Текст книги "Atlas"

Автор книги: Alyne Roberts

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

XXV

Stella

I stared up at the ceiling for hours. I was alone in the bed and the sun was starting to rise. Everything was sore and my wrists were raw and burned from the ropes. I asked for it, even wanted it. In the morning light, I felt the effects of the rough way he took me.

Atlas always lost the most control with me, and I knew that. Part of me loved seeing him finally unhinge and knowing that I did that to him. Last night, I wanted to break that last string holding him back. I watched it snap and he pounced.

It hurt.

It was amazing.

What did that say about me that I loved being hurt by Atlas? Every bite brought me higher, and his punishing thrusts pushed me over the edge again and again. I loved it as much I feared it. It was as pleasurable as it was painful, and I wore the marks from it proudly.

Forcing myself to shower, fear started to sink in. I was scared of what I saw last night and what it meant. What would happen next? Why didn't I pull the trigger? I wanted to and I knew how to. I just didn't pull it. How could my conscience spare my family's killer? Part of me knew that if Sal hadn't killed him, I would have. I wanted to and that scared me more than watching his blood spatter everywhere. I screamed not because of the familiar sight of spilled blood but because of the overwhelming feeling of relief that had washed over me in that moment.

I walked the quiet halls in search of Atlas. I had too many questions and it didn't hurt to just come out and ask. There wasn't much they could do to me anymore. I had no leverage to keep myself safe, and they had no reason to punish me, or keep me alive. The house was quiet and I froze when I came to the living room.

It was clean without any sign of what had happened in here just hours before. I could smell a trace of bleach much like after Hector. A lot of death happened in this little lake house. So much blood had been spilled. Would I be the next person to paint these floors with their blood? Could I just be washed away with bleach like I had never existed?

I found Atlas in his office, alone. He watched me closely as I walked inside and closed the door behind me. Neither of us spoke and I looked up at the painting of the constellation in the sky. When Atlas first told me the story of the Titan who led the war against the gods, I thought the Titan was foolish. How could I feel bad that he was eternally punished for picking a fight he could never win? I understood now.

"You scared, Little Star?" he asked, his voice low and level.

"Yes," I whispered.

I was scared of him and myself. The person I was becoming was someone I didn't know. I was scared of the way he made me feel. I was terrified of what would happen next.

"Are you going to kill me now?" I asked Atlas, turning to look in his eyes.

He stood and I noticed he was in jeans and a white shirt. I had never seen him dress down and it surprised me. Atlas came around his desk and leaned back against it.

"I made your brother a promise to protect you," he said.

"So you'll let me go?"

Even as I said the words I realized how crazy they sounded. How would I just walk away and pretend nothing had happened. I had seen too much and knew too much. They could never let me go and I would never be able to move on. I wasn't sure I would want to.

"You know I can't do that," he said quietly. "The war isn't over yet."

Atlas hung his head and when his eyes met mine again I saw something I had never seen before: regret. A chill ran down my spine.

"You leave here, they will find you and kill you. I can't let that happen."

"Why not?

"Several reasons," he said, standing and circling me while I stood in the middle of his office. "That would be breaking my promise. If it came down to me or them getting you, I would be easier on you. They will torture you. But there is one main reason I will keep you."

My heart hammered in my chest because I wasn't sure if I wanted the answer. I didn't know if I could handle his truth.

"Why?"

Atlas stopped in front of me and placed both his hands on the side of my face. Tilting my face up to look at his, I saw a fierce determination in his eyes.

"Because I want to keep you. I'm still not done," he growled.

His lips crashed to mine and I clung to his forearms. He held my face tightly but not enough to hurt me. It was a gentle touch coming from him, but his lips were hard on mine, taking what he wanted. I gave into him, knowing he owned it all already.

Our tongues danced and tasted each other in slow motion. His possessiveness over me should have scared me or pissed me off. Instead, I felt safe and warm. I clung to his broad shoulders and wanted to be underneath him. I needed to know that I meant something more to him than a pawn in his games.

Atlas grabbed the back of my thighs and lifted me. Wrapping my arms and legs around him, I held on tightly without breaking our kiss. He walked me down the hall and I vaguely realized it wasn't the direction of my room. When he reached forward and opened a door, I pulled my lips away to see where I was.

We stumbled into a large bedroom with a window overlooking the lake letting the sunlight in. A huge bed with a black iron frame stood in the center of the room. This had to be Atlas's bedroom. In all the weeks I had been here, I had never seen where he slept. This was a rare glimpse into the man who controlled my life.

