Page 230 of Bound By Her

And with that, she fled the room, leaving him standing there, heart racing. Alone.

Bryson stood there, rooted in the spot. The warmth of the sun mingling with the certainty that washed over him. Like pieces falling into place, Bryson knew he belonged to Adria.

Her tether had wrapped around him and bound him to her. She had bound all of them to her.

They were hers. Even if she wasn’t ready to admit it.

CHAPTER 57

NORTH CAROLINA

Kaydon fidgeted with his cuff links. The suit felt stiff, scratchy, and completely unnatural.

“Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve worn normal clothes?” he asked the room.

Seth looked miserable, tugging at his collar like it was trying to strangle him. But, Kaydon doubted he had many reasons to dress up. Meanwhile, Bryson turned in front of the mirror, admiring himself from every angle.

“I look so naked,” Bryson muttered.

He meant the lack of tattoos.

They were supposed to be prepping as the evening’s entertainment—just bow ties, no suits—but, of course, Bryson had cooked up an alternative plan.

Big surprise.

Initially, Kaydon had refused. But Eric’s calm logic eventually wore him down. If they told Adria, she’d shut it down—and, as Eric had said, “This is in her best interest.”

“This must be what James Bond feels like,” Seth said, adjusting his sleeves.

Bryson slipped on the masquerade mask. “Could you recognize me?”

Kaydon studied him, trying to look at him as a party guest might. Seth’s expertise in make-up had concealed the tattoos flawlessly. Kaydon tried not to think too hard about why Seth was so adept at hiding marks on skin, but with Bryson’s face covered, it would be nearly impossible to tell his identity with any certainty.

Still, Kaydon would have recognized Bryson under a paper bag.

“No,” Kaydon said. “But you look kinda hot.”

Bryson smirked.

Eric entered the room, his presence immediately drawing the group’s attention.

“It’s time,” he said, locking eyes with Kaydon.

Kaydon took a steadying breath.

Bryson turned to the group. “Let’s run it one more time. Kaydon, you’ll be at the back door. El’s contact gives you the file. Once you have it, get it to me.”

“Looking for a red coat,” Kaydon nodded. “Shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Seth, you run interference with Jonathan’s bodyguards. I only need a minute.”

Seth’s eyes lit up with anticipation. Kaydon could almost see the chaotic ideas forming in his head.

“Quietly distract,” Kaydon added, shooting him a look.

Seth’s grin fell. “Fine.”

Bryson continued, “Eric has guards on Adria. Jonathan won’t get anywhere near her. If we’re lucky, we’ll be in and out before she even knows we were involved.”

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