Текст книги "Atlas"

Автор книги: Alyne Roberts

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VII

Stella

I could feel it in my bones that something was wrong. Sitting up in my bed, I could see light in the hallway. I rubbed my eyes and waited for them to focus. When I heard the voices, a chill ran down my spine. It sounded like crying.

I crawled out of my bed and tiptoed to the doorway. I could feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears, but I forced myself into the dim hallway anyway. I could barely breathe with the feeling of doom and fear swallowing me, but I needed to see. I needed to know what was happening. I hoped I was just being paranoid and that nothing was wrong. 

I wasn't being paranoid. My mom was kneeling on the kitchen floor. Her face was in her hands and she cried quietly. My dad knelt beside her, looking ahead with determination and hate. Something was very wrong. The man I thought was the strongest and bravest man in the world was on his knees in our kitchen while my mom begged for their lives. 

My feet were glued to the floor as the gun pressed to my dad's forehead. I held my breath and prayed the scene in front of me wasn't real. I watched, frozen in horror, as the sound of the gunshot blasted through the silent night. Red splattered and another blast sounded, silencing my mom's screams. One scream continued to pierce the air louder than any gunshot.

I fell to the floor as I watched the blood pool on the tile. The kitchen my mom cooked countless dinners in was red instead of black and white. The room my parents, my brother and I talked in every night was ruined. The two people who meant the most to me had just vanished before my eyes. The dark figure who took away my world vanished just as quickly, as I crawled into the pool of blood my mom and dad were drowning in. 

My own scream filtered in my ears along with my name being screamed. I didn't want to leave yet. I wanted to save them, but it was too late.

"Stella!"

I was being shaken and my name was being yelled. I forced my eyes to open and look around. I wasn't in my kitchen. The floor was carpet and not the checkered tile covered in red. Strong hands held my face, and as the tears dried in my eyes, a face appeared.

"You with me?" Atlas asked. He looked at me with shock and curiosity.

"Yeah," I said with a rough voice. My throat hurt like I had been screaming. I probably had.

Atlas let me go and leaned back on the bed, watching me carefully. I ran my fingers through my hair, finding it damp from sweat. My clothes were wet under the warm robe and my hands felt clammy. My breathing was still coming in hot pants.

"Bad dream?" he asked.

"Something like that," I answered. A dream would imply that it was fiction and not real.

I tore the robe off, tossing it to the floor. I needed to cool down. I could feel Atlas watching me and I knew he wanted to ask a million questions. I would never answer them. I had never told a soul what I had seen that night, and I didn't ever intend to do so. For a while, I thought that was the only thing keeping me alive. Now, I wasn’t too sure.

"If I go get you a drink, will you try to run?" Atlas asked.

I shook my head. I didn't think my legs would hold me if I tried. I was finally feeling the consequences from my escape attempt. I hung my head as Atlas quietly left the room. When I was alone, I let three tears go—one for each part of my heart that was taken from me.

I jumped when the door opened again. Atlas came in with a glass and shut the door behind him. His shirt was only held closed with the last three buttons, exposing most of his wide chest. The shirt used to be white but was now covered in dirt smears, and one sleeve had a small rip. His hair was unruly and his face had a little more scruff than I had remembered.

"Orange juice," he said as he handed me the glass. "It's already five in the morning so we might as well stay up."

"Did you sleep in the chair all night?" I asked.

"I did. I couldn't strap you down with your hands like that," he mumbled as he pushed the chair back in the corner.

I awkwardly drank my juice, looking at my hands and the damage I had caused. They were sore and cut up. At the time, I didn't even feel it. I had just wanted to escape. This morning though, I was sore all over. My ribs hurt, and I felt like I had fallen down a cliff. Thanks to Atlas, I seemed to be cleaned and bandaged up.

"Go get dressed," he told me as he stalked over to the end of the bed. I shrunk down under his angry glare.

"And Stella," he started and leaned toward me. "As much as I would prefer you alive, do not assume that secures your life. The moment your life becomes too much of a risk to me, overcoming the potential outcome, I will dispose of you. Understood?"

