Page 68 of Dark as Knight

“I’m not a damsel in distress, Atlas. I never wanted or needed your rescuing. You’re the one who needs saving… You’re the one who needs rescued.” She stands up, wiping away the rest of her tears and straightening her clothes before completely shutting down and walking out of my office.

Chapter 21

Stella

“You told him, really?” I roll my eyes. “Thanks.”

Mac chases after me. “Hey, what? Told who?”

“Atlas,” I say, completely unamused. “You told him I went to the city.”

“I didn’t,” he says, holding up his hands. “I swear. I left the gate open a while back and I’m still in hot water for that.”

“Well, he found out somehow and he’s not too pleased.”

His face falls. “Shit, does he know where you went?”

“I think so. He didn’t say but yeah, I think he does. Did I get you in trouble?”

“I guess not, he hasn’t said anything to me.” Mac shrugs.

“Well, if you do get in trouble, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved.”

He smiles at me. “Don’t apologize. I was just about to head into the city myself, meeting up with a friend of mine.”

I know I shouldn’t ask him again, especially considering what Atlas has told me about his crush on me or whatever, but there’s no way in hell I’m staying here tonight.

“Can I catch a ride again?”

“Totally. I’m leaving in ten. Catch you by the garages.”

Ten minutes later I’m sitting in his passenger seat after sending a mayday text to Matilda. She replied back with a picture of two bottles of wine and a message that said red or white?

“Are you okay? You kind of look like you’ve been crying.”

“Allergies.” I shrug, looking in the side-view mirror to make sure Atlas isn’t following us.

“I wouldn’t make you cry.”

I pause flipping through social media. “What?”

“I’m just saying.” He shrugs, giving me a genuine smile. “If you ever wanted to hang out sometime, off the clock”—he uses air quotes—“I’d be down is all and I’m not an asshole so I won’t make you cry.”

“What do you mean off the clock? What is that?” I mimic his air quotes.

“This thing you’re doing”—he laughs—“with Mr. Knight. I’m just saying once the timeline is up, then you and I should totally go out.”

“Timeline?” I play dumb.

“Stella.” He laughs. “I know about the contract.”

My stomach drops to my ass. “Who told you?”

“Mr. Knight.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “He said you and I would get along well, probably hit it off, so he already gave us his blessing if that’s what you’re worried about.”

It feels like the walls of this car are closing in on me, like my lungs are suddenly filled with water and I’m gasping for breath. I roll down the window, closing my eyes and breathing through my nose the rest of the way into the city.

“It’s fake, it was all fake, it’s fake.” I blurt the words out the second Matilda throws her door open, her huge grin and the two bottles of wine she’s holding up as a joke falling down to her side.

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