Atlas - Roberts Alyne - Страница 18

"So I'm not asking about that night," I started. "I know Ace went home the day before. Am I right?"

She nodded and her eyes glistened. "He came to talk to my dad."

I came to kneel in front of her. I needed her trust even though I didn't deserve it.

"What did he tell him? This is very important," I said, grabbing her hands and squeezing.

"I didn't hear," she said, pulling out of my hold. "I caught the end of the conversation."

"Which was?"

"My dad was begging Ace not to leave. He wanted him to stay home, but Ace said he had to go."

Her eyes flashed with anger and pain. She felt betrayed. I knew the feeling. Ace left them there unprotected. For what reason? He had to know they would come for him and everyone important to him. I let myself believe he betrayed me, but I couldn't believe he would do that them.

"You don't know what he told your dad?" I asked.

"No," Stella snapped. "Take your pick of any of the crimes you guys committed. Drug dealing? Murder?"

"You watch too many mobster movies," I said with a chuckle. Stella glared back.

"We own casinos. We operate online gambling operations. We may traffic guns, drugs and even electronics, but the mob has grown more civilized than when you last watched Scarface."

Stella stared at me with confusion and anger. I doubted that helped my case, but I was giving in hopes of receiving in return. I’d give her some intel, she’d give me a little more. Unfortunately, this stubborn woman was the key to finishing what Ace and I started.

"Ace either ratted me out, or he ratted out someone more dangerous," I told her. "Either way, I need to fucking know because it got people killed."

"More dangerous? Than you?"

I laughed, but it lacked any humor.

"Yes, my Little Star. There are men colder than me, more evil. Men who would have killed you in the alley of that night club instead of keeping you alive like some fucking pet."

Stella looked down at the wooden floors, lost in her memories. She never made a move or made any indication in the past months that she knew the family's secrets. She told the police she didn't see anything. I was certain she saw the person sent to end her family.

"I don't know what he told my dad," she said and I knew she was telling the truth. "They were whispering and my mom was crying. Ace told me to stay in my room."

I rolled my eyes. "Which of course, you didn't listen."

"I'm not a child." She crossed her arms over her chest and I eyed her cleavage. No, she was not a child.

Did Ace finally find the proof we had been searching for? I just didn't understand why he would go home before coming to me? My dad claimed he didn't put the hit out on the family or Ace, but I didn't know who I could trust anymore. Why would he put the hit out on her if she didn't see one of his men?

"Atlas?" Sal called from the entryway. "A word?"

I nodded and met him in the hall. Tony was leaning against the wall, an anxious look on his face. Sal looked uncomfortable as well, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Boss called. Wants us to meet him in Miami," Tony told me.

"What the fuck? You are my men. Why does he need you two?"

"Pick up a package for you," Sal answered, knowing it was bullshit.

"Go," I told them. "I got the girl. If we put up a fight, he will only grow more suspicious."

Fucking fantastic. I'm losing my two guards and stuck for the next two days with Stella alone.

XIII

Stella

At home, I was limited to a ten-minute shower. Either the water would go cold or someone would flush, scalding me. Every morning, I rushed to get clean and get out. When I was in the house alone, I got a full fifteen minutes because no one was waiting on me. But the fact that I was alone was too depressing to enjoy it.

Here, I could spend as much time as I wanted. I was well stocked with gels and scrubs, so I always came out soft and smelling nice. The water pressure was perfect with an endless supply of hot water. It was the one thing that took my mind off all my worries. I probably wouldn't be killed in the shower. I was alone and the guards would never dare to step inside the bathroom. Both men actually seemed pretty uncomfortable even in the bedroom.

I was relaxed and content, until I stepped out of the steam to find Atlas leaning in the doorway, waiting. I quickly wrapped the towel around my body, almost falling in the process.

"Atlas," I hissed. "What are you doing in here?"

"Waiting. You were taking a while," he answered casually. He seemed completely unfazed with his invasion of privacy or a naked woman in front of him. He was probably used to both of those.

I was not unfazed or unaffected. Atlas ditched the jacket today, wearing his white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His muscular forearms were crossed over his chest and I stared at the patch of skin peeking from the open buttons of his shirt. I clutched the towel tighter and tried to get out of the shower without getting close to him.

I wrung my hair out, getting used to the lighter, shorter hair. It took less time to wash and dry. With Atlas watching, I wasn't going to stall any longer in the small space. The bathroom was the size of a normal bedroom, but it shrunk with us both in here. The last time we shared this room, I was pinned below him on the floor.

"Hurry up," Atlas said sharply. "I don't have all day."

"Move then," I said, coming to stand in front of him in effort to get out the door.

Atlas didn't move. He just stared down at me, and I swore the steam grew thicker around us. There wasn't much protecting me from him but the thin towel that barely covered my butt. I might as well have been naked because I felt his stare on every inch of my skin. He reached forward and I held my breath as his fingers grazed my neck.

"I will only say this once, Stella," he said, his voice low and deep. "Don't ever let me touch you again. I will leave bruises deeper and darker than any other monster can."

He turned and took the heat with him. When I heard the door of the bedroom close, I finally came out of the bathroom. Unsure if he was still waiting, I dressed quickly. I grabbed a sweater dress from the closet and brushed my hair with my fingers. In the hallway, Atlas was waiting.

"Come on," he said before turning and heading down the hall.

"What's the rush?" I asked. I had to run to keep up.

"The guys are off for a few days," he told me. "I have stuff to do and you need to stay with me."

We entered his office and Atlas sat in his chair, leaving me to stand awkwardly. I had spent a lot of time in here before and was always so stuck in my own head that I had never really looked around. The dark wood shelves were stocked with books. Most were classic literature or history, others on art. I browsed the titles, hoping to find something to keep me busy for who knew how long.

"Where did Sal and Tony go?" I asked. "They weren't around yesterday. You give them vacation time or something?"

"No," he said with a laugh. "They went to pick something up for me."