"Yes," I whispered. There was no doubt in my mind that he meant it. I also didn't believe that he wouldn't kill me if I did cooperate. I knew what people like him were like.

"Despite what you say, you actually want to live," he said. "Otherwise, why hide? Why fight? Why lie to the police and say you didn't see anything that night?"

A chill ran down my spine and I clenched my jaw to keep my mouth shut. The images from my nightmare, and real life, were too fresh in my mind. I could still smell the freshly spilled blood. I could remember the sound of my scream echoing in the night. I remembered how cold my mother's body felt as I held her in my arms until the paramedics dragged me away.

Atlas wanted to know what I had seen that night, but I kept it locked away. It only came out at night. Only when the darkness took over and there was no light left did the truth have the courage to surface. It was a truth that I would never let out because Atlas was right. I wanted to live. Keeping my secrets was the only thing that kept me alive.

I got up abruptly, picked some random clothes from the closet and took them to change in the bathroom. It wasn't a coincidence it was full of clothing in my size. Atlas had obviously known who I was long before we met at the club. I ran my fingers through my knotted hair and rinsed my face. A hairbrush was apparently too much to ask for.

I came out of the bedroom to find Atlas sitting on the edge of the bed waiting. His dark eyes trailed down my body dressed in simple leggings and a long shirt. His gaze felt more sensual than it did when I was practically naked. Atlas tilted his head and cracked his neck. Standing, he motioned for me to follow him.

Without many other options, I followed him to the kitchen where he pulled out fruit and made me a bagel. I couldn't escape. The windows were boarded up and Atlas never took his eyes off me for more than a few seconds. I heard the footsteps of his guards nearby, but didn't see them. I reluctantly picked at the fruit and pulled off parts of the bagel.

Shoving a piece in my mouth, I tasted the thick cream cheese and my stomach rumbled. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until a piece of food landed in my stomach. I quickly devoured the fruit as well. Atlas kept pushing more food toward me until I couldn't shove anymore in my mouth. I paused, eyeing the fork in my hand.

"Don't even think about it," he warned, his voice low and full of threat.

Setting it down, I looked up at him. This man's attitude toward me had me spinning. One second he was flirting then shoving me in a truck. Then he nursed my wounds before going cold again. I knew who he was. My brother thought he was secretive, but I knew the family he was working for. Atlas was no different than rest of the Omegas.

"Good girl," he said, reaching forward and slipping the fork away from me.

As he walked around behind me, I stiffened and held my breath. When he moved my long hair off my back and over one shoulder, I shuddered.

"You think you could kill with just a fork, Little Star?" he said in my ear.

I shook my head.

"No? If you get the right spot . . ." he said, putting the tines at the pulse point on my neck, right under my chin. "You think this will kill someone?"

"Yes," I gasped when he applied slight pressure. I could feel each tine pressing into my skin.

"Or here," he said as he moved the fork to my chest. He dragged it over the top of my breast and poked the skin right over my heart.

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears and against the fork pressed to my chest. I tried to even out my breathing so he couldn't hear how scared I was. Men like him fed off of it, thrived off of it even. I could feel his body heat on my back as his hand moved from my shoulder and down my arm.

"So you see why I can't let you out of my sight?" he asked, releasing me from his hold.

"I won't do anything stupid again."

"I'm a very careful man."

Atlas washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen like it was any other morning after breakfast. Maybe this was a regular occurrence. For all I knew, Atlas could bring back a different woman every few days as his prisoner. When he got whatever it was that he wanted, he’d get rid of them. I didn't know what exactly it was that Atlas wanted from me, but I wouldn't be giving it to him. He said he wanted information that he surely already knew.

"Sir?" I heard from behind me. I turned to see the two goons from yesterday.

"My office in ten," Atlas told them. Like soldiers, they both nodded and left the room.

"Did you get enough to eat?" he asked me once we were alone.

"Yes," I said. "Thanks."

