Page 58 of Bound By Her

“Your drink, Mr. Balin,” Eric said.

Jonathan’s eyes darkened, but he took the beverage. Nodding to Eric, Adria watched as Jonathan moved back into the room. With each step away from her, she felt her limbs returning.

Using her newfound locomotion, she found her way to the bar.

“What brings you to North Carolina?” Adria asked, pouring herself a glass of whiskey.

“It’s about the Winters boy,” Sean said behind her, his words carrying the musical cadence of a Cork accent.

Adria downed her first and poured herself another. Drinking that as well, the amber liquid reminding her that Jonathan was wrong.

She had changed.

“He’s here, if you want to talk to him,” she said, feeling the alcohol burn down her throat. At least it was better than the bile that was threatening to come up.

“Some of the families have been talking, and they are uncomfortable with you having Bryson, especially considering the circumstances,” Alessandro said.

The smell of cigar smoke lingered in the air, mixing with the faintscent of cologne and whiskey. Adria hesitated before slowly pivoting to confront the men in the room. She was met with the sight of Alessandro; he was the very image of a classic crime lord. And Sean, with his commanding presence and distinguished bushy beard, mustache, and sideburns that framed his face, she could sense the palpable aura of authority surrounding him. It was clear that the Irish faction was not to be trifled with.

“Concerns regarding what?” she asked.

Alessandro loosened his tie and said, “Please, Adria, sit down so we can talk.”

It wasn’t a request.

Adria sat on a piece of furniture opposite them.

Sean said, “They’re concerned ye might be makin’ a play fer a family union.”

A sharp laugh escaped Adria’s chest. The stress of the company was clearly cracking her resolve.

“Are you serious? I would rather spend time with anyone else. Please put me out of my misery and take him home,” she said, meaning every word.

If Bryson being here was going to draw the Triune’s attention, they could just take him back. Revenge was sweet, but having the eye of the Triune was the last thing Adria needed.

“Let’s not be hasty,” Alessandro interjected. “Jonathan assures us of your skills in training, and we feel that it might be good for him in the long run.”

Adria’s eyes drifted over to Jonathan’s form. His slicked black hair and trimmed facial hair sat dutifully at Alessandro’s side. He did nothing altruistically. If Jonathan was involved in this, there was something in it for him.

“He’s a good boy, and he has his uses, but a firm hand wouldn’t be the worst thing for him,” Alessandro continued.

“Do you want me to train him, or are you worried weare going to fall in love? Because I’m having trouble keeping up,” she said.

“Well, that’s jus’ it, Adria, ye said yerself ya despise the boy. Why, then, offer him in the deal?” Sean asked, his expression hard.

Adria was on dangerous ground. The Triune were treated like gods, but they didn’t know everything. Callen, like her, would have gone to great lengths to keep her land a secret. The fact that Bryson was involved in the deal couldn’t be hidden, but the reason for the sale, that was still unknown to them.

Power exchanges were common, but an open bid to steal a seat at the table? That was practically a declaration of war.

People in power didn’t like to lose it.

Adria didn’t want to admit what she had been planning; any more than Callen would want to show his cards now. That land had the power to overthrow the players at the table, and Adria wasn’t about to confess her involvement.

The three men waited for her response, and Adria gave them the truest statement she could muster. “I like a challenge.”

Alessandro turned to Sean. “I told you, just like her father.”

Adria’s fingers curled on the edge of the glass, and she ground her teeth together.

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