Page 138 of Lethal Attraction

I lean down. “I don’t want your pathetic fucking promises. I want you dead.”

My hand curls into one of the free pillows before I shove it over his face and press down as hard as I can. His body jolts and something that sounds like a poor excuse of a scream is muffled by the fabric as he thrashes jerkily. I keep holding, making sure my hands are covering his mouth and nose so he can’t breathe.

The five minutes it takes feels like a lifetime. When he’s completely still, no more signs of a struggle or even brain activity, I ease off of him. I remove the pillow before lifting my finger under his nose and waiting.

No breathing.

Just to make sure, I check the pulse in his neck, confirming that he’s gone. I step back, taking everything in as I come to terms with the fact that I just killed someone.

But I did it for her.

There’s no guilt or even shame. I feel…accomplished. A little hungry, too.

“I gotta get the fuck out of here,” I mutter before leaving the room and never looking back.

As I walk the halls, I discard parts of my uniform—my cufflinks, my coat, and my stethoscope. I don’t care about the odd looks I’m receiving as I make it down to the ER and pull Taryn aside.

“What’s going on?” She asks.

“Get your shit together,” I command. “We’re leaving.”

Her eyes widen. “What?”

“We’re leaving,” I say slowly. “Go back to your apartment, grab Emma, pack your shit, and meet me in Columbus.”

She blinks in shock before nodding. “Okay, okay, let me grab my stuff.”

“I have to go,” I say as I backpedal out of the ER. “I have an assassin I have to woo.”

She smiles. “Go get her, Casanova!”

She doesn’t have to tell me twice.

I run out to the parking lot, my eyes scanning until they land on a man kicking his leg over a motorcycle.

Fuck it. What’s adding grand theft auto to my list of charges?

“Hey, can I borrow this?” I ask loudly as the man revs the engine.

“Huh?” he hums, the sound muffled by his helmet.

“Sorry,” I wince before slapping my hands over his shoulders and plucking him off the vehicle. He tries to fight, but I snatch his helmet and get on.

“HEY!” he shouts after me, but I’m already pulling out of the parking lot.

Chapter forty

Reed

Three hours on the road with no stops is all worth it when the compound comes into view. It’s well hidden among the acreage outside of Columbus, and I don’t slow down as I kick up dust along the connecting roads. I get a few side-eyes from people who are loitering outside. Theo has no idea it’s even me, but he waves like an excited kid as I fly by.

I spot Thalia’s house, the black roof standing out among the others. Then I see her.

She’s about to walk up the steps, but she never makes it as I slide the bike along the rocks and she whips around. Maybe that isn’t the best option because my leg almost gets caught as I fight to not embarrass myself further in front of the woman I love.

“Who the fuck—Reed?” Thalia gasps when I toss the helmet aside.

I point to the steps of her porch with a stern expression. “Sit down. You’re going to listen to me. Do you understand?”