Page 5 of BounBound By Scars

“Oh, it’s a real doom switch. We’re probably looking at a Crazon to end all Crazons,” Zane threw in, not missing a beat.

“A Master Crazon, if you will,” Kabir suggested, cracking a smile.

“The Original Crazon?” Kaylan offered, trying to add a mythical spin.

I watched as the suggestions spiraled. Delara, not one to be left out, piped up from the corner, “How about ‘Apocalypse Crazon’? Too dramatic?”

Logan snorted, adding, “Or just ‘The Big Red Button’. Keeps it simple and scary.”

We volleyed names back and forth until finally settling on ‘Doom Switch’. It was straightforward and oddly fitting. As everyone nodded in agreement, I couldn’t help but chuckle at our collective creativity under pressure.

Kabir

Sweetheart.

Fucking sweetheart.

Madarchod!

The world was on the brink of nuclear war and it was Sebastian who was getting on my nerves with his shit. What right did he have to call Amelia that? And why the hell did it bother me so much?

Since I had pushed her away—rather harshly, I might add—I figured I shouldn’t care who flirted with her or what pet names they tossed around. But there it was, eating at me while I tried to focus on briefing the team. I kept glancing at Amelia, noticing how worn out she looked today. There was a slump to her shoulders that wasn’t there before, which sparked a pang of guilt inside me.

I had caused this. Her avoidance of eye contact with everyone around the table was because of me. Did she cry again after our kiss? Dammit, I needed to pull myself together. Our friendship was too important, and right now, it was my responsibility to mend whatever I had broken.

And Ineededto know where that kiss came from.

But if nothing came of it, I had to be ready to fight my feelings if I wanted to salvage the bond we once had.

As the breakfast ended, I caught up to Amelia while leaving the lounge. “Hey, can we talk?” I ventured, gently.

She turned around to meet my gaze, her demeanor hesitant.

“Ominous,” she muttered.

After studying my face for a few seconds she nodded. I had no idea what she saw on my face—fear? Plea? Longing?

As we made our way back to our rooms, she opted forherroom to talk. I believed she did that so she could kick me out once we were done.

Once inside, she perched on the edge of her bed and motioned for me to start. The weight of the moment settled in my chest, heavy and uncomfortable.

“Lia, about last night—” I began, only to be swiftly cut off.

“Oh, this is about last night?” Her hands fluttered, a nervous energy about her. “Don’t worry about it. I got your message. It’s not a big deal.”

Not a big deal.

Her tone stung, her words slicing neatly through me. I swallowed my immediate irritation over her choice of words.

“Lia, I didn’t mean to be harsh. I just… maybe we shouldn’t start something that could ruin things, you know? You’re too important to me.”

“Huh?”

Her incredulous gaze was starting to give me second thoughts about how I wanted to play this, but I pressed on. “You know… we’ve been friends for too long to change gears now.”

She stared at me, her expression unreadable. “Let me get this straight. What happened the other night can’t happen because I’m too important?”

I nodded, swallowing hard against the tightness in my throat. “Exactly. If we start something out of curiosity, it might ruin our friendship. We need to be sure.”