Page 120 of Lethal Attraction

“I doubt that.”

I give him a sickly sweet smile before turning towards Rowan’s truck and kicking the tailgate open to reveal Crystal’s remains. She’s slumped on her left side, her arm hanging limply in front of her, her eyes open, and the perfect bullet hole in her forehead.

“Let’s just say,” I muse as I squat down next to her and tilt my head at the men, “it runs in the family. Don’t you think so?”

Vincent’s jaw shifts once. “That’s all I needed to see.” He turns on his heel before stopping and motioning to Rowan. “My people will get with yours on the location. In the meantime, teach her where her place lies.”

“How about I just put you in the fucking ground now?” Rowan says easily.

Vincent laughs, the sound deep and haughty. “Don’t count on it. You kids have some big dreams.”

“I’m going to mount your head over my fucking fireplace,” Atlas smirks after them, making eye contact with Brooks.

The sly rat winks. “Bailey, if you want to wave the white flag—”

“How about I kill you instead and shove it down your throat?” She rolls her eyes.

“Very well,” he shrugs before jogging to catch up with Vincent. We stay behind, waiting for them to disappear back up the dirt road as the tension leaves with them.

Rowan hangs his head, his hands at his sides as his lips pull over his teeth. “Motherfucker!”

I get back home late, stopping in my driveway as I stare up at the second story where a single light is on. I can see Reed’s shadow in the window as he moves, and my chest constricts as my eyes water.

“You don’t have to do this, you know?” Rowan says quietly from behind me. “We can think of something else.”

My eyes screw shut as the pain pierces me. The plan is already in motion. My brother will play the biggest part in it because I’m a coward. I know I won’t be able to stand the look of betrayal on Reed’s face.

This is already gutting me deep.

I lift my head with a sniffle, drying my eyes. “No. There’s no other way.”

Rowan places a gentle hand on my shoulder, turning me to face him before he crushes me to his chest. “It doesn’t have to be permanent, Thalia—“

A broken sound leaves me, and my fingers curl tightly into his shirt. “I-I can’t be the reason he gets hurt, Row. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself…”

My brother goes rigid before resting his head on mine. “I know. I know exactly how you feel.”

I release him, swiping my tears away. “When does the train leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“He’ll be there,” I say solemnly.

Rowan scratches the back of his neck before motioning to me. “Is there any way I can convince you not to do this? You deserve happiness too, Thal. We all do.”

I shake my head, giving him a wobbly smile that doesn’t feel right. Nothing about this feels right anymore. “I…I can’t lose him. It would kill me, Rowan. I don’t want to become—”

“Like her,” he finishes. “If you change your mind, you know where to find him.”

My deep breath is ragged and stunted as my heart shatters on the steps of my home. “I won’t.”

My brother gives me one last lingering look, his concern dragging his features down. “Just think about it, okay?”

I wave him off, trying to keep it together so I don’t worry Reed too much. But it’s hard when it feels like someone is ripping out my entire chest and sending it off to Cincinnati.

This is for the best.

He can live a normal life. Get a normal girlfriend and never have to look back.