Page 96 of Bind Me

“No, it’s just that after a long night of sex…” I’m tingling between my thighs at the memory of how many times he brought me to orgasm. “And did you even sleep? So how did you find where Zane was?”

He smirks. “My head wouldn’t rest, so once you fell asleep, I contacted Khaos.”

“Oh, you did?” I try to keep the surprise out of my voice, though Kaden always seems to amaze me.

“We’re buddies,” he jokes, flashing me a grin. “He’s a great guy. Sure, now I told him I owe him big-time, but he delivered the goods.”

I blink at him, then refocus on the road. “And?”

“He has contacts on the king’s team and was able to track down who entered Norway in the past few weeks, specifically Zane. They found him fast. I have the address he put down of where he’s staying.”

“That’s genius.” My knees bounce with nervous energy, memories of the last encounter with Zane flooding back—the warehouse, the caged animals, the fury I felt. The fact that he can move into another country without being hunted down says my old bounty company has closed the case on him. Of course, they would… but I want revenge against that asshole.

Kaden’s hand lands on my knee, steadying me. “He’ll pay,” Kaden assures me. “But first, he’s going to tell us where we can find Lilia.”

I nod, ready for this. I feel the blade tucked in my boot and another at my hip. We’re heading to the industrial district of the city, not far from the wharf.

“Maybe he’s moved his business to Norway,” Kaden states.

“Or he’s just finally found me and is coming back for what I stole from him—Chowder. Whom he’s not getting. Under any circumstance.” My gut twists at the thought.

“I promise you he won’t.”

We soon pull up to a smaller industrial building made of weathered wood, just one among several lined up along the road. The docks stretch out in the distance in front of the buildings.

I park at one end of the street, and we get out, the chill of the morning air biting at my skin. Kaden takes the lead and a sense of déjà vu washes over me, reminding me of the first time I went after Zane with that idiot Scout. But this time, I have real support by my side.

We move quietly as we approach the property. The door is locked, but Kaden doesn’t hesitate. He shoves his shoulder into it, breaking the lock with a splintering crack. We slip inside quickly, finding a small warehouse and office space, but it’s empty. Devoid of life, as if no one’s been staying here.

Dust clings to the surfaces, and the air is thick with the scent of the place being closed up for a long time. I scan the open area, taking in the metal shelves lined with nondescript boxes and a small, cluttered desk shoved against the far wall.

Kaden moves deeper through the place, only lit up by sunlight pouring in from the high windows, scanning every corner, every shadowed recess.

My attention fixes on the office door. Kaden’s footsteps echoing softly behind me. The office is empty, with no sign of life. I move cautiously, rifling through the drawers, but they’re all empty except for a few scraps of paper and pens rolling around as I yank them open. I kneel down, running my hand underneath the desk, hoping for a hidden compartment or something out of place, but there’s nothing.

Kaden’s outside the room, keeping an eye out.

My stomach churns with disappointment. We were so sure we’d find something here, some clue to point us in the right direction. I straighten up, wiping my hands on my jeans, and head back into the main area.

“Nothing in here, just an empty storage area.” I sigh, feeling the heaviness of failure settle over me. “This place hasn’t been used in a while.”

We cross the floor, checking behind the shelves and peering into the dusty corners. The air is still, silent except for the soft creak of the floorboards under my feet.

Kaden’s expression mirrors how I feel on the inside—disappointed.

“Sorry to get your hopes up, but I think this is a fake address,” he murmurs.

I sigh heavily.

“If Zane was here, he’s long gone now,” he adds.

“Let’s go to the docks, then,” I suggest, not ready to give in. “We can ask around for him.”

With his nod, we move back outdoors, the sunlight bright. Just as we emerge, I spot someone familiar crossing the road toward us.

It’s Zane. A massive man with a handlebar mustache, wearing blue overalls, filthy with what look like black grease stains, his gaze narrowing as he takes us in.

Our gazes clash, and he pauses mid-step. Recognition flickers in his eyes, and a split second later, after sizing up Kaden, he turns and bolts in the opposite direction, heading back toward the wharf.

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