Page 5 of Bound

Cass is bold, sarcastic, and generally pretty fearless.

Gregory is, awkward, nerdy, less traditionally alpha…

But genuinely brave.

Staying even when he’s scared. Even when it’s terrifying.

Even when he could walk away unscathed at any moment and never look back.

And no one would fault him for it.

But he doesn’t leave.

He stays and does the hard things.

That’s Cass.

I watch them now, the way Gregory puts his hand on her shoulder. The way she looks up at him and laughs.

He always makes her laugh.

And while we’re being hunted by a psychopath?

Humor is a wonderful trait to have.

Could romantic chaos be happening out here in our snow globe?

I call her name, ready to set a gentle tease out in the world, to say something witty about the way the two of them get along so well, just to see their reaction. “Hey Cass⁠—”

Lucian leans close to my ear. “No.”

I stiffen. “No what?”

“No matchmaking,” he says. “Things are complicated enough.”

I turn my head, staring up at him. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You had a look.” He stares down, heat in his gaze.

I say, “I have many looks.”

“That one means trouble,” he says.

“Every look on your face means trouble, Lucian.”

“Everything about you is trouble.” His hand presses more firmly against my lower back.

Possessive. Warning. My body, a traitorous thing, responds. Wet and warm and wanting.

“You’re exhausted,” he says.

“So are you,” I counter.

“You need to go rest,” he growls.

“So do you.”

He lowers his voice. “Do not start with me in this hallway, Erin.”