Page 169 of Bound By Crimson
By the time she reached the stone wall, her breath was shallow, her limbs trembling.
She dropped onto the bench, cradling her stomach, trying to calm herself.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Signal found.
Then it began.
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Her screen lit up in a frenzy of missed calls and messages.
Rowan (8 missed calls)
Velora (4 voicemails)
Callie. Kat. Dozens of texts.
Her fingers trembled as she scrolled.
One from Rowan:
“Where are you?? Please call me. It’s urgent.”
Another from Velora:
“Lyric, please tell me you’re okay. We’re all freaking out.”
She tried calling Kai first. The phone rang once—then went straight to voicemail.
Her lips parted, dry and shaking.
She called Callie next.
It rang twice before Callie picked up.
“Lyric,” she said, far too calm. “Hey—how are you feeling?”
Lyric froze. “What’s going on? Why is everyone trying to reach me?”
Callie paused. “I don’t know. Just wanted to say hi, that’s all.”
“Callie—”
“I’ve gotta go. I can’t talk now… I’m sorry.”
Click.
She stared at the phone, stunned.
She tapped Kat’s name, her pulse pounding.
Kat picked up on the first ring, whispering, “Lyric? I’m so sorry. I had to take the money.”
“What?” Lyric rasped. “What money? What are you talking about?”
“I—I signed the NDA. I didn’t want to, but… I couldn’t risk it. He’s dangerous. I’m so sorry.”
