Cameron couldn''t help butugh. "If Eddie heard how you described him, I doubt he''d be ttered."


    Bradley adjusted his sses without missing a beat. "I''m just stating facts."


    Cameron raised an eyebrow but said nothing.


    Bradley stood, grabbing his jacket. "Get some rest. Let me know if you need anything."


    She nodded, watching him leave.


    As Bradley stepped out of the building and descended in the elevator, the moment he reached the courtyard, he saw Austin.


    Sitting alone on a bench directly in his path, Austin looked calm, collected-backed by Vincent and four bodyguards standing respectfully behind him. The whole setup screamed control and power.


    Bradley came to a stop right in front of him, his tone level and unreadable. "Waiting for me?"


    Austin didn''t answer. Instead, he looked to Vincent and said, "Have them back off about 300 feet."


    Vincent hesitated. "Sir..."


    Austin''s voice dropped cold and sharp. "Did I stutter?"


    Vincent immediately obeyed, gesturing for the bodyguards to follow him. Still, they lingered just far enough to monitor the situation.


    Though it waste, the neighborhood lights kept everything bright and clear. The two stood face to face under amp post.


    Bradley nced up, lips curling slightly. "Feels good, doesn''t it? Being the guy in charge."


    Austin ignored the jab. "You finished talking with Cam?"


    Bradley nodded. "As you can see."


    Austin''s voice hardened. "You feeling pretty proud of yourself, huh?“,


    Bradley didn''t flinch. "Is that what it looks like to you?"


    Austin scoffed, "Bradley, you and Cam are just roommates. I''ve been through life- and-death with him. You really think you canpare to that?"


    Bradley''s smile didn''t fade. "Is that how you''reforting yourself?"


    Austin''s expression darkened. Bradley, as always, stayed perfectlyposed.


    "I''m notforting myself," Austin said coldly. "I''m telling you the truth."


    Bradley gave a calm nod. "Noted. You and Cameron have a life-and-death bond. Anything else you''d like to say?"


    Austin blinked.


    ''That''s it?''


    He expected Bradley to get defensive. To pry. to challenge the im.


    Instead, the guy barely reacted.


    He stared at Bradley, trying to provoke something. "Bradley, I''m Cameron''s best friend. And I''d like to think I''m his best friend too."


    10:07 Thu 12 Jun


    th? l


    Bradley offered a mild smile. "Hope it works out for you,"


    Then he turned and walked away without another word. Austin''s jaw tightened.


    Bradley''s indifference was infuriating. It was like throwing a punch and hitting air.


    Austin already hadn''t been in a great mood, but now his face was stone cold.


    ''Bradley thinks he can take Cam from me? Not a chance.''


    Vincent and the others returned quickly once Bradley was gone.


    "Sir, are you alright?" Vincent asked cautiously.


    Austin snapped, "Do I look like I''m not?" Vincent frowned at Bradley''s retreating figure. "Was it him? Want me to handle it?"


    Austin paused and then looked at Vincent. His voice dropped to a near-whisper.


    "Handle it?"


    ''Bradley? If I wanted him gone, he''d be gone. Simple as that.''


    A bitter smirk tugged at his mouth. "No need."


    He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Xander.


    Meanwhile, back at his own vi, Bradley walked through the front door without a hint of tension.


    Austin didn''t matter.


    Because Bradley knew, with certainty, that he was different to Cameron.


    Whatever "life-and-death" drama Austin wanted to boast about, none of it


    changed the fact that Cameron had chosen to message him. If that kind of bond was so deep, then why wasn''t Austin the one she called back?


    Bradley pulled out his phone and dialed Eddie''s number.