Page 23 of Bound By Her

“By all means, Father,” Bryson said, voice bitter. “Let’s discuss.”

If his father had truly wanted them dead, they’d already be gone.

His father pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. “As much as it pains me to admit, Adria is right.”

Bryson’s mouth fell open. He didn’t think his father acquiesced to anyone’s opinion.

Ever.

Continuing, his father said, “The families have doubts about your ability to take over the business.”

“Who? Why don’t they tell me to my face?”

Cowards, all of them. The Triune certainly felt comfortable calling him when they needed their dirty work done. But all of a sudden he was unfit to lead.

What did they know? If they thought so little of him, why not try him and see what happens?

“You’re soft.”

Bryson spat on the floor.

“Unreliable,” his father continued his verbal chastisement.

Seth’s head was yanked back by his blond hair, the muzzle of the gun brushing his temple. Kaydon jerked against his restraints, muscles straining. His wrists were raw from the effort.

Bryson’s vision narrowed, rage clouding everything but Rolland’s face.

“You’re arrogant. Insolent. Undisciplined,” Callen continued. “You’re not fit to run this family.”

He stood and walked slowly toward the desk, looming above him. Bryson pressed his hands into his pants, trying to hide the sweat pooling on his palms.

“Bottom line. This trade route is valuable. And for once, you’re going to help this family.”

The irony was suffocating. Bryson had brought the deal forward. It was his idea, his research—and now it was being weaponized.

His father moved to Seth, taking the gun from Rolland.

“Open up, little one.”

Bryson stood. “Dad?—”

But the wordpleasecaught in his throat as the barrel pushed into Seth’s mouth.

Bryson’s stomach turned. Seth’s teeth scraping the top of the gun.

Callen cocked the weapon.

Bryson’s whole body locked.

“I’ll go,” he said quickly, voice low. “If that’s what the family needs. I’ll do it.”

Not for the family. For Seth. For Kaydon.

Callen paused.

“You were always going to Adria’s. That was never in question. This—” his finger twitched toward the trigger, “is the lesson.”

Kaydon screamed through the gag, red soaking into the rope at his wrists.

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