“You want us to celebrate the man who nearly killed us,” Atlas growls.
His mom waves a dismissive hand. “You’re all so dramatic. It wastraining. Without your father, you wouldn’t be half the assassins you are today.”
Wrath overturns my reason as I push forward. I’m a lot of things—caring, patient, and kind. But I’m not one to sit by while someone speaks on childhood trauma like it’s a distant memory and not the battle these siblings went through every damn day. They were kids, and the two people meant to protect them became their nightmare.
“What fucking right do you have to come here and demand they honor you or your shitty husband? You’ve got a lot of nerve.” My teeth grind as I sear her with burning ire.
Loxley’s voice is much closer when she cuts through the crowd standing in the doorway. “It’s obvious you’re not welcome here, Crystal.”
The woman’s eyes bounce around to everyone closing in on her. Fear flickers in her gaze before she rolls her shoulders back proudly. “Fine. One day, you’ll see what your father and Idid for you. We weren’t the villains in your story. Remember that.”
“Fuck off,” I growl.
Her mouth twists in displeasure. “It was nice to meet you, Abby.”
“Addison,” Rowan snaps. “Her name is Addison. Keep it out of your fucking mouth.”
He slams the door in her face, breathing deeply as he shakes his head. “I’m sorry you had to see that…”
I rub a hand over his bicep, my heart aching for him. “Don’t apologize for her. She isn’t worth it.”
He places a hand over mine before lifting it to his lips. He kisses my knuckles tenderly, and my heart swells at his gentleness after a tough moment.
“Are you okay?” Lox asks quietly. She’s holding Atlas’s cheeks in her hands, cupping his face with feathering touches.
“I’m fine, Short Stack,” the burly man smiles. “She just doesn’t know how to take a fucking hint.”
Thalia is quiet, and it catches my attention as I turn to face her. She’s not looking at us as she plays with her fingers. Her eyes, usually brimming with mischief, are dulled and faraway as she peers out at the living room with a hollow expression.
“Seeing Mom is really hard for her,” Rowan whispers. “We try to keep them separated.”
I nod before stepping beside her and placing a hand on her shoulder. She tenses beneath my touch before I feel her muscles relax.
“Are you okay?” I ask quietly.
Thalia blinks rapidly, resetting her expression to something neutral as her color begins to come back. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
It isn’t much, but I wrap my arms around her in a tight hug. “I’m sorry you had to see her.”
I don’t think she’s going to embrace me until she melts and her arms wrap around my shoulders. “I’m fine. Really. Butthank you for this.”
Thalia is insane, but she feels just as deeply as her siblings do. Their past haunts them, and it’s something that’s been gnawing away at me. I want to ask Rowan about their dad, but I haven’t had the time.
“Let’s eat, and then we need to meet with Dom,” Rowan ushers everyone back to the dining room.
Alana grabs Thalia’s hand in hers as the assassin plops down beside her. They have a hushed conversation as the atmosphere slowly returns to normal. The heaviness in the air clears out once a slow smile spreads across Thalia’s face, and I notice the moment Rowan seems to ease. He places a hand on my knee as we all enjoy our meal together.
Once everyone is done, we take turns cleaning up and washing the dishes. The guys decide they’ll meet with Dom, while Alana proposes we go back to her house for a movie marathon. I know it’s to take Thalia’s mind off of what’s going on, and Lox and I encourage our friend to agree.
“Fine!” Thalia relents at our insistent begging. “But we’re watching horror movies. Classics.”
Alana and I celebrate while Lox looks like she’s second-guessing this.
“I have the perfect movie,” Alana beams.
Chapter Thirty
Addison
