Page 132 of Lethal Attraction

The truck collides with him, clipping the assassin’s side and taking off his right arm as it drags his body beside it. The driver slams on the brakes as Brooks screams for mercy, causing them to skid to a stop a few feet away.

Rowan emerges from the trees, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me back into the brush as we watch the scene unfold. Brooks is still alive—for now—as the driver frantically dials emergency services.

“Wait, I need—”

Rowan stops me. “No. It’s done. Let’s leave while we still can. Nature will take its course.”

I pull against him, Reed’s handsome face flashing in my head as concern grips me. “What if he doesn’t die? What if—”

My brother takes my shoulders, turning me to face him as he softens. “It’s over, Thalia. They’re all gone. You don’t have to keep fighting anymore.”

My lips wobble as tears sting the bridge of my nose. “But Reed…”

“Is okay,” Rowan nods. “He’s fine.”

I crumble for the first time since this all started. My knees buckle and my whole body lurches forward. Rowan catches me before sinking to the ground with me held tightly to his chest. My tears flow as sobs wrack me, and all I can do is mourn what could have been.

What I gave up.

Chapter thirty-eight

Thalia

Two Days Later

Atlas and Alana haven’t left my side since everything concluded. My best friend holds my hand tightly, her eyes softening every time she looks at me. My brother stays glued to my side, his arms crossed over his chest as he talks with Logan and Ford about the clean-up detail that’s been sweeping through the woods for the last two days.

Rowan offered an olive branch to those who were a part of the Western branch—if they pledged their loyalty to the Midwestern branch, they could stay. If not, then they were executed. Most chose the latter, of course, but the few who didn’t have been helping out with the cleanup efforts.

But everything is a distant hum to me. This is all over. We’ve fought in a literal war, yet I can’t stop thinking about him.

Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Reed. The tears won’t stop and I can’t even pull myself together long enough to listen to what’s being said around me. It’s too much…

Alana squeezes my hand, shunting me back to the present as she steps away. “I have something I need to do. Are you okay to hang out here with Atlas?”

I nod numbly as she slips through the crowd and snatches Connor by his collar before dragging him to the sidelines. They talk quietly and quickly, Connor’s eyes flickering to me before he nods at his wife’s request, and they disappear.

I don’t have the energy to even wonder…

Atlas checks his phone. “What time are you picking Morgan and Addison up from the train station tomorrow?”

Ford clears his throat. “They booked the first trip. Rowan’s request.”

Logan snorts. “That’s his way of saying we’ll be up at five in the morning to get them.”

My brother chuckles. “Same here.”

At least there’s one thing to look forward to. Little Sophia.

“Can I come with you?” I ask quietly.

Atlas softens. “Of course.”

Everything begins to wrap up as we take note of the wounded. We lost a few assassins, but nothing compared to the Western branch’s numbers. Almost all of Brooks’s followers are gone, and that’s the only thing that gives me a moment of reprieve.

My family is safe. Reed is safe.

No matter how heartbroken I am, knowing that he isn’t a target anymore makes me let go of some of the anger and frustration.