“Atlas got what he wanted, and he….” She pauses. “Gosh, Thea, be thankful. He is selling it to you for practically nothing. Everything is included. Take it and say thank you.”
“He can’t buy me like this.”
“Atlas isn’t buying you, he’s giving you something he planned to tear down anyway. You love it, and know what to do with it, so sign and pay the amount he’s asking and take the damn business and make it your own.”
“You are so bossy.”
“I know. Now, will you hurry up? Because I do not like working with this many women,” she whines, then hangs up on me.
I call a cab.
Shit! I guess I do need to buy a car again.
It doesn’t take long for the cab to arrive, so I grab my bag, and put the forms onto the passenger side seat and climb in. On the drive over, my leg bounces and I can’t seem to sit still. When we finally come to a stop outside the casino, I pay the driver and get out taking my stuff with me.
I look down, and shit, I was in such a rush I forgot to change. I’m in very short shorts and an oversized sweater with nothing on underneath. My feet are in flip flops, and I’m afraid as I walk in I’m about to be kicked out for dressing so inappropriately. Eyes track and look me up and down, but I keep my head high as I make my way to where I know Atlas is located—in his office.
Last time I was here, I sat in front of his huge double doors and didn’t go inside. This time, Sydney isn’t there to stop me as I walk over to the doors and push them open. I see him sitting behind his desk, cell phone to his ear as he looks up.
His amber eyes look me up and down painfully slow before both hands come to the desk as he puts his cell down carefully.
“Theadora.”
I take a deep breath and step closer, managing to pull the forms from my hand and lay them on his desk. He looks at them, then back to me. “What can I do for you on this rude intrusion?”
“Rude? You call me rude? Why on earth did you do that?” I ask, pointing to the forms on his desk.
“Sydney mentioned you want to run your own business. I was going to close that one down, as I no longer need it, so now it’s yours. Simple!” He doesn’t stand as he talks, just stays exactly where he is. “I perhaps would have expected a thank you,” he says with a smirk.
“Thank you,” I say, but I am shaking my head not meaning it. “Is this what you do, buy people?”
“Clearly, I am not buying you, Theadora. You will be purchasing it for a minuscule amount of its net worth.”
“I don’t want your charity,” I spit.
“It’s anything but charity,” he says, pushing his chair back as he stands. Atlas closes his laptop in front of him, and his eyes flick to the paperwork then back to me. “I made a mistake before, and I am rectifying it.”
“Mistake?” I ask, as I fumble and hesitate in confusion.
“I was angry. Hurt. No one causes both those emotions in me and gets to live, let alone stay in my life.” I understand what he’s saying—he is talking about Benji and how he blames me for what happened to him.
“I had nothing to do with that.” This statement couldn’t be truer, I would have never met Nicholas if it weren’t for Atlas. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s his.
Atlas steps around his desk and comes closer to me. I step back, not wanting his touch nor his presence anywhere near me.
“I know. I didn’t see things clearly,” he says, and something within me shudders.
“Good.” I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.
“I want you, Theadora.”
My heart beats heavily in my chest at his words—I have no idea what’s coming next.
“And I always get what I want.”
Turning back to face him, he’s leaning against the desk, one foot crossed over the other as he assesses me.
“You don’t want me, Atlas, you want the idea of me. You have Lucy. I hope you two are happy together.” I go to open the door, but his hand touches my waist while his other holds the door closed. I jump at the contact, but he doesn’t let go.
“No, I have always wanted you. Just you, Theadora, ever since the moment I saw you. Then, when I had you, I couldn’t seem to get enough,” he says, and my back straightens, and goosebumps fly over my skin. “As I said, I always get what I want.” Atlas turns me with one hand while the other comes up to my throat, pinning me to the door while his lips descend on mine.