I hated thanking him and I wished I could take the words back. I wanted to be my dad's daughter and kick him. I should be leaving this world fighting. Kicking and screaming. I shouldn't be hiding. Cowering and obeying a killer would have Daddy rolling in his grave. I closed my eyes and prayed that he wasn't watching me now. I could only hope that he was too busy keeping up with Mom and Ace in Heaven.

VIII

Atlas

I led Stella down to my office. As much as I hated the idea of her knowing where this room was, I couldn't allow her to be alone. She was smarter than I gave her credit for. Even after months of watching and waiting, I didn't know all there was to know about Stella Harlow. It made me feel unprepared and surprised. I hated it.

"Sit," I told her as I shoved her into a chair in the corner. Sal and Tony were waiting for me as I had asked.

"She looks pretty good considering last night," Sal muttered under his breath.

He was right. Stella had some bruises and minor cuts, but it was minimal for what she had gone through. Sal had a black eye and Tony had a decent cut on his cheek. They didn't even go through the broken glass like she had. I made a mental note that she was tougher than I had predicted as well. She wouldn't be easy to break.

"What's the word?" I asked them. I sat in my chair behind the desk where I could see my men and Stella in the corner.

"Your father seems quiet. No movement on his end," Sal started. "Rumor has it you killed the last Harlow. No missing reports on the girl yet."

I looked right at Stella and her eyes were wide. I smirked at her and she glared. Now she knew no one was looking for her, and the only people who were, wanted her dead.

"Good. Tell Larry and Tim that I killed off the whole family."

I heard Stella gasp as Sal and Tony exchanged a look.

"Those two idiots?" Tony asked me.

"Those two idiots are perfect," I answered. "They have the biggest mouths and word will spread fast. The only man who will argue that fact is someone wanting the credit themselves."

I saw it click in my men's heads and the confusion all over Stella's face. Little did she know that only she held the real answers. I was fishing in a pool of sharks. There was blood in the water and no one was safe. Only the biggest fish would survive. I had to be smarter and one step ahead of the rest of my family. I needed the truth out of the girl I had locked away in my house.

"And Hector has been asking to see you," Tony added.

I groaned and rubbed my temples. Hector had been trying to get together for weeks, but I kept blowing him off. There was no specific reason other than I hated the fucker. He was creepy and more evil than even my old man. It made my skin crawl just being around him, and I had been around some of the worst of men.

"Nice work," I told them. It took over a year to find guys I could trust. Other than Ace, they were the only people I ever trusted.

They left the room and Stella waited in the corner quietly for me. She looked at me with so much hate and pain. Normally, I loved seeing that look. It was much better than seeing hurt and betrayal on her face. I wanted to erase that look. She may not have believed me, but I was looking for the same monsters under the bed.

"You?" she asked. Her voice cracked. "You killed my parents?"

"You know damn well I wasn't the one who pulled the trigger that night," I said, walking over to her and placing my hands on each side of her on the arms of the chair.

She shook her head at me and tears welled in her eyes.

"You saw who was in your house that night. Tell me, Stella. Who did you see?"

Stella shut down. It was like watching the Christmas lights go out on the tree. They all dimmed at once, and the room was thrown into darkness. She wouldn't look up at me, and when I titled her face to mine, her eyes were void. She had checked out. I wouldn't get any answers from her.

I walked back to my desk and spent a few hours getting some work done. There was money to move, people to contact, and leads to chase down. Tapping into security cameras was one of the best ideas we had, but it was tedious and time consuming to go through all the footage.

"Stella," I called over to her. She looked at me with a blank stare that I couldn't handle another second.

I pushed off the desk so hard my chair hit the bookshelf behind me. She didn't even flinch. Taking her face in one hand, I took one second to savor how soft her skin felt. After that, I smacked her. It was nowhere near as hard as I could, but just enough to wake her up.

"Listen to me very carefully, Little Star," I said, looking deep into her eyes. "I will only say this once."

I waited until I was sure she was with me. Her breathing accelerated like it usually did when I was near, and the pink tint returned to her cheeks.

"I am not going to kill you and I did not kill your family. I want to know who did. You know who did. Now can you see the connection?"

