Page 80 of Lethal Attraction

I hold up my hands to apologize until I notice the gentle cursive at the base of his throat.

Loxley.

Where have I heard that name?

I frown. “I’m sorry, but do I know you?”

He chuckles. “Nah, if you did, you’d be dead already.”

My eyes widen at how familiar that sounds. Then I take in the black hair, the pale blue eyes, the tattoo…

“Atlas?” I ask.

His brows jump as the mirth dissipates from his expression. “Oh, fuck.”

The fucker tries to dip back into the crowd, and I grab the back of his suit.

“You’re Thalia’s brother, aren’t you?” I push as I trail behind him.

“Never heard of her!” He calls back.

“I know already!” I shout, making him stop. My chest heaves as I swallow. “I know everything.”

He rests his head back against his shoulders before turning to face me with a stern expression. “Then you probably know things are about to get ugly quick. Word of advice? Get out of here while you still have a chance.”

I stand my ground while shaking my head. “That’s not going to happen. I…” My words trail as I try to find the right thing to say before clarity washes over me. My eyes meet his as conviction infects me. “I feel very strongly about your sister. Nothing is ever going to change that. I’m staying, and that’s final.”

At first, he doesn’t react. He almost looks bored until his lips tug upward slowly. “I knew you’d fit right in. Welcome to the family, Reed.”

I release a breath. “Thank you. Now, if you don’t mind, could you point me in the direction of my date for the evening? Brooks is lurking around here and I don’t want him trying anything.”

Atlas winces at something behind me. “May be a little too late for that…”

I whip around, my heart plummeting at the sight of Brooks forcing Thalia onto the dance floor. To anyone else, they look like a couple smitten with each other, but I can see her uncomfortable signals. His hand is biting into her waist too sharply, and she’s keeping her body angled away from him as much as possible. The sneer on her face tells me everything I need to know about this situation.

I stalk towards them, my whole attention becoming centered on the stunning woman in blood-red. Her dress has long, elegant sleeves that lengthen the closer they get to her hands, and the neckline stops at the base of her throat. Behind her, a trail of maroon follows.

Brooks is whispering vehemently to her, and he makes one mistake. He spins her out of his grip, and I catch her without any missteps before gliding her away as I block him from her sight. I gently rest my hand on her waist before her fingers curl warmly around mine and she stares up at me through thick lashes.

“Reed,” she smiles like I’m her favorite person in the whole world, and it does things to my pounding heart.

“I’m here,” I whisper softly as we sway to the music.

Thalia curls a hand into the lapel of my jacket, her eyes raking over my attire appreciatively. “You clean up so nice…”

“Me?” I chuckle before spinning her and becoming breathless at the vision she is. “You’re radiant. As always.”

She giggles low, tucking her head as the apples of her cheeks turn red. Her eyes shift upward to mine, and everything around us slows. “I need you to listen to me, okay?”

I nod.

Her gaze flickers to the edge of the dance floor, and I follow. There, just a few feet away, stands a man who looks familiar. Not in the sense that I know him, but that I know someone related to him. He has the most likeness in features to Thalia, the same mouth and eye shape. Only his hair is buzzed short, and he doesn’t look as decorated as her second to oldest brother.

He gives us a subtle nod before disappearing into the crowd. My pulse quickens as I finally take in the gravity of the situation. All around us are people—not partygoers, but hitmen. They linger and hide out in the large crowds, waiting in silence to strike.

It should terrify me.

I should want to leave while I still can.