Page 135 of Lethal Attraction

They laugh, completely unaware of the relief their story has just brought me.

“Burton,” I say quietly. “His name was Burton Langford. I…I used to work for him.”

Everything goes silent—the laughter dying down awkwardly.

Way to bring the mood down, Reed.

“We’re sorry to hear that,” someone says.

“Don’t be,” I close my eyes, knowing there’s some peace in him being locked up where he can’t reach my girl.

Because even after all of this, she’s still mine.

She could rip my heart out a million times and stomp on it and I would still be this—the desperate fucker pining for her attention because she’s the only person who ever made me feel so alive.

Is that pathetic? Maybe. But I’m pathetic for her. Her smile, her laugh, her.

Even if she doesn’t want me…

I’m forever trapped—remaining right where she left me. Loyal until the very end. Even though every text and call goes unanswered, I’m still here, forever waiting for the day she realizes…

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I reach for it before I can stop myself. My heart trips until I see a new email about a healthcare convention that’s two hours away from here. I close my eyes, stilling my pulse before I flick open my messages to Thalia.

Thalia, please answer me.

Don’t do this.

At least let me know you’re okay!

I can’t stop thinking about you. I hope everything went well.

Did you block me? None of my calls will go through.

Fuck, I miss you so much…

Heels click across the floor in my direction, and I don’t bother looking up at Taryn. Not even when her movements seem frantic and quick-paced.

“Reed—”

I hold up a hand as I pocket my phone. “Please, I told you I need time.”

“Just listen to me,” she begs as she looms over me.

“I’m not in the mood to talk—”

She takes my cheeks in her hands, forcing me to lock eyes with her. There’s something pleasing and urgent in her gaze that makes me go on high alert.

“ICU. There’s a new transfer.” She intones.

One beat.

“What?” I whisper.

She gets close, staring me dead in the eyes. “ICU. There’s a new transfer, Reed.”

My heart trips. Breathing becomes impossible as I abandon everything. I fly out of the ER, throwing the emergency doors open before b-lining for the elevators. One second, I’m walking. Next, I’m in a full sprint before I slap the buttons on the elevator’s panel for the ICU.

When it doesn’t come fast enough, I shove my hands through my hair before retreating to the stairs. I take them two at a time, my lungs burning as I push past floor after floor in a panic.