Page 160 of BounBound By Scars

The bullet missed the vest.

Fuck.

Blood immediately poured through the layers of my shirt, soaking fabric in seconds. My vision went hazy as I dropped to one knee, trying to catch myself.

I looked up.

Dylan was frozen, still pointing the gun—but his face was empty. Eyes wide, glassy. Catatonic.

Zarek rushed forward, grabbing Dylan’s weapon and wrenching it out of his hands before he could even blink. Dylan didn’t resist. Just stood there, dazed, like he wasn’t even in his body.

“Kabir!” Zane was already beside me, dropping to his knees.

“Fuck, you’re bleeding bad—hold on,” he said, tearing a compression pack from his vest and slamming it against the wound.

I sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, the pain radiating like fire.

Zane’s hands were quick, firm, practiced—but I couldn’t stop staring at Dylan.

He still hadn’t moved.

And I… I couldn’t believe it.

Dylan had shot me.

He’dshotme.

I was still staring at Dylan while Zarek tried to coax him out of his daze, gripping his shoulders, whispering his name like it could anchor him.

Then my earpiece crackled.

Dragon.

“Cipher, you were out of range. What’s your six?”

Panic spiked through me. I looked at Zane, shaking my head urgently. My fingers scrambled for the mute.

“I’m muted,” I whispered. “You need to go. Now.”

Zane’s jaw clenched. “No.”

“They’re coming,” I hissed. “I’ll be fine. Just leave.”

“Kabir…” His voice cracked. His eyes glistened—anger, guilt, and something softer beneath it. Fuck.

“Please.”

I barely managed the word.

Then I squeezed my eyes shut, braced for the lie, and unmuted.

“Dragon,” I said, voice strained, shaky, broken, “I’ve been shot. Blackthorn tried to extract me. They’re gone. I’m bleeding out. Call for rescue.”

Zane stared at me, chest rising and falling too fast. Then… a slow nod. Silent.

Hope. Regret. Pride. All bleeding together in his eyes.

I mouthed ‘go’one last time.

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