Page 189 of BounBound By Scars

A traitor.

I could only hope that had changed in the past week. That someone—anyone—inside would let me through without drawing a gun. Or at the very least, let me collapse onto a bed instead of faceplanting on the goddamn sidewalk.

My ribs were screaming. Just catching a cab had been its own personal hell. I’d had to pay in crumpled bills—whatever I’d stashed before the Romano mission.

Digital payments were a luxury I couldn’t afford.

I had no phone.

NoDaLia.

No Sentrix.

Shit.

I could only pray they weren’t sitting at the bottom of New York Harbor.

The automatic gate to Blackthorn Security hissed open. The metallic monstrosity barely made a sound.

I limped through, hand clutched tight to my side, breathing through the pain.

They’d know it was me by now. No element of surprise left.

One foot in front of the other, I reached the Mobilization Bay.

The elevator chimed and opened.

Everyone spilled out.

Zarek.

Logan.

Leora.

Kaylan.

Sebastian.

Delara.

I slowed, breath catching.

There was only one person I wanted to see.

But she wasn’t there.

Where is she?

Then Zane appeared. And right beside him—my Lia.

Her hand was locked in his, her frame stiff. Dazed. Like she wasn’t really there at all.

And the truth hit me like a punch straight to the ribs.

She thought I was dead.

Of course she did.

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