Page 69 of Lethal Attraction

She blinks a few times before her surprise morphs into something dangerous and almost…obsessive. That’s the only way I can explain the intensity in her gaze. “Are you trying to help me live a longer life, Reed?”

I swallow. “W-well yes.”

She hums, lowering her eyelids into that siren stare that could trap any mortal soul. “I think I like you taking care of me.”

The breath skates past my lips before I answer her quietly. “And I think I really enjoy taking care of you, Thalia.”

The moment stretches between us, and I realize that I would do this for a lifetime if she would have me. I would wake up every day and be at her beck and call—breakfast, emotional support, a chest to sleep on, an ear to listen. Anything.

“Saying things like that is dangerous,” she croons.

My mouth twitches. “Then I don’t want to be safe.”

There’s a flicker in her expression. I’ve seen it before. Like apprehension that doesn’t fully win over. She’s still holding onto whatever happened in her past, and it fucking pains me to know I can’t just reach inside of her and rip it out like I would do on the operating table. This kind of healing is far slower and involves the utmost trust and patience. I have enough for both of us.

I clear my throat, sensing the change in the atmosphere, and decide to bring up something that’s been bothering me. “So, do you care to talk about why Brooks is trying to kill you?”

She sobers, only to groan at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. “That falls into the category of showing you what I’m about. If I told you the truth now…”

She doesn’t finish her sentence, but I fill in the gaps myself. She’s afraid it’s going to drive me away.

I nod. “Then at least explain what happened.”

She sighs, staring down at the counter as she becomes wrapped up in something I can’t see—a day terror. “My parents weren’t good people…” She takes a shaky breath as her hand tightens into a fist on the counter. “Brooks knew that, and he used it against me. I thought he liked me. I was young and dumb. He saw an opportunity and took it. That resulted in him hurting me and causing my parents to hurt me too.”

My heart stops.

They hurt her?

The people who are supposed to love her unconditionally hurt her?

Anger bubbles through my veins. I didn’t know the extent of it all until now, but this changes things. I don’t just want to fucking punch her ex. I want him to suffer for what he did.

“What happened?” I ask quietly, keeping my rage from seeping into my voice.

She swallows before lifting a hand to her elbow and picking at her skin. “It’s really hard for me to talk about this stuff, but I want to.” Her eyes shift up to me. “Just know, I don’t want pity, Reed.”

I shake my head quickly. “I don’t see anyone to pity. I see someone who’s been through a lot and is still standing.”

Her expression softens into melancholy. “Do you really think that about me?”

“Of course I do,” I say with conviction. I abandon our breakfast before turning to give her my full attention. “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. You’re fiercely independent and intelligent. You don’t need anyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t accept those who want to help.”

She gives a low, quiet chuckle. “Always so emotionally stable. You really were made in the perfect man factory.”

My lips quirk. “Thank you, I think?”

She sighs, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of her words is too heavy for one person to bear alone. “My parents were…abusive. They felt the only way to strengthen their children was through brute force. It was the only life my siblings, and I ever knew.”

I’m glad her father is dead. He deserved far worse, and I hope he suffered. Her mother is a different story. I know she’s still alive, but if the look on Thalia’s face is anything to go by, they’re no contact.

“Brooks knew this,” she continues heavily. “I allowed myself to open up to him because he convinced me that he was somehow different—that he saw me and not the pretty face my mother claimed I was. Being the first speck of attention that didn’t belittle or make me feel insecure, I pursued him too. At first, things were normal. We would go out on dates and see each other regularly. I had no idea he was planning something so fucked up. I still have nightmares about it to this day.”

This pains her. I can see it in her body language and the despondency in her eyes. She’s fought with this for a long time, and I’m cracking that wound open again—refreshing it.

“You don’t have to tell me what he did,” I say quickly, becoming protective of her. It’s clear that whatever he did was messed up, and I refuse to shove her back into that horror. If she isn’t ready, then I won’t push.

Her lips quirk slightly, but it doesn’t erase the sadness inside her. “I will eventually, but not today. He really did a number on me. He and my mom.”