Page 21 of Atlas
“Excuse you?” Atlas snarls, and I slap my hand on his chest.
“He’s kidding,” I laugh nervously. “Atlas, this is my little brother, well I guess not so little brother, Henry. Henry, this is Atlas, my husband.” The wide smile that always got my brother out of trouble growing up vanishes and his hazel eyes glare at Atlas. Henry is taller than I am, but Atlas still towers over him, and with my brother’s slender build, he looks like a pencil next to the almost feral man at my side.
Henry juts his hand out. “Pleasure to meet you, At-las.” I want to hit my brother at the way he enunciates Atlas’ name. Atlas grips Henry’s hand in a firm handshake. Henry lets out a hiss of pain before pulling back.
“Might want to work on that grip, kid.” Atlas smirks.
“Is that a skull tattoo?” Henry asks, pointing to Atlas’ hand. Fuck not now.
“Oh bird!” I hear the booming voice that can only belong to one man, my father.
“Daddy!” I force a smile as I walk over to hug him. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you, love.” He kisses my forehead, the grey whiskers from his full beard tickling my face. “How are you feeling? Your mother seems to be under the impression that you got married. Oh bird, are you cold? Maybe you should go inside and grab a jacket.”
I furrow my brows and blink as my brain tries to register all of his questions. “No Dad, I’m fine, it’s pretty warm outside.”
I watch my father’s brown eyes glance over me, before clearing his throat. “I just think it might be in your best interest.”
Ah, there it is. “Right…” I say, my voice small as I cover my abdomen with my arms to try and hide myself.
“Are you cold, pretty girl?” Atlas’ smooth as silk voice asks as he slides up behind me, his arm snaking around my waist.
“N-no, I’m fine. I’m actually a little warm.” I whisper, earning an eye roll from my father.
Atlas smirks, “Well then, I guess she’s made her decision then, hasn’t she?” Oh god no Atlas, not him.
I look fearfully at my father, who raises a thick salt and pepper brow. “And who are you? Valet?”
My mouth drops open in shock. My dad knows he’s here with me. He watched the man put his arm around me. Atlas doesn’t seem dissuaded. Actually, his smile widens as he sticks his large, tattooed hand out. “Atlas Hart, I’m your beautiful daughter’s husband.”
Never have I ever wanted to disappear so badly in my life. Is that my monitor I hear? Is this terrace about to collapse? Do I need to be anywhere other than where I am at this moment? Am I looking for any opportunity to leave this conversation? Absolutely and unequivocally, yes.
I watch my father’s face redden and a snarl form. “Husband?” He asks as his fire like stare finds me again. I shrink slightly under his gaze and look away. My eyes land on Atlas’ hand. I notice the slightest of trembles in his hand and instantly I grip it into mine and give him a reassuring squeeze.
You’re not alone Atlas, I promise.
“Yes Daddy,” I state, firmly, “he is my husband.”
“So your mother is right,” My father slams the drink down he had been holding, creating a loud bang and causing the guests to look towards us. “You have gone mad.” He steps into my personal space and snaps his hands in my face, causing me to flinch. “That fast Bird, your inheritance is gone. You think I’m going to let you give my money to some drug dealer because you had a momentary lapse in intelligence and didn’t get a prenup?” He snarls and shakes his head. “You are a lawyer, for Christ’s sake. You are too damn smart to be this stupid. We had a plan, and you just went and ruined it.”
I feel Atlas tense, but I squeeze his hand, signaling for him to stand down. My father has to get it all out before he will calm down enough to reason with. I am more than used to these blows, though I have to admit, the shame and embarrassment feels worse with Atlas standing right here listening to it.
My father laughs dryly, “So, my new son-in-law,” His voice drips with disdain. “Please enlighten us. What lavish job do you have to help support my now unemployed daughter who has lost her trust fund?”
Oh god.
I glance up at Atlas and I pray he can hear the apologies I’m screaming at him. He doesn’t deserve this.
“Well,” Atlas shrugs and scratches the back of his head. “When I’m not smuggling drugs across the border, my whores keep me pretty busy downtown.” He gives my now purple faced dad a wink, and it’s here that I think my earlier pleas of mymonitor acting up are being answered. I stagger slightly as my vision blurs and I hear Atlas yell my name before my world goes black.
Chapter 9
Atlas
Well, this is going great. I had always wondered how I would be meeting my partner’s parents. And here I am, fucking killing it.
I follow Mrs, orDr.Locklear into the house while holding an unconscious Lauren to my chest. She is drenched in sweat and she looks so clammy.
