Page 66 of Thirst Trap

Classic Cream diplomacy.

Outside, Maddison finally broke. She grabbed Lucas’s suit, clutching him tight.

“Oh my god,” she breathed. “I was so worried about you.”

Lucas stiffened. Comfort wasn’t his language. But then his arms came around her.

Tight.

“You saved my life,” he rasped.

“You’re an idiot. You should’ve moved faster.”

“I thought I had time.”

“You didn’t.”

He didn’t argue. He just kissed her, hard, desperate, ruined.

When they broke apart, his voice cracked against her mouth.

“I don’t know what you are, Maddison… but I think I’ve been waiting for you.”

She smiled, wild. “Told you we were meant to be.”

***

By the SUVs, Logan lit a cigarette, sunglasses low. He watched Maddison like she was a puzzle finally worth solving.

“She’s Creams now,” he said to Lucas, smoking.

Lucas’s jaw clenched. “She is.”

Logan grinned sharply. “Bet she fucks like one, too.”

Lucas shoved him hard against the car, growling low. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

Logan straightened, unfazed. Still smirking. “Baby brother’s gone soft.” He flicked ash toward the sand. “You gonna tell her what’s coming? What did she really sign up for?”

Lucas didn’t answer. Couldn’t.

Because all he could think about was the look on her face when she pulled that trigger. Calm. Focused. His.

And the terrifying truth pounding under his ribs:

He didn’t care what was coming.

As long as she was beside him when it hit.

***

The city was buzzing outside, traffic, sirens, neon bleeding against the glass, but inside my apartment it was just me, my laptop, and a half-empty glass of wine.

I wasn’t expecting him to call.

Logan Creams didn’t call. He barked, he texted, he disappeared. But calls? Never.

So when his name lit up my screen, my stomach flipped.