Page 30 of Lethal Attraction

“Ah, Burton!” He corrects with a tilt of his head.

“Burton,” I grind my teeth. “You can’t expect me to believe you’re connected with assassins. Have you ever heard of a pyramid scheme?”

The lengths these scammers are going to now is just ridiculous. I mean, assassins! Come on.

He makes an egregious sound as he snatches my shoulders tightly. “You’re not listening to me, Reed.”

“I am,” I shrug. “And I think I’ve heard enough—”

Before I can pry his hands off me for a second time, he releases me to dig his phone out of his jacket pocket. “I’ll prove it to you!”

I rest my head back against the wall as I wait for him to finish what he’s doing. He presses a number in his call log, and the sound of the dial tone fills the hallway as we wait for someone to answer.

On the second ring, a rough, southern voice fills the speaker. “Hello?”

“Brooks!” Burton greets boisterously, but their conversation is lost on me as the name of the person on the other end makes awareness tickle at the back of my neck.

Brooks?

As in…

Oh, there’s a normie here, so that’s why I’m whispering. In a hospital. Brooks shot me.

Thalia’s conversation from the supply closet slams into me as I force myself to tune into the conversation. My brow furrows as a flurry of emotions flips through my psyche.

Maybe it’s another Brooks?

What are the odds of this being the same person who shot Thalia?

I’m overthinking things…

“I told you to only call if it’s an emergency,” the voice snaps on the phone.

Burton winces. “I know, but if you want more people on your side, more money, then you need to make connections! I have a doctor here, Reed Bellamy, who doesn’t believe that the syndicate is real.”

“And what can Dr. Bellamy do for my cause?” Brooks challenges. “You’re supposed to be gathering actual fucking supporters, Langford. Don’t make me release—”

Burton slaps his hand over the speaker before turning away from me. His voice is a harsh whisper as he tries to block me from hearing. “Please, Brooks. Those files can’t see the light of day. Yes, I know, but Reed would be an asset to have on your team. Think of the free medical care from a professional…”

Okay, I’ve definitely heard enough.

I have no idea what files my boss is talking about, and part of me doesn’t think I want to know. He’s offering my services for free to this total stranger, and I’m not comfortable with that.

“Burton—” I go to stop Langford from embarrassing himself further until Brooks says something that makes me stop cold.

“He could be a fucking spy for Thalia Kingsley. That woman shouldn’t be underestimated.”

I don’t think as I lunge forward and rip the phone from Burton’s hands. My glare could cut fucking glass as I squeeze the device tightly in my fist. “Keep her name out of your fucking mouth.”

There’s a low, condescending chuckle from Brooks. “You have no idea who Thalia is. Let the adults talk while you tend to your patients, Doctor.”

I turn my back on Burton, whose face has drained of all its color as he stares horrified at me. “You could have killed her,” I seethe.

Brooks hums distractedly. “Oh, yeah? Why don’t you ask your patient about our time together?”

The world around me ceases to exist as I become entirely focused on not losing my cool on the man who hurt Thalia.

“Have you heard the little sounds she makes when she’s about to cum? It’s like music to my fucking ears.” He goads connivingly.