Page 26 of Bound

“Wait.” Rafe holds up a hand.

The room goes silent. He’s found something.

A line circled in red. Words too small for me to read from where I sit. Gregory pulls the screen closer, reading, “TWELVE SECOND DELAY AUTHORIZED.”

The room holds its breath. The next image appears. A map. Not Bachman Village. Not exactly. An old industrial block. The warehouse.

Lucian and Isobel try very hard not to look at each other.

For once, it doesn’t even bother me. I’m starting to feel bad for both of them. It seems as if neither of them wants to be tied to the other.

If I’m the anchor that moors him, she’s threatening to pull him under.

The third image loads. A photograph of a signature. Back-to-back letter B’s light up the screen in gold.

A Bachman authorization seal.

Lucian’s voice is almost too quiet. “That’s my father’s seal.”

Rafe studies the image. “This proves his seal was used. Not that he used it personally.”

“What does it mean?” Lucian’s hand slips out of mine. I let it.

Now, I know he’s not taking his love with it.

Then Rafe’s tablet chimes.

One sound, and the whole house becomes a popsicle.

Rafe looks down. His expression hardens. “Another message. It’s the same sender as the one who sent the last video…”

We all think of Marina, her death, and how this is all related.

Gregory inspects the screen. “It’s got to be from Carlos.”

“Wait…” At the mention of Carlos, Isobel half stands from her chair. “The necklace.”

“What about it?” Blaze asks before Lucian can.

“What if Marina gave me the microfilm because she was going to leave Carlos?” Hope edges into her voice. “What if she wanted to turn away from him?”

“Like you have?” Blaze says, bored.

“Shut up, Blaze,” Bayne says. “Let her speak.”

Blaze shoves the end of a pen in his mouth to stop himself from retorting. I’m starting to wonder if, by some miracle, those two share DNA because they fight like Cass and I do.

Isobel looks away from us, pacing a strip of floor behind her side of the table. She’s talking mostly to herself. “What if… what if she knew I was going to turn against him?”

Lucian’s voice is deadly. “You swore you told no one.”

“I didn’t.” Her eyes snap to him. “I still swear.”

Blaze tosses the pen onto the table. “Then how would she know, and what does that have to do with any of this?”

“My god. Will you let me speak!” Elegant Isobel loses her composure, throwing her hands into the air. “I swear your wife must be the most patient woman in the world.”

“She is. Patient and sweet and kind and nothing like you. And instead of being with her, living in our beautiful home, in our amazing Village, I’m stuck here in this haunted ice cube trying to eliminate your psycho boyfriend.”