Stella chewed on her bottom lip, and I watched in fascination. I was sure I knew everything about this girl. I knew her clothing size, her favorite coffee, that she preferred boy shorts to thongs, and she loved dance music. I didn't know she chewed on her lips when she was deep in thought. I didn't know that she slept on her stomach or that she was tough as nails.

"You need to tell me what you saw that night," I urged her.

"No. I didn't see anything," she lied. I saw the fear all over her face. She was smart enough to know what would happen if she told anyone.

"I heard you in your sleep, Stella. I know that's not true. You need to tell me."

"You seriously expect me to trust you?"

"Kinda," I admitted giving her a grin that usually worked to get my own way with women.

"Want to know who I trust?" she asked.

I didn't really want to know where she was going with this. I could tell she was getting worked up for some righteous rant that I didn't have the time for.

"My dad, who believed the law existed for a reason and that no one was above it. My mother who stood behind her man and supported him and her children no matter what. My brother who would have protected me against the evil likes of you."

I sighed and rubbed my face. I needed to shave and this wasn't going well. I knew the girl would be a handful because her brother was more than that, but I never thought she would be this fucking difficult. I didn't want to have to break her, so I needed to change her mind. Breaking her, and making her fear me so deeply that she gave in, was my last resort. Some sacrifices were necessary for the greater good. One lost to save many.

"You may not have a reason to trust me," I agreed. "But know that your brother did. Ace trusted me with his life."

"Right," she laughed harshly. "And we see where that got him. That life he trusted you with is gone!"

Stella raised her hand to strike me. I had plenty of time to stop her but I let her punch me in the chest. I let her smack at me and pound on my body until she ran out of energy. Even with all her might, it didn't hurt enough to make her stop. This was her letting it out. In the ten months since her parents’ death, I had never seen her lash out or let out the anger. She quietly cried in her sadness and grief. She hid in fear but never let out the anger and hate she had.

When she finally wore herself out, Stella fell limp in my arms. When I put my arms under her legs and carried her from my office, I could feel her shaking against me. I took her down the hall and into her bedroom. She didn't look at me as I placed her in the bed and covered her up. I didn't stay to watch her. Instead, I turned off the lights and locked the door from the outside, giving her privacy to get herself back together.

I headed back to my office where I paced the room for about an hour. Every day having her here was a risk. If anyone ever got wind that Stella wasn't really dead, then I would be next on the hit list. Even my own dad wouldn't bother to save me. In our family, your place is determined by loyalty, not by blood. I'm only his golden son because I was everything he ever raised me to be.

Much to my own surprise, I actually developed a set of values and skills on my own. I grew up into a man who wasn't created by the great and powerful Mr. Omega. I may have killed, lied and stolen, but there was a thin line that I refused to cross. There was a point that I thought was too far into the depths of darkness. I also had the skills and the lack of morality to end it at the expense of my blood family.

IX

Stella

I had been captive in the house for almost a week before I was finally allowed to see outside. I was kept in my room with the door locked most of the day. Sometimes Atlas would make me sit in his office with him while he worked. I had no idea what it was that he was doing, but I didn't dare ask. If I didn't want to answer any questions then I should expect the same from him.

"You're getting pale," Atlas said. His voice startled me. I was curled up in the chair in the corner of his office with a book.

"That's what captivity does to you," I threw back.

"Come," he said, standing and coming over to me.

Confused, I followed him down the hall I only been down once the night I had arrived. He opened the wide doors and we stepped into a large living room. It was bright and open, contradictory to Atlas. The exposed wood beams and wood floors reflected the afternoon sun that poured in through the tall windows.

Outside, the lake sat waiting for me. It was calm and beautiful. I smiled when we stepped out and I felt the sun and wind on my face. The only sounds were from the birds and the trees swaying. I walked to the railing and looked down into the water. I felt Atlas behind me but I ignored him. I wanted to be alone for just a second, even if it was only pretend.

"Will you ever let me go?" I asked when I couldn't bear the silence any longer.

"No, Stella. I won't."

"Will you just keep me here forever?" I asked. The thought made my throat tight but it was better than the alternative.