Atlas backed me up to the large bed and let me fall onto the soft covers. He stood above me, looking over my body. The familiar burn and heat grew inside of me. I reached for him and he willingly came, leaning over me. His lips found mine again and he took his time, like he was savoring my taste. Atlas had never taken his time before, seeming to always be driven to take me against his better judgment. I always let him against my better judgement.

His lips moved down to my neck, kissing and sucking the sensitive skin lightly. His shirt was off and tossed somewhere. I pushed my pants down my legs, kicking them off. He licked over my pulse point where I was sure he could feel my blood pumping. I titled my head back, giving him access. My eyes opened, and I looked up to the iron headboard as he drug my panties down my bare legs.

"No ropes in here," he whispered on my collarbone.

My head spun as Atlas flipped us, leaving me on top of him. My hands rested on his hard chest as his hands skated up my shirt. I lifted my arms so he could slowly pull it over my head. Atlas lifted his hips, and pulled down his jeans. I was on top of this strong and naked man. Someone who never relinquished absolute control was underneath me, under my hands.

My fingers tickled and explored his chest, arms and hard stomach. His skin was warm, smooth and soft under my touch. Atlas hissed as I smoothed my fingers over the V that led under my thighs. His muscles were tense with impatience and I smirked down at him. I could make him squirm, too.

"Not funny," he growled.

Done with waiting, he lifted my hips and placed me over his hard cock. Our eyes locked as he let go and I lowered myself down on him. Slowly, painfully, and perfectly. I let out a long moan as he buried himself inside of me as deep as he could. Once there, I waited before finally moving.

As I rose and pushed myself back down on him, something took over my body. I was loud and in control, taking from him as I wanted. My back arched, my hands held my sensitive breasts, and sweat collected on my skin. Letting go, I used my instincts to lead my body.

"You are so beautiful," Atlas murmured, his eyes hooded as he watched me ride him.

I felt beautiful. I felt amazing, alive, and energy buzzed in my veins. Atlas flexed and stiffened inside of me, hitting deeper than I had ever felt him. Unexpectedly, I was coming and screaming his name, totally lost in the wave taking me under. Large hands gripped my hips and Atlas thrust hard a few times before his own release hit him.

I fell to his chest, sweaty but satisfied. His heart was pounding in my ear and I fully relaxed. When I woke some time later in the darkness, Atlas was asleep and I was curled into his side. I looked up into his face. He looked younger and more innocent when he was sleeping. I could forget about all the bad things he'd done when I looked at that face.

Slowly and silently, I climbed out of his bed. I grabbed his white tee-shirt from the floor and pulled it over my head. My bare feet padded across the cold floors quietly as I left his room. The house was quiet, dark and cold. I almost turned to crawl back in bed with Atlas but my spinning mind needed space.

I tiptoed onto the deck and inhaled the fresh, cold air. I felt free for the first time since my parents had died. The walls that seemed to constantly close in on me broke down. That fear that followed me lifted. Their killer was dead and, for some reason, I believed that I was safe here. I didn't know what that said about me as person.

The vast and calm lake stretched before me. The only sounds were the crickets and leaves blowing in the breeze. I was alone. I could have left if I had wanted to. The greater question was, did I want to? The idea of leaving Atlas behind gave me a sickening feeling. For weeks, all I wanted was to run for my freedom. But here I was with my feet firmly planted. Could I leave? What did I have waiting for me out there?

XXVI

Atlas 

Her scent was everywhere. I could feel her sweat on my skin. What I couldn't feel was her body still pressed to mine. I opened my eyes and reached for her, feeling empty sheets. Sitting up, I quickly scanned the room to find it empty. The sun was starting to rise outside, letting in little light. I quickly dressed and went to find her.

I'd done something I had never done before with anyone. I gave her control. I gave her the choice and let her have her way. Watching her come apart above me was fascinating. It quickly made up for losing my control. The way her eyes came to life as she rode me to her own orgasm made it all worth it.

Sal and Tony had left us alone to dispose of the body and watch for my father's next move. I would need to return to the city soon. I came to the living room and found it empty. Same with the back deck. A cold feeling sunk into my bones and every muscle went tense.

"Stella?" I called out. Where the fuck was she?

I didn't tie her up because I didn't believe I needed to. I killed a man for her. I did it so she could have her justice and didn't need to pull the trigger herself. I could see the relief in her eyes. I saw the acceptance. She wouldn't run.

"Boss?" Tony asked as he and Sal came in the front door.

"Where is she?" I growled, searching the kitchen.

