Page 132 of The Bonding Games: Part 2

That took too long to think, Vengeance, Cooper immediately sends back, though I feel his relief and happiness along with the rest of the guys’.

I was simply wondering where we should stay. I do not like to make promises I cannot keep, so I wanted a place in mind. But of course you will not be leaving me. You will stay right by my side. I should think it would be obvious you will be living with me.

Fuck yes, Havoc. Where’ve you got in mind? Tate’s voice is an excited, deep rumble in her head as we reach the lift and file inside after a scan of Ezla’s thumb. It’s promising that we’ve made it this far without issue; clearly, Joseph hasn’t removed Ez’s fingerprint from the biometric scanners, so it’s looking like we’ll be able to get into the penthouse easily, too. Then again, last time it was so easy, it was a trap.

Last time, you did not have me. I will see a trap coming from a mile off, Deadly Nightshade replies to my thoughts rather than Tate, who grumbles both internally and under his breath to emphasise his displeasure to the world.

Unlike the secret ones we’ve learned about, there’s a visible camera in the corner of this plain metal box. Its lens sears into my skin to scream at me that I’m being watched by The Council, and so we keep our conversation private in our Bonded’s mind, Scotty asking as she scans her thumb for access to the top floor, And what if it is one?

Then you will get yourselves out of there without question.

A mess of protests rise up all at once, and it’s too chaotic to make out.

Shut up, Ezla snaps. I need to think clearly. Do not throw so much noise into my head.

It’s silent in an instant.

After a moment, she says, I have allowed you to come with me, but I will not allow you to be harmed. Despite my father’s recent . . . unsteadiness, he is still clever. He would come for you, and I cannot know exactly what he has planned when I am so far from him these days.

Cooper’s snort echoes through her head. Yeah, fuck that, HC. I’ll do a hell of a lot for you, but leave you in danger, no matter how well you can handle yourself? Absolutely not.

A slow glare is slid his way.

Unflinching, he stares right back at her as we rise higher and higher in the lift. No, Vengeance. I’m not budging on this.

Before DN can decide that maybe she does want him dead after all, I quickly put in, We’ve got better Scores now! Look how much darker Alby’s suit is! I whip a finger in my bestie’s direction, eyes huge.

Pursing her lips, Ez’s mismatched eyes shift over to him.

Alby flushes darkly at the slow roam of her gaze over his Avri suit—his dark-green-embellished Avri suit. He has to be late 70s at least, but I think my bestie might’ve even got into the 80s. His performance in Game 5 was without a doubt the best yet, even if we did have a mad dash at the end.

Hm.

Small sighs puff into the air. That was definitely an acquiescing hum.

Thank you, Love.

Her response comes tonelessly: I will kill you if anything happens to you.

Cooper scoffs. Nice try.

A growl vibrates the bond.

After that, there’s silence until Ezla says, I will leave this world in ruins if anything happens to one of you.

The air seems to still, my lungs breaking down.

I hear Scotty swallow. Now that . . . I can believe.

***

“We must split up.”

“No fucking way—”

“No, my beast. We must. This penthouse is too large, and we have too little time. Joseph will return in forty-five minutes.” Ez’s expression is uncompromising.

Fists balling, Tate’s jaw grinds.