hiswhole life.”

Adria laughed, warmth rising in her chest. “What happened next?”

Kaydon smirked. “What do you think? He backed me into a wall, whispered filthy things in my ear, and kissed me.”

That tracked. Very Bryson.

Adria sat up, slipping on her robe. “Do you guys see other people?”

Seth didn’t answer, but Kaydon said, “Seth does, sometimes. I…haven’t.”

She froze. That made her the first since Kaydon was sixteen. Her heart clenched at the weight of it.

Sadness rising inside of her, hot and sharp.

“Can I ask you something? Honestly?” she said, facing him.

“Anything.”

“Where should I sell you tomorrow?” Her voice cracked just a little. “I know you’ve thought about it. The safest place.”

Kaydon didn’t hesitate. “Your Mexico contact.”

Seth nodded in agreement.

“No,” Adria said, rubbing her forehead. “Not what helps me.Where is safest for you? You must’ve had a plan—before…” She gestured around the room. “Before all this.”

Kaydon held her gaze, lying through his teeth. “That is the safest place.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t give me that Right Hand bullshit. I already have one.”

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