"Fuck," Sal swore as he headed toward her room.

"You didn't lock her up?" Tony asked me as we followed.

"I didn't need to," I told him, knowing he wouldn't understand.

This was the part of the plan where I was supposed to kill her. There was no way to take her to the city and I couldn't stay here much longer. Her part was done and she was no longer needed. By now, the rest of the family knew I was on to them and their dirty secrets. My father would be looking for me but I couldn't make myself end her.

We froze once we entered Stella's room. It was trashed. The closet doors were open and clothes were strewn across the room. The bed was a mess and the ropes were removed from the headboard. In the bathroom, the mirror was broken. Broken glass was all over the floor and I saw my furious face looking back at myself from a shard of mirror on the floor.

"Fuck!" I roared.

I punched my fist through the bathroom door. I didn't even feel the pain as I seethed. She left. She fucking ran after all. The one time I went against my plan, it backfired and left me in the worst position. I couldn't believe I was so fucking stupid.

"Find her," I seethed. "Now."

The boys left the room in a hurry. We would find her and I would stick to my plan. I was going to kill her. She would die for running. I would make her pay for making a fool of me. After everything, I thought she would stay willingly. I promised to keep her safe. Protection and safety were the things she craved and needed the most. I offered it to her and she threw it back in my face.

I tore through the house looking for her. My temper rose until I couldn't see straight. In the living room, I broke every bottle and piece of glass from the bar. I should have killed her. I regretted taking her to my bedroom last night. If I would have stuck to the plan, this wouldn't be happening.

She didn't deserve my gentle touches. I should have choked her while I fucked her roughly. Her body should be covered in my bite marks and bruises. Instead of putting a bullet between her eyes, I would have squeezed her throat while she gasped for air. As my anger boiled, I closed my eyes and imagined her death.

Her hands would have clawed at mine, eyes begging for release. I would have clenched harder and watched the life fade from her eyes. That light that I always searched out would dim and fizzle out. Darkness would take over just as it had for me. Her limp body would fall to the floor, naked and bruised. Used up with nothing left.

"She's nowhere on the property," Sal reported. “But I found this.”

I took the piece of paper from his hands. It was one word written neatly in the center. My blood boiled as the truth started to sink in. In parting, all she had to say to me was “Goodbye.”

I stomped to my office and pulled up the surveillance feed. A chill ran down my spine to find it all black.

"Lines were cut," I said, looking up at Sal.

His eyes went wide and I clenched my fists. Smart little bitch. I pushed past him and grabbed my keys from the lock box near the door.

"Where are you going?" he asked, chasing after me.

"To find her and kill her," I told him. "You find her, call me but don't hurt her. I want to give her every ounce of pain she deserves."

I left the house and ignored him calling after me. I lost control and my anger and bitterness were driving me. For the first time, I was without a real plan. I just knew one thing. I needed to find her.

My car raced down the open roads. It was very early in the morning so they were practically deserted. Without having any idea of when she had left, I didn't know how far she could have gotten. Had she been planning this all along? When she asked me to tie her up, making me believe she liked it, was she just playing me?

I was stupid and let sex cloud my mind. When I fucked her, I thought she wanted it. I actually thought she loved it as much as I did. She screamed for more and begged for it. Was it all a joke? I never thought she would be so conniving and deceitful. She deserved the slow and painful death I had planned for her.

My tires squealed when I pulled into her own neighborhood. I knew the streets well from my time stalking her. I drove to her house barely able to see past the anger and hate. Turning a sharp corner, I slammed on the brakes and stared ahead.

Red and blue lights flashed in the early morning light. People crowded around the scene in their robes and pajamas still, wanting to get a glimpse. Black smoke filled the air, looking like black ominous clouds. Stella's house was nothing more than a charred frame of what it once was.

Firetrucks and police swarmed the area, fighting to keep people clear as they fought the remaining flames. I parked the car and went closer to the house. The air was thick with smoke and ash. When I was close enough to feel the heat, I stopped. A police officer walked by and I grabbed his arm.

"Was there anyone inside?" I asked.

"The house was vacant, so we don't think so," he answered.

"Don't think so?" I glared at him and he shrunk back at the intensity of it.

"If there was, we won't know until the examiner goes through what's left. Everything, and anyone inside, is only charred remains now."

He pulled away and stomped off. Would Stella burn down her own home? I didn't think she would be dumb enough to go back there because she’d know I would find her here. Part of me hoped she came here knowing I would come for her. My phone rang and I pulled it out, walking away from the scene.

"Tony?" I said once it was to my ear. "You find her?"

