Page 151 of BounBound By Scars

And Kabir was right.

“I’m serious,” I said, more firmly this time. “We need to cancel the op. Or at least delay it.”

Zane’s eyes didn’t move from mine. But something behind them shifted.

He folded his arms slowly. “And where exactly is this sudden concern coming from?”

I held his gaze, heart pounding. “Instinct. Intel doesn’t feel right. You said it yourself—the lead came too clean.”

His jaw tightened. “That’s not an answer.”

“Zane—”

“Did Kabir contact you?” he asked bluntly, voice low but sharp.

The room froze.

I could feel the air shift. Even Delara stopped flipping through the mission plan.

I didn’t respond right away.

That was enough.

Zarek stepped forward, voice clipped. “He did, didn’t he?”

My silence betrayed me.

Zarek scoffed. “You can’t be serious. Kabir’s gone rogue, Amelia. We’ve marked him. He’s not one of us anymore.”

“That’s bullshit,” I snapped, rising to my feet. My legs still trembled under me, but I didn’t care. “You’re writing him off because it’s convenient. He risked everything to come here. He warned me.”

“Or manipulated you,” Zarek shot back. “You of all people should know how dangerous he is when he wants something.”

“That’s enough,” Zane said sharply.

But the damage was done. My hands were shaking.

“He was trying to protect us,” I said, voice firm. “He told me Romano’s estate is a setup. They’ve upped security on his property—unlogged. Quiet. You don’t do that unless you’re waiting for someone.”

“And you believed him,” Zarek muttered. “God help us.”

I turned to Zane. “YouknowI wouldn’t bring this to the table unless I was sure. If we walk into that estate tomorrow, we’re walking into a kill box.”

Zane looked at me, torn. I saw it on his face—conflict, hesitation, that flicker of doubt he didn’t want to name.

I looked at Dylan for support but he remained silent as ever. His expression blank.

Zarek’s voice was quiet, almost mechanical. “He shouldn’t have come here.”

I turned to him, surprised. “You’re saying we shouldn’t even listen?”

“I’m saying,” he said without looking at me, “he made a choice. And so did we.”

The room sank into silence.

Until Sebastian, who had been watching everyone like he was measuring their weight on a scale, finally stepped forward.

His tone was flat. Final.

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