"Would that be so bad?" he asked as he stepped closer to me. I could feel his chest on my back even though he wasn't actually touching me yet.

The hairs on my body stood on end. He always made me feel so aware, and every sense was heightened. The first night I met him in the club, I loved the feeling. It was exhilarating and, for the first time in a very long time, I actually felt alive. Now, it was terrifying. I felt like an animal about to be eaten. I felt dead, not alive.

Atlas gently trailed his fingers down my bare arm and goosebumps followed in their wake. I fought to keep my breath from quickening. My body's reaction made no sense to me. It was a mixture of curiosity, pleasure, and fear. The emotions swirling made me dizzy trying to figure them out.

"You know what I want from you," he said in my ear.

What was it that he really wanted from me? Was it the answers to his questions? Was it my body? I gave up hope that anything I did would earn my freedom. I grew up in a family that was familiar with criminals like Atlas and his "family." I knew too much. I was a risk and could never walk out of this lake house.

"I can't give you what you want," I whispered.

"Sure you can," he said as he quickly backed away from me. "Let’s make a deal. A trade if you will."

"A trade?" I asked as I turned to look at him curiously.

"Keep in mind, dear, that I really don't need to be nice to you. Only out of respect for your brother do I refrain from chaining you up in my basement and torturing the answers from you."

My eyes widened because he issued that threat with such ease, without so much as blinking. He was being completely honest, and torture didn't seem like something he felt very guilty about.

"To be honest, I would actually enjoy that very much." Atlas licked his lips and looked me up and down. "But I will offer you an alternative."

I crossed my arms over my chest protectively. It did nothing to make me any safer.

"Here's is the deal. You answer one question and I will give you one freedom of your choice, within reason."

I chewed on my lip and mulled over the options. How hard could one question be? One freedom could save my sanity. It was tempting to think of becoming less of a pet and more of person.

"I want to be able to come out here or stay in my room instead of sitting in your office," I said.

"Deal. If you answer me this," he started and made eye-contact with me. "Did you see your parents murdered?"

I swallowed as the memories flood back in. "Yes."

Atlas nodded once. "You are free to go between your bedroom and this deck."

I exhaled in relief. One answer. One more day.

"Stella, I am a man of my word. You may think I'm dirt, but I live by a set of morals and loyalty. If you start to believe that, this could be a hell of a lot easier."

I tilted my head to try to see him in a different view. He looked the same. Powerful, strong and deadly. Even in his own home and alone, he dressed as I always saw him. He wore dark slacks with a collared shirt. When I saw him the first time, I almost drooled over him. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I must have thought he could be someone who could protect me.

"I'll be inside," he said. I nodded and before he left, he came and leaned into my ear.

"Don't fuck this up, Little Star, or I will slit your throat."

With those parting words, he turned and left me alone on the back deck. I stared after his wide shoulders as he slipped back inside. I saw the shadow of one of the guards in the living room. I wasn't truly alone but I could pretend for a while at least. I wouldn't jump into the lake and try to swim to safety like I had thought of too many times.

I watched the sun go down that evening. I spent hours watching the fish and bugs while humming to myself. I forgot what it was like to be outside. It wasn't something I had necessarily enjoyed before, but now it was something I wouldn't take for granted. I barely noticed when the air turned crisp. I never wanted to go back inside, but soon I started to shiver.

I opened the sliding door and walked into the living room. The lights were dim and the large fireplace on one wall looked cozy and inviting. Knowing Atlas, he bought the place for the secluded location and not the features like the hardwood floors and beautiful stone walls. I wanted to linger but didn't know if that was allowed, so I decided to head to my room.

In the hallway, I saw the light from Atlas's office. One of the guards, Tony maybe, stood in the hall near the kitchen watching me. I put my head down and turned the direction of my room. A hot shower sounded soothing. Tomorrow, I would be able to go back outside. Maybe I could bargain for a book or magazine. Even the newspaper would keep me occupied.

I was almost to my room when another figure came out one of the bathrooms. I froze for a second before walking again. Another day, another guard. This house was crawling with hardened criminals and killers. My dad would have loved busting into this place.