"Not yet. We went to her friend's house. The one from the club."

"Liddy?" I asked.

"Yeah, but she's gone too," he said.

"She could be in class or something. Wait her out," I told him, getting back in my car.

"Doubt it," he said. "The place is a mess like she left in a hurry. She's gone and I don't think she will be coming back."

"Fuck," I growled and hung up the phone.

I punched the steering wheel in frustration. Stella probably thought I would go for her friend if she ran. She was smart like her brother. She had better hope she was smarter than me because if I found her, she would wish she had died with her parents that night. Starting the car, I sped away from what was left of her home.

Stella had been a very busy girl this morning. She must have crawled out of my bed as soon as I had passed out. I wondered if she had meant to wear me out on purpose. Was she riding me, bringing out every ounce of pleasure and coming all over my dick just so I would let down my guard? I didn't want to believe that. She would have needed to be planning this for a very long time.

I pulled into the driveway of the lake house feeling numb. I couldn't believe I was that dumb to fall for her and her innocent act. Last night, I thought we shared something different without the ropes and the pain. Stella had just been using me.

I would find her. And when I did, I would pull every last scream out of her until she couldn't make another sound. I would make her nightmares seem like a fairytale compared to what I would do to her.

XXVII

Stella

My swollen eyes fluttered open, but all I could see was darkness. I was cold and wet, and everything hurt. I could smell the familiar scent of blood, and I could taste it in my mouth. I licked my dry and bloodied lips. My head throbbed and my throat hurt.

I had no idea where I was. My arms and legs failed me when I tried to pull myself up off the damp floor. I couldn't see or hear anything as my mind tried to piece together my memory. Last I remembered, I was on the deck looking over the lake. I felt so calm and relaxed, I should have known it would end.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I remembered being pulled from behind. A hand went over my mouth and something stung my nose as I smelled it. Then everything went black. I woke up somewhere unfamiliar for the second time in a few months. This time, I could feel death looming close. I wouldn't find a tainted hero in this damp hell.

Fighting to push myself up, I noticed the familiar pain on my wrists. Pulling them up to my face, I didn't see the rope I had eventually come to trust. It was chains. The weight of the metal pulled them back down, and I finally let myself cry. I felt too dried out to cry, but the tears flowed anyway. The tears stung as they slipped over the open cuts on my face.

Where the hell was I and how did I get here? Did Atlas change his mind and decide to kill me anyway? This wasn't his basement though. It was cold and damp where ever I was. I could hear water dripping somewhere in the distance. My chains clanking together echoed in the darkness. I could hear my own stuttered breathing mixing with my pounding heartbeat.

Once again, I was trapped and facing a monster. Since I had seen my parents shot, I didn't think I had ever actually lived. The moment that gunshot sounded, I became a victim who needed to hide from the enemies my brother left behind because I was a witness. Atlas found me, and I used to think that was for the best, but now I knew I was wrong. I was right where I should have ended up all those months ago.

Heavy footsteps pounded toward me and I trembled, inching back into a corner. They came closer, stopping near me. I couldn't see anything but I could hear his heavy breathing. The footsteps came closer and I was yanked to my feet.

"Please," I cried. "Please let me go."

A low and throaty laugh answered and I was pulled roughly toward him.

"Shut the fuck up or I'll bury you," he snarled.

I waited on shaky legs as he held my wrist together and pulled my chains from the wall. He spun me away from him, and I felt the heavy fabric go over my eyes before being pushed forward. I stumbled on my bare feet on the rough, stone floor. I cried quietly as I climbed the stairs into the unknown.

It was warmer when I was pushed to the floor. The air was humid and nothing like the cool, crisp air at the lake house. Every forced step I took, the sinking feeling grew in my stomach. I was ready to throw up by the time we came to a stop. Whatever was going to happen, I just wanted it to happen soon. I had been fighting too long and I was exhausted.

"This her?" someone asked.

"This is the one," the guy pushing me around answered.

"Hot little thing," the other guy said, causing a shiver to crawl across my skin. "Do we get a taste?"

A finger trailed down my arm and across my stomach. I was still in Atlas's shirt which meant I wasn't very decent, but at least I wasn't naked.

"Fuck no," the other guy said, pulling me back roughly. "The boss said don't touch. He has plans for this one."

"Shit. I don't want to know what those are."

Neither did I. My mind was spinning, wondering who the boss could be. I just knew in my bones it wasn't Atlas. I was far away from Atlas and his lake house. I doubted I was even near Chicago anymore.

"Hose her down and take her up."

