Page 25 of Bound By Her

Spots floated in his vision.

Callen picked up a book—heavy, leather-bound—and swung.

“Da—”

It was all Bryson was able to get out before darkness took him.

A sharp slap brought him back.

Bryson blinked, vision swimming. Pain radiated from every limb. He was released and immediately collapsed into the puddle of his own vomit.

A boot caught his side again.

He curled into himself, choking on blood, trying to protect his head, his kidneys.

Bryson gagged on blood in his throat. His hands clawing uselessly against the slick vomit-lined marble.

And then—stillness.

A cloth was handed to his father. He wiped the blood from his knuckles, placing a boot on Bryson’s shoulder, pressing down.

“You will fulfill our promise to Adria.”

Bryson lay panting on the ground. Everything hurt. He willed his body to work, but it refused.

“In exchange, I will offer them protection.” His father was close, but his voice seemed far away.

Giving him one final kick, his father sent him spiraling to his side.

Fire rolled through him, and Bryson fought to breathe.

“You finish out your service. If you try to run, I will find you, and I will make sure you stay alive long enough to watch me tear these two apart piece by piece.”

Bryson didn’t need to see his father’s eyes to know he was not bluffing.

“They come with me to Adria’s.” His words slurred as blood poured out of his mouth.

“Negotiation time is over.”

“There is no way I’m leaving them here with you,” Bryson said.

After a moment, his father nodded.

“If they want to go, I won’t stop them. But I can’t guarantee Dri will allow them to stay.”

His father went back to writing behind his desk as Bryson lay there bleeding.

The snap of fingers caused two hands to haul him up. Feet dangling inches from the floor, his father presented him with a contract.

“Put him on his feet,” his father ordered.

It took two tries for his feet to hold him. Bryson had to grip the edge of the desk for support. His breathing labored. His father may have broken a rib.

“Rolland took the liberty of drafting this for us when we were on our way home. I’ve added the stipulations you suggested,” his father said, acting as though this were a traditional business meeting.

Bryson’s vision was doubled, but he was able to readthat it granted Seth and Kaydon full protection, if Bryson fulfilled his part.

With as steady of a hand as he could muster, Bryson signed the document and kissed his ring. His father did the same and with a wave of his hand, the three of them were half dragged, half carried out of the office.

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