Page 19 of Atlas
I lean in the doorway. “Only until we know you’re safe.”
She nods, shrugging. “Still beats my old life.”
I study her a moment. “You did good. Back there, on the road.” Her head lifts. “I know you’re scared,” I add, “but you held it together.”
She swallows. “Thanks.” It’s the first time she’s not come back with her smart mouth.
I turn to leave but pause. “Kasey?”
“Yeah?”
“No more stealing. No more mouth when it’s not needed. And no calling medaddy.”
She laughs, not her fake, flirtatious one, but something real. Lopsided. Honest. “Okay,dad,” she says under her breath.
I close the door behind me, shaking my head.
Anita
Two days have passed. Two whole days, and I’ve heard nothing from Atlas at all.
Tessa barges into the office holding a pile of files. “These are all up to date,” she says, dumping them on a chair. She pauses, eyeing me suspiciously. “You have that look in your eye,” she says. “You’re thinking about him.”
“About Anthony,” I say, adding a wistful smile.
She narrows her eyes further. “No, Atlas.”
I scoff, trying to throw her off. “I am not. Anthony suggested we book a mini break, so I was thinking about that.”
“A mini break?” she repeats. “Where to?”
“Tuscany.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “You hardly know him.”
“I know,” I utter, my words sounding defensive. “He’s not whisking me away right now. It was just an idea.”
She lowers into the seat beside the files. “Don’t you think it’s a bit weird? You’ve been on two dates—”
“Three,” I correct.
“And now he’s offering you weekends away.”
“It’s just how them sort of guys do it,” I say with a shrug.
“What kind of guys?” When I don’t reply, she laughs. “You mean rich guys?”
“Business types,” I mutter.
“Is that why you refuse to admit how you really feel about Atlas? Because he’s not running his daddy’s company and handing out free mini breaks with every fuck?” I almost gasp aloud at her words. It’s not like her, but she’s clearly irritated, so I stay quiet. “Anita, you’re my friend and my boss and I love you. But seriously, what are you doing?”
I straighten. “You’re right, I am your boss,” I say firmly, fixing her with a hard glare, “and you’re out of line. I suggest you go back to your desk.” The words hurt me as much as they do her and she instantly leaves, closing the door gently behind her.Fuck.
It’s almost six by the time I finish up, and I’m not shocked to see Tessa has already left without saying goodbye. I’ll make it right with her tomorrow when I’m feeling less moody.
I start my car, and it stutters before jumping to life. It wants to give out on me, I know it. Then an idea forms, and instead of heading for home, I drive towards the Chaos Demons’ garage, just in case it’s still open.
My stomach lurches as I turn down their street to see the shutters still up and the lights on. I pull onto the forecourt and turn off the engine. The thought of seeing Atlas fills me with excitement. We’ve had many evenings in this garage, me bent over someone else’s car, sometimes even in it.
