Page 197 of BounBound By Scars

“Yeah. Vulnerable Ghost is… mildly terrifying but effective.”

He snorted.

I opened the bottle again.

Then, after a beat he whispered, “I love you, brother.”

The words were so soft I almost didn’t catch them.

Almost.

Mid-sip, I froze.

Eyes wide. Water halfway down my throat. No breath. No movement.

Zarek noticed. “Kabir.”

I didn’t move.

“Are you—are you choking?”

I coughed violently, then half-laughed between gasps. “You—what did you just say?”

Zarek groaned. “You know what I meant.”

“No. No, I know. Just… damn. That’s strong,” I eyed the bottle in my hand.

“That’s water,” he deadpanned.

I wheezed. “I need it diluted. Maybe with vodka.”

Zarek rolled his eyes, but I saw the grin tugging at his mouth.

“Fine,” I said, wiping my chin. “I love you too, Ghost.”

He glared.

“Zar,” I corrected with a smirk.

“Asshole,” he muttered.

“Affection received.”

We sat there in silence again—more relaxed now. No tension. No eggshells. Just two idiots finally starting to get their shit together.

Maybe a few years late.

But right on time.

Amelia

I probably looked like an idiot—ear pressed to the door, tray of food in hand, as if anything could make it through these thick-ass doors.

Still, I leaned.

Hard.

Until the door clicked and swung open.

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