Page 80 of Rulebreaker
She grabs my arm again, and I shake her off.
But I don’t stop this time, not as she calls my name again, not as she keeps talking, keepscrying.
I ignore her, ignore the lies, the manipulations and I shove through the front door, move to the car, and a half minute later, I’m driving to the airport, the ice slowly closing in on me, slowly encasing my heart, my brain, my soul.
I call Briar on the way.
“The jet’s ready and waiting for you two,” she says before I can even make the request and rattles off the pertinent details of its location and estimated time of departure.
But it’s thefor you twothat has me correcting, “Forme.”It’s a small distinction.
But I know the instant she gets it.
She sucks in a breath then asks softly,sadly,“For you?”
Fuck, I don’t want to do this.
Can’tdo it.
“Right. Thanks,” I manage to bite out, wanting off the phone, knowing it’s not fair to be snapping at her, but so close to losing it–truly losing it in a way I’ve never, fuckingnever–experienced that it’s the best I can manage.
The shattered plates and glasses, the mess in the kitchen.
The fuckingomelets.
“Can you also arrange for a cleaning at Jean-Michel’s place?” I rasp.
A beat. “I’m sure he has it cover?—”
“Please just do it, Briar,” I grit out.
There’s a long pause. Then a soft, “I’ll arrange for it.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“Are you…” Briar is never hesitant with me. Except today. Exceptnow.
Which highlights exactly how fucked up this shit is.
Including the next request I make before I hang up and put us both out of our misery.
“I also need you to arrange for Lily to get home.”
The pause on the other end of the line is so long that I almost think that the call’s dropped out.
“Atlas, are you?—”
“Briar.” I say as I pull into the small, local airport. “Please.”
She exhales quietly. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks,” I say again, but this time after it’s hit the air, I immediately hang up.
I get out of the car, find the hanger, and get my ass onto my plane.
Not long after, I’m flying back to SoCal.
But once there, I don’t go home.
