Page 10 of BounBound By Scars

I snorted. “Quicker, but not safer.Andwould’ve put us in a federal black site within the hour.”

Still, my mind was already piecing things together. “Right now, I just wanna find out what on-site, internal events the White House has coming up. Charities, galas, a fucking birthday party… whatever. Might give us a way in.”

Zane nodded, rubbing his jaw. “Makes sense. Low risk, medium reward.”

Exactly. If we played it right, those events could be our way in—a chance to interact with the cabinet off-record, without accosting or provoking its members. Maybe even sneak our way into the White House Situation Room.

Maybe I wasn’tcompletelyuseless after all.

FOUR

Amelia

This had to be the weirdest, most awkward conversation I was about to have.

And that was saying something, considering I once had to negotiate with a warlord while duct-taped to a chair.

I had seen the way Kabir looked at me during breakfast yesterday. Like I was a puzzle he used to know how to solve, but now? He didn’t have the fucking pieces anymore. His voice had been tight, strained, as if forcing himself to stay composed.

Maybe I was overthinking this.

Maybe I shouldn’t do this.

I should.

I would.

I needed to.

Right?

As everyone scattered from the dining area, I made my way toward the Blackthorn building across the bridge, my steps purposeful. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. I had thought about it. And I strongly believed this would jolt Kabir into realizing things.

Because I wasn’t imagining the tick in his jaw when I told him I’d date Sebastian.

It had been there—the rage. The annoyance.

The jealousy?

That had to mean something.

Just as I was about to turn into Sebastian’s hallway, an agitated voice made me pause. Logan.

“This… is coming with me.”

A groan followed, then Sebastian’s irritated voice. “Fine! Take the whole damn crate, if you want. I’ll find another way.”

“Bastian, brother, please,” Logan’s voice was softer now, “Let me just fucking help you… mhmfmhmhmm.”

…Huh?

I strained to hear, but Logan’s retort was muffled. Whatever argument they were having was serious enough to make Sebastian actually raise his voice.

“Leave. I don’t want you here.”

“Brother—”

“Get out!” Seb roared.

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