Page 48 of BounBound By Scars

It was all he said before spinning around, the heavy weight of his unmistakable order still lingering.

He didn’t wait for me. Didn’t look back to check if I was following. But I did.

My insides were burning with agitation to find Sebastian and end things properly. But Dylan had never—never—initiated such a summoning with me.

Fuck.

Why did I feel like I was going to get one of those old brotherly beatings from him?

As I walked behind him, following him to the entrance of the courtyard, my mind kept conjuring images of me kneeing him in his balls. Just as I once had when he was nineteen. He had come back from his training in the military.

I had been mad at him for leaving me to take care of our little sister, Iris, by myself. She was twelve at the time. And my newly teenage self didn’t understand why she was so insufferable.

I soon realized I was the same insufferable pre-teen for Dylan to handle—he had made that abundantly clear at dinner the first night he was back. Embarrassing me in front of Iris.

That had earned him a knee to his balls.

I couldn’t help but feel like I was about to be put in place again. Almost two decades later.

He stopped near the fountain, which was now decorated with wedding paraphernalia.

Beautiful white chairs were neatly lined on either side of the aisle. It looked like an aisle now. Leora and Zarek must be happy.

Dylan casually lifted two random chairs and set them up near the edge of the fountain.

Once he settled down, he gestured for me to take a seat. No,orderedwas more like it.

I sat down with a huff—almost petulantly.

“Which one?” He asked without preamble.

He didn’t elaborate. Didn’t contextualize his question. But I knew what he was asking.

Fuck him and his intent gaze.

“You know, Dyl. Why are you even asking?” I grumbled.

He nodded thoughtfully and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You know, Amelia,” Dylan said, his voice even, “I sometimes forget you’re not just my sister. You’re a squad member. Someone capable of shifting dynamics.”

I narrowed my eyes, even though he wasn’t looking at me.

“I notice things,” he added after a sigh. “Just because I don’t speak on them, doesn’t mean I don’t have opinions.”

“I know you do.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “And yes, I made a mess. But I’m fixing it. It won’t affect the squad or whatev—”

“I’ve never seen him that drunk.”

He cut me off. Looked right at me when he said it.

Kabir.

Fuck.

I dropped my gaze to my hands, pretending to pick at my nails, even though they were clean. Even though I knew exactly what he was getting at.

“He’s hurting,” Dylan added quietly.

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