Page 15 of Bound By Valor

What have I gotten myself into?

The door creaked open and Zarek/Grant stepped in, carrying a tray of scrambled eggs, bacon, and juice. He placed it on the nightstand before sitting down at the foot of the bed. My gaze must have carried the weight of my unrest because his expression shifted to one of concern, his brows knitting together in worry.

“I am so sorry for what happened,” he murmured sincerely.

“I got myself involved that night. It’s not your fault,Grant,” I said, though confusion clouded my mind about his true identity.

“It’s Zarek,” he clarified softly, as if he could read the confusion etched across my face. “My name is Zarek Rivera. Born in January, I am 35 years old.”

“Hmm. Leora Mateez. March. I turned 29 yesterday,” I replied.

“I know. Happy birthday,” he said solemnly, his gaze dropping to the bruises on my neck. I instinctively covered them with my hand.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his discomfort palpable. “Eat and then meet me downstairs, okay?” He said, rising from the bed. He paused at the doorway, giving me one last look that carried some regret before he left the room.

After finishing the eggs and bacon, I took the glass of juice and headed downstairs. Suddenly conscious of the scant length of Zarek’s T-shirt, I tugged at the hem, trying to cover more of myself, a small gestureof reclaiming some dignity after feeling so exposed.

Once downstairs, I noticed a man with dirty blond hair seated at the dining table, leisurely sipping from a cup while scrolling through his phone.

Zarek approached with a cup of his own and nodded towards the man as I followed his gaze.

“That’s Logan,” he introduced, just as Logan shot a glare at both of us.

Logan exhaled sharply, his frustration evident as he tossed his head back and groaned, “Fucking hell.”

“What’s wrong with him?” I inquired, a hint of annoyance threading through my curiosity.

“He’s just pissed that I blew his cover,” Zarek explained with a slight shrug.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t be doing that. What if I’m a spy?” I countered, half-joking but also genuinely concerned about the casual reveal of sensitive information.

“See? At least she has some brains,” Logan barked from across the room. He then turned to me, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “Hi Leora, lovely meeting you yesterday. Perhaps you should slip back into that skimpy dress you came in and walk on back to your place.” Then he looked at Zarek. “This is no place forcivilians.”

His words, sharp and unwelcoming, stung more than I expected. “I don’t intend to stay,” I retorted sharply, my voice cold. I downed my glass of juice in one long gulp, handed the empty glass to Zarek with a forceful push against his chest, and turned to head back upstairs.

Their message was clear, I wasn’t welcome here.

NINE

Zarek

“Are you fucking insane?” I bellowed at Logan as I quickly followed Leora to my bedroom, anger coursing through me.

The moment I entered, I realized my grave mistake—I hadn’t knocked. Leora had taken off the T-shirt I had given her, her bare back exposed to me, clad only in her black panties as she turned her dress inside out. Hastily, I shut the door behind me to prevent anyone else from walking in on this private moment.

She glanced over her shoulder, a shudder rippling through her. “I guess it’s your turn to watch me change and then get the fuck out of your space,” she said, her voice laced with icy detachment.

“You’re not leaving. It’s not safe,” I insisted, my concern peaking.

“Didn’t you already neutralize the threat? Isn’t that guy in your custody?” she huffed, frustration evident in her tone.

I sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “No. He ran away. And he has more people on your tail. Onmy tail, fuck. Just… stay. Please, Leora.”

Then, in a move that completely shattered my defenses, she turned around, exposing her breasts to me. I struggled to maintain eye contact, but my gaze involuntarily dropped, despite my best efforts. I swallowed as I studied the soft curves of her ample breasts, the tempting brown peeks desperate for my mouth. A small, knowing smile played on her lips.

“Like what you see?” She whispered softly.

A ragged breath escaped me as I felt my cock harden under my sweatpants.

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