With that, I was shoved forward into another man's hands. He took my chains and pushed me down to the floor.

"Crawl," he growled down to me.

I held myself up on my hands and knees, unwilling to move.

"Move bitch." Then a heavy boot kicked me in the back, forcing me to move.

My knees hurt on the hard surface and the metal cuffs cut into the soft skin of my wrists. I almost hoped they would cut me and I could bleed out. That would be a better fate than the one I was crawling to, I was sure.

"Stand," he ordered while pulling my chains.

I listened as they were hooked somewhere and his heavy footsteps led away from me. I started to run, but was pulled back by the chains. Screams ripped from my throat when a cold burst of water hit me. I was actually being hosed off like an animal. Water filled my open mouth, and I choked until the water finally shut off. I was left freezing and shivering.

Other footsteps sounded and I knew we weren't alone. I could feel the eyes on me. I could only imagined what I looked like, soaked and dressed only in a large, white shirt. My skin was crawling as I waited for what would happen next.

"Is she hurt?" a deep voice asked.

"Not severely. Some bruising and scrapes. She will heal fine," another voice answered.

"I told you not to hurt her."

"She was bruised before we got her here."

Silence hung in the air and I wanted to laugh. Atlas left his mark on me and it ruined me. It saved me.

"Let her dry. She will ship out soon."

The footsteps faded as they walked away, leaving me to dry like laundry on the line. I was treated like an object, a prisoner, a product. My mind raced with the possibilities. I remembered the story about the girl my brother loved. The secret dealings in selling woman in the family. It all clicked. I was meeting the ending I always should have. I was a victim of the very thing I was used to fight against. Life was ironic and cruel.

Was this the real end for me? I would have rather been shot in the head than sold off to a life of slavery and violence. Atlas promised me that they would torture me and make me suffer. Being his captive was much better than what was waiting for me now. The tightness in my chest grew as reality crashed down around me.

I didn't know how long I had waited before I was gathered and forced to crawl again. Every time I stopped moving, a kick came to my ribs or back.

"You're not supposed to hurt me," I cried, pain radiating through my chest.

"Doesn't matter anymore," he answered. Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he pulled my head back. "Speak again and I will cut your tongue out."

Something told me he meant it. His voice rang of true evil. A killer with no remorse or empathy. There was a chill that men like him gave me. It was sad that I had been around enough to know. By now, it was too late to protect myself. I was a statistic. One of the victims my father fought to protect and find justice for.

We reached a set of stairs and I was pulled to my feet by my hair. Every step felt like defeat. When I felt I had landed on level ground, I made a run for it. I gritted my teeth as I felt my hair ripping from my scalp. The guy yelled but I ducked and moved as quickly as I could. I fell, scraping my knees, but scrambled back up.

"Fucking bitch," the guy cursed behind me.

My chains stopped me, pulling me back so I fell on my ass. Pain shot up my spine and my head smacked the floor. I felt the man stepping over me, lingering and laughing at me.

"I really wish I could kill you for that," he said, spitting on me.

He didn't even bother getting me back up. He grabbed my ankles and pulled me the rest of the way. The floor scraped and cut my back and I screamed the short distance until he let me go.

"Just kill me," I hissed from the floor.

"I wish I could," he said. "But you have something far worse waiting for you."

He secured my chains and walked away, his steps echoing in my prison.

"Atlas should have killed you when he was supposed to."

The metal door clanked shut and my tears fell freely, soaking the blindfold. I listened as his steps faded away. When he was gone, I heard similar sounds to my own cries. I was surrounded by them. The sniffles and quietly prayers were whispered all around me. I realized I was not alone.

I sat up, feeling around and ripping the blindfold from my face. I couldn't see anything, but I heard them. I could feel the fear and sorrow everywhere, suffocating me. I crawled around, reaching out, hoping to find something or someone.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Shh," another voice hissed. "They will hear you."

"Who are you?" I whispered.

"I am no one," she answered. "Now shut up before you get us killed. Or worse."

I snapped my mouth shut. I could only imagine what could be worse than getting killed. I leaned my head back against the stone wall. I wished I was still at the lake house. I regretted ever doubting Atlas. Although I didn't think he had always intended to keep me safe, he would have never allowed this to happen to me.

I faded in and out of sleep, listening to the other cries for help and whimpers of fear. There was no light and no hope. My stomach hurt with hunger and my throat burned with thirst. I had no idea how much time had passed. In this darkness, I only wished for the end. Atlas was right. I once wanted to live. I fought for it and I would have killed for it. None of that would end up mattering in the end.