Page 60 of Thirst Trap
“What are you buying?”
I glance at her, deadpan. “Drugs.”
She blinks. Then grins. “That’s hot.”
A huff escapes me. Almost a laugh. No humor. Just weight. History. Responsibility.
“Not coke or heroin,” I add. “Not resale. Chemical contract. If it goes well, no bodies.
If it doesn’t…”
My eyes flick to the gun.
She follows my gaze. “We clean up,” I finished.
She doesn’t flinch. Just shifts closer, the robe sliding off one shoulder.
“Do you ever want to get out?”
I shake my head. Not because I don’t, but because it’s never been real.
“This is what I was born into,” I say. “The deal was made the second Bonnie stepped down. I had to prove I could hold it, while my parents were still watching.”
Her brows knit. “Your parents?”
“Felix and Bella.” My voice drops. “They’re alive. In their seventies now. Still sharp. Still dangerous. And still reminding me this empire is mine to hold but never mine to change.”
Her eyes soften, curious. “So you’re carrying it for them.”
I swallow hard. “For them. For Logan. For everyone. I killed for the crown while they sat at the table. They didn’t pass it down because they were weak. They passed it because they wanted to see if I’d break.”
Maddison curls her fingers through mine. “And have you?”
I stare at her. At the girl who should’ve run from the first gun and instead leans closer.
“…Not yet,” I admit.
“Good,” she says softly. “Because you’ve got me now. And if you break, I’ll help glue you back together. Even if it’s with blood.”
Her smirk is chaos. Wicked. Mine.
And all I can think is:
Now I’m completelyfucked.
Chapter 30
The Family Line
I don’t know why I started talking. Maybe it’s the quiet. Maybe it’s her fingers tracing circles on my thigh like she’s drawing me back to earth. Maybe I’m just done holding it in.
“The Tower used to be Darla’s” I say, voice low. “My oldest sister. She ran it for five
years.”
Maddison shifts beside me, listening. Waiting.
“She didn’t do it alone. Her husband Tristan handled logistics. Numbers guy. Smart
