Page 123 of Bound

“And so perfectly baked,” Gregory interjects.

“This is addicting.”

“Like you.” Lucian takes a bite from mine without asking.

“Get your own.”

“Partnership,” he counters, then takes another bite.

The bell above the bakery door rings.

Rafe walks in.

Lucian looks right at him. “No.”

Rafe stops. “I haven’t even said anything.”

“You never bring casual information before seven.”

He looks at Lucian. “Correct.”

Lucian puts down the pastry.

My stomach tightens automatically.

Old reflex.

Rafe sees it. His face softens. “Nothing bad. I hope.”

I breathe. Lucian does too. Barely.

“A note.” Rafe hands me a small package, a notecard attached. “For Erin.”

Lucian asks if Rafe ran the harmless white card through security. Twice. Rafe is insulted.

Twice.

But Lucian doesn’t stop Rafe from giving me said note.

Progress.

No return address. My name on the plain white cardstock.

Erin Bachman.

I immediately guess the owner of the precise penmanship.

Erin,

I hope the Village is whole again.

I hope he is too.

I think, because of you, he might be.

If not now, soon.

You are kind to him, and you’ve been kind to me.