Page 70 of BounBound By Scars

I scoffed. “I’m only Kavya’s brother. And I can’t even talk to her.”

“You can talk to me,” he offered softly.

I looked at him then. His face—sincere, steady, concerned. “When did you start calling Ghost… Zar?”

Logan blinked, then frowned. “I don’t know,” he cleared his throat. “Maybe when we first joined the CIA? Why?”

I nodded, letting that sit for a second. “And Titan… Dyl?”

“Kabir?” Logan’s hand landed on my shoulder. “What exactly are you asking?”

I shrugged, lips twisting. “Nothing.”

My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for her. I hadn’t had the guts earlier. I kept imagining her and Sebastian sneaking off to continue their kiss-fest from the damn dance floor.

“She’s in the bathroom,” Logan murmured.

Before I could react, Zane returned and clapped a hand against my back. “Why is he drinking? Do we know?”

And just like that, the two of them started talking like I wasn’t even fucking there.

“He’s drinking,” I snapped, “because the woman he loves was making out on the dance floor with a man who was clearly using her.”

Zane blinked. “Seb?” Confusion all over his face, like his golden boy-boss could never do anything wrong.

“Yes, your preciousSeb,”I clumsily waved my hand in his general direction, “used her to make some random woman jealous.”

The second I said it, realization hit me. Was that it? WasAmeliausinghim…to make me jealous?

Were we really pulling high school tactics now?

No. I needed answers.

I pushed off the barstool to stand, but Logan’s hand clamped gently on my shoulder.

“Don’t stop me, brother,” I bit out.

“I wasn’t,” he said quickly, stepping back. “You were swaying. You sure you’re alright?”

I nodded on a thick swallow. “I’m fine.”

Fuck. I needed to see her.

As I started toward the far end of the courtyard, heading for the guest bathrooms, I heard Logan’s footsteps behind me. I spun around—too fast—and stumbled.

“What?” I snapped.

“Kabir, listen,” he said, grabbing the back of my neck and forcing me to look at him. “You love her. I know. But don’t say it to her when you’rethisdrunk. Okay?”

I laughed, bitter. “I already told her, Logan.Weeksago. I told her everything. Just like you told me to.”

The laugh faded into something self-deprecating. “It didn’t change a thing. She’s still dating him. But… I don’t know. Something doesn’t add up.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay. Just… be careful with your words. You can’t take them back once they’re out.”

A shadow crossed his face—like something in him cracked. I think I knew what he was remembering. That night in the lounge. The names he’d called Kaylan when his whole world was collapsing. I could still hear them. Even drunk.

Fuck, it still haunted him, didn’t it?

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