11. Thalia
Chapter eleven
Thalia
Did I say car shopping?
Reed looks like he’s ready to pop a blood vessel as I toss my leg over a shiny, black Kawasaki Ninja. The bike is what wet dreams are made of, as the salesman explains the features to me in great detail.
“You really can’t go wrong with this one,” the younger guy beams as if his pay is dependent on making this sale.
Reed places his hands on his sides as he deadpans at me. “You’re not getting a motorcycle.”
I stare him dead in the eyes as I kick the stand up and test the weight.
“Thalia,” he warns.
“How much?” I ask the salesman, whose eyes are flickering between me and my date.
“Um,” he clears his throat. “Maybe I should give you and your husband a minute to talk about it?”
“He isn’t my husband—”
“Thank you. One moment,” Reed interjects, sending the employee back to his office. My date turns to face me, scowling. “No. You’re not getting this.”
“Oh, come on!” I plead. “Don’t I look sexy?”
“Ravishing,” he says as he crosses his arms. “But I want you to make it there in one piece.”
“I want the bike,” I mope.
Reed steps closer, leaning down. “I will buy you a car if you get off that thing.” There’s so much promise and desperation in his eyes that it makes my mirth fade. “I’m just…worried.”
I cross my arms over the handlebars as I lean closer to him. “You’re so hot when you get protective.”
He points a finger in my face. “Don’t do that. Don’t deflect.”
I smile before nipping at him. “Please, Dr. Dreamy.” I bat my eyelashes, really laying on the charm.
Reed draws back, scrubbing a hand through his hair messily as he mutters to himself. “Why can’t I tell you no? Fine! But you need a helmet, knee pads, gloves, and a suit. I won’t take any argument on that.”
He helps me pick out everything, testing to make sure my helmet is the right size and my gloves fit snugly. As he dotes on me, it warms my chest in a way I’ve never experienced before. This whole afternoon has been a dream, and I find myself not wanting to leave…
I wish Brooks would just fuck right off. Why did he have to choose now, of all times, to exact his revenge?
“You’re all set,” the salesman smiles as he sends us off.
I walk the bike outside and Reed checks everything before I get on. As the engine purrs to life beneath me, it doesn’t give me as much excitement as I thought it would.
Reed reaches over, slapping my visor up before grabbing the inside of my helmet and making me look at him. “You have my number. Text me as soon as you make it back. Do you understand?”
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
He closes his eyes. “Fuck, don’t say that to me.”
I lean up further, silently asking for a kiss. I don’t know what I’m doing, but my heart won’t let me leave here without something.
“No,” Reed says quietly as he brushes a thumb over my cheek. “That feels too much like a goodbye, and I want another date.”
Fractals explode in me, dancing around as my stomach flutters. I stare at him in quiet wonder as he releases me.
“Drive safe. Text me,” he says, stepping back.
As I pull away from the car lot, it feels like something tugs deep in my chest—a tether that’s connected to the man I left behind. The night is as empty as I feel, and the hollowness only grows the further I get from New York.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Rowan snaps as soon as I walk into the living room of his home.
Everyone is already waiting, and about twenty sets of eyes stray to me. Alana is one of them, giving me a silent thumbs-up as I set my motorcycle helmet down on the kitchen island.
“I got a motorcycle,” I beam.
Bailey stands across the room in her white tank top that highlights her perfect tits as her long, blonde curls softly fall over her shoulders.
Flanking her are a few of the higher-ranking assassins from the South branch, and Theo sits near her as he posts up on the coffee table.
Dom is behind her, using the wall as support as he waits for our meeting to start.
Atlas is seated on the sofa, his very pregnant wife beside him and his arm flung around her shoulder. “What kind?”
“Kawasaki,” I answer before joining them.
Addison pinches Rowan’s lips together when he opens his mouth to fuss at me. “That’s awesome! You’ve been wanting a new bike.”
My oldest brother looks seconds away from developing stress-induced hypertension. He takes a deep breath through his nose, kisses Addison’s fingers like she’s the only thing tethering him to sanity, and addresses the room. “Alright. Everyone is accounted for. Bailey, the floor is yours.”
She steps forward, her dirty boots scuffing the rug as her country twang fills the living room. “Alana was able to track down Brooks’ location, but he’s been using a series of burner phones to hide away. His last known point of origin is New York.”
Huh. What are the fucking odds?
