Page 82 of Bound

But she doesn’t say anything for a long moment.

And my worry grows.

“I don’t think I can tell you,” she whispers.

I frown. “What do we say? It’s you and me?—”

“Versus the world,” she finishes. “But this isn’t about me. Or you,” she adds when that churning in my gut intensifies.

“Who?” I ask.

“I can’t say,” she whispers. “Not until he knows.”

The pieces slide into place then, and they do nothing to ease the anxiety tearing through my insides.

It’s nearing the trade deadline.

Players are being shifted around left and right and?—

Tears contained in her beautiful eyes, turning those dark brown eyes into liquid pools of chocolate. The tension in her frame, her jaw, like she’s expecting me to push.

“I didn’t make the deal,” she says, her words coming fast and furiously, almost with indiscernible speed, all jumbled together in a rush. “Luc and well, I wasn’t part of it, probably because he knows I wouldn’t be able to handle it and—” Her voice breaks.“He’d be right. This fucking sucks and I need to be there when we tell him. But how thehellam I going to be there?”

“Kitty cat.” I shove a hand through my hair, debating on the right thing to say.

Then I decide there’s no right thing to say, so I just cross to her, take her in my arms, and I hug her tight.

She sniffs. “It’s the job,” she whispers. “I know that. I just?—”

“We’re family,” I finish for her when she doesn’t say anything further, just wraps her arms around me and continues to breathe, albeit shakily. “It’ll be okay,” I promise.

Because I’ll make sure of that.

And I’d like to say that’s why I do what I do next.

But that’d be a lie.

Because, quite simply, I snoop.

I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t, but the way I’m hugging her means that I’m facing her desk.

And the papers are right there and…

It’s impossible to not see the name.

Nearly impossible to keep still when I read it.

Nearly impossible to keep holding her, to not let the blow of the trade deal hit me hard enough to reveal that I know.

Easy.Steady.

She needs me with her, not worrying about my own emotions.

But…

Aiden.God, we’ve just begun to really gel, and he’s becoming a huge part of the team?—

And he’s my linemate, my teammate, my friend.

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