Page 109 of Lethal Attraction

“That’s enough,” Dom barks.

“No, let him finish,” Theo replies coldly.

Liam smirks. “You think they love you because you’re special?”

Bailey’s face pales as she mutters quietly. “What?”

“They love the title.” Liam finishes with a smug expression.

Theo moves so fast nobody sees it. One second he’s standing beside Dom and the next his fist is buried in Liam’s shirt. “Say that again,” he hisses.

Liam’s eyes widen as his hand shoots to Theo’s wrist.

The blonde assassin’s voice is deadly quiet. “Say one more thing about her.”

The entire parking lot falls silent at the intense scene. No one makes a move out of fear of setting Theo off, but his hands are shaking with fury as they tighten on the civilian before him.

Liam laughs nervously. “Are you proving my point right now?”

“No,” Theo steps closer. “I’m proving that I watched her carry everyone else’s weight. I watched her save people who never thanked her. I watched her nearly die.” His voice cracks on the last word as if it’s painful for him to force out. “And I watched her crawl back to her feet every single time.”

Bailey stops breathing as Theo’s eyes find hers for half a second. The look in them is devastating.

“So don’t stand there pretending you know her,” Theo whispers.

Liam’s confidence begins to crumble as his hands fall to his sides. Dom steps beside his friend in silent, strong agreement. They’re united on the blonde’s stance, and it’s terrifying in its intensity.

“You want to know what pisses me off?” Dom asks.

Liam stays silent.

Dom points at Bailey. “She became the head of the South Branch because nobody else could do it.”

Bailey shakes her head as her lips wobble with unshed tears.“Dom—”

“No,” his gaze never leaves Liam as he continues. “She took over when everyone else was too scared; she rebuilt entire operations; she kept hundreds of people alive, and instead of being proud of her, you spend every day trying to make her feel guilty.”

Liam looks between them, then at Bailey as if she’s going to help him. “You seriously believe this?”

She doesn’t answer because the tears gathering in her eyes say enough.

Theo notices them first, and his entire expression changes. He softens for her. “Bailey.”

She immediately looks away, overwhelmed by what’s happening.

Theo’s voice drifts toward her. “You don’t deserve this.”

Liam scoffs. “Oh, spare me.”

Theo whirls. “No. You don’t get to talk anymore.”

“Oh, I have plenty to say,” Liam sneers as he shoves the blonde away. “Bailey, when you’re done living this stupid fantasy, you know where to find me. In our home. That we built together.”

The South branch leader sniffs. “I’m so tired.”

“Then be tired with me,” her fiancé exclaims as he places a hand over his chest. “Come home.”

She shakes her head with a scoff. “You still don’t get it. You would be waking up beside a corpse, Liam.”