Page 2 of Atlas
I put my boots on and head downstairs. Axel glances up from his desk. “Was that Anita I saw leaving?” I nod, stuffing my hands in my pockets and leaning in the doorway. “You good?” he adds, frowning.
“You ready for your party?” I ask, ignoring his question.
He rolls his eyes. “About as ready as a lamb is to slaughter.”
I grin. “It won’t be so bad.”
“Lexi is currently hanging banners out there.”
I laugh out loud, knowing how much he hates a fuss. “It makes her happy.”
“That’s the only reason I’m going along with this bullshit.”
Grizz heads over. “Is he still complaining?”
“Nah, he’s secretly excited.”
“If she pulls out a birthday cake with candles, I’m done,” Axel says firmly.
“Shit, Pres, she put loads of effort into that cake,” Grizz whispers with a smirk. “She had a job getting all those candles on it though.”
“Clearly, you two have nothing better to do,” he states, pushing a piece of paper across his desk towards us. “Go and check out this place. It’s a potential for more storage.”
I grab it, glancing at the address. “We need more?”
“I’ll explain in church tomorrow,” he replies, going back to his laptop. “Get out of here before the old ladies sniff you out and force you to blow up balloons or some shit.”
I get off my bike and stare at the old warehouse. Grizz joins me, lifting his sunglasses. “Not very discreet,” he comments. “And anyone driving past will see the entrance.”
I glance around, nodding in agreement. “But hiding in plain sight sometimes works.”
“I don’t think we can afford to take that risk. Gemma reckons we’re being watched by a task force.”
“When are we not being watched by the police?” I ask, laughing.
“I saw Nita leaving earlier. Just a lunch call?” He smirks, heading towards the building.
I follow. “She’s busy with work.”
“She always is, brother. You just gotta pin her down and get your name on her skin.”
I laugh. “I’m sure that’ll go down well.”
“I’m serious, brother. How long’s she been dragging you along for?”
I shrug. “A year or so.”
“Fuck, man. You have the patience of a saint. You gotta lock that shit down.”
“It’s not that easy,” I mutter. “She’s got shit going on that she don’t wanna share with me, and if I push, she locks up completely.”
“So, how long are you gonna let it go on?” he asks, pushing the door.
We go inside. The place is huge but not ideal. There’s another entrance at the back, but it’s insecure. “As long as she needs, brother,” I say confidently, because I intend to stick it out for her. She’s it for me.
Anita
“What do you mean you’re not coming?” Tessa demands. I sign the document she presented me with and slide it back across the desk.