Al’s eyes shift to me before returning to Bailey. “I have a series of phone calls and texts that need to be sorted, but I’m sure there’s something there.”
Theo pushes up from his spot before slinging an arm across Bailey’s shoulders. “Then let’s hear ’em.”
The South branch leader brushes him off. “Play whatever you have. I’m sure we can piece together what he’s planning.”
Connor helps his wife flip through audio and text messages, reading important information out as it comes up.
Everything kind of blends together, but it’s obvious the ex-assassin is making moves to grow his funding.
He took about six other professionals with him when he left the South Branch’s grounds, and he’s rallying whoever he can to make headway with his big plans.
As Alana clicks through another phone call, something pings for us. Everyone sits up, getting closer to the device as Brooks talks with some guy who owns a hospital.
“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.”
My eyes saucer as Alana slaps a hand over the pause button like she’s trying to save my life. She laughs nervously. “This one doesn’t seem too important—”
“Are you shitting me?” Atlas shifts forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “This one seems the most important. Who the fuck is Reed Bellamy and why would he have anything to do with this?”
Alana’s eyes are wide and alarmed as they shift to me. My heart? It’s in my ass as we speak.
“Maybe he’s another connection?” Loxley suggests, with a hand resting over her big belly. “It sounds like this man, Burton, is trying to convince Brooks that he’s important.”
Fuck, fuck, double fuck.
“It’s probably nothing!” I say, my voice squeaking as it becomes high-pitched.
Atlas narrows his eyes. The man has the attention span of a hazelnut, but unfortunately, he knows exactly when I’m hiding something.
“Let’s finish this audio and see what we can compile,” Bailey decides.
Everyone else in the room is in agreement as I try to slink back to the counter. I’m slowly edging my way towards my helmet as all hell breaks loose on the phone call.
“Don’t make me release—” Brooks threatens.
There’s a commotion from the other end before Burton begins speaking in a hushed, quick tone. “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…”
Holy shit.
They’re trying to get Dr. Dreamy to offer free care? I don’t have the time to dwell on this! Not when my family is super close to finding out far more than I’m willing to divulge. That’s another problem for another day.
I’ve almost reached my helmet when Brooks’ voice sends chills down my spine.
“He could be a fucking spy for Thalia Kingsley. That woman shouldn’t be underestimated.”
That makes my stomach churn. It’s obvious they’re trying to rope Reed into something he shouldn’t be a part of, and bitter resentment stabs me. I never want this lifestyle to hurt him.
It’s why I need to cut things off. Before—
“Keep her name out of your fucking mouth.” Reed’s fierce voice projects through the speaker.
My heart slams as my lips part in disbelief. The whole room falls silent as a verbal battle is exchanged between my ex and my new man. Fling? Ugh, I don’t know!
“Pause it,” Rowan orders as he waves a hand. Loxley and Addison are already staring at me with wide grins, and I want to sink into the fucking ground.
My oldest brother glares at me from across the room. “Anything you would like to share with the class?”
“Nope,” I rock back on my heels before snatching my helmet. “Great meeting, guys. I’ll catch you later—”
As I try to sneak past, Rowan grabs the neckline of my suit, pulling me back into the living room as I close my eyes.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Loxley asks excitedly. “Al, did you know about this?”
“I plead the Fifth,” my best friend says.
“You did!” Addison accuses.
Bailey lifts a brow at me. “A doctor, huh?”
I bury my face in my hands as I groan. “It isn’t like that—”
“Sure it isn’t,” Theo smirks. “He only defended your honor and basically told Brooks he rearranged your guts professionally. No big deal.”
Bailey slaps the back of his head. “Her brothers are here.”
Theo fixes his glasses as he winks at her. “They already know, Princess. The whole room does now.”
“And we’re rightfully traumatized,” Atlas mutters.
Rowan pinches the bridge of his nose. “From the conversation, it’s obvious Reed isn’t buying Brooks’ story. It seems like he’s a skeptic on the syndicate being real.”
All eyes shift to me.
“What?” I snap defensively.
Rowan gives me a stern expression. “Is this serious between the two of you?”
Oh, no.
He wants to talk about my love life in front of the others. I would rather fistfight a fucking bear.
“Can we not do this in a room full of people?” I mutter.
Bailey takes the hint, rallying everyone else. “Let’s take a break and give them some space.”
Theo and Dom follow after her like some lost puppies, and the other assassins she brought file out onto the porch. When it’s just my family left, everyone waits for me to answer.