"Well, what do we have here?" the new guy asked.

I kept walking, deciding that was probably the safest option. I didn't need any more trouble tonight after having a decent day.

"I asked you a fucking question," he bit out and grabbed my arm roughly. The stranger yanked me back to him and pushed me to the wall.

"I was just going to my room," I told him.

"Is that so? Maybe I should come with you," he said with a sickening smile.

I shivered from my head to my toes. My heartbeat quickened and every muscle tensed in my body. A heavy feeling settled in my stomach as alarms rang in my head. Something bad was going to happen. I tried to break from his hold but he held me tighter. I could feel the bruises forming under his fingertips.

"Let go," I begged, trying to hide how scared I really was.

"I don't think so. Now I see what has Atlas so busy he can't meet with me. He got himself a new toy," he growled and he pushed me harder to the wall with his body.

"No," I argued. I could smell the cigarettes and whiskey on his breath and it made me sick to my stomach.

"Your pussy that tight?" he asked and I almost threw up all over him. "Maybe I should see what the all the fuss is about."

He wrapped one hand around my throat to keep me in place while his other hand grabbed my thigh and pushed my dress up to my waist. I bucked against him and tried to scream but I didn't have enough air in my lungs to make a sound. He was choking me and tugging at my clothes while I was helpless.

His fingers forcefully pushed and dug into my skin. My throat burned as his hand started to pull at my panties. His movements were rough and clumsy. I tried kicking but his body and hands kept me still. I squeezed my eyes shut as the darkness started to take over my vision.

His brutal hands left my body suddenly and a warm liquid splattered on my face. I fell to the ground with his grip no longer holding me pinned to the wall. A familiar metallic smell filled my nose, and I opened my eyes even though everything inside me told me to keep them closed. I was once again covered in blood.

"Damn it," I heard Atlas curse a few feet away. I could barely hear him over the ringing in my ears.

I heard several sets of footsteps coming toward me, but I couldn't look at them. I couldn't look away from the eyes staring blankly at me. Part of the side of his head was a disgusting mess. Hands grabbed my arms to pull me up, but I fought them blindly. I didn't want to be touched. I swung at Tony as he tried to pick me up from the floor.

"Stella," Atlas said, kneeling down and putting the gun in the back of his pants. He cupped my cheeks to get my attention. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I don't know," I whispered.

"What the fuck was he doing here?" Atlas asked Tony, who was still holding me.

"I don't know how he got in," he told him. "Hector had been trying to get a hold of you for a few days now. He must have decided to just come see you in person."

I watched as Sal grabbed my attacker by the feet, dragging him down the hall and out of my sight. Tony lifted me to my feet as Atlas paced the hall.

"Fuck," he growled. He pulled at his hair and I watched the muscles in his jaw clench. He was furious. When he looked back at me, he froze and let his hands fall to his sides.

"Get this cleaned up. Don't speak a word of it to anybody," he told Tony. "I'll deal with the girl."

I didn't fight as Tony passed me over to Atlas, who took my upper arm to lead me to the bedroom. It was the lesser of evils in the moment. I would do anything to get away from the bloody mess in the hallway. Atlas took me straight to the bathroom and turned on the water in the shower.

"I can't tell if you're hurt with all the blood," he mumbled as he pulled my sticky hair from my neck. "You need to clean up."

I pushed the straps of the dress off my shoulders. The fabric clung to me and wouldn't come off easily with all the sticky blood. Atlas roughly pulled on the hem, sending the ruined dress to the floor. My stomach rolled with the slick feeling on my body. I ripped off my panties and bra without caring that he was seeing me naked. I felt like I was ready to crawl out of my own skin. The smell, the sound of the gunshot, and the emptiness inside was all too familiar.

I slid open the doors and stepped under the hot water. It was almost scalding but I didn't care. I wanted to burn tonight off of my skin. Atlas closed the door and I closed my eyes. Memories flashed behind my eyelids, new and old. I pushed them down, swallowed the cries, and pretended it was all washing down the drain with the red-tinted water.