Heartbreak You (Heartbreak Duet 2)

“You don’t know what you want, though, do you? You go back and forth, which isn’t good for a child. A child needs stability,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “Give that child another home… one that isn’t yours. That’s all I’m saying.”

“You have some nerve, some real balls of steel, don’t you. And I’m going to let that slide based on the fact your boss is injured and supposedly again it’s somehow all my fault, even though I not once asked to be dragged into any of this bullshit.” I take a deep breath. “So, yes, this once I will let your mean girl comments slide.” I turn to walk away and throw over my shoulder, “Goodnight, Tina,” as I leave.

The damn bodyguard follows me, and when we get outside, I don’t see Atlas’s car where I parked it.

“You are kind of a badass.”

I jump at that voice.

Turning around, I look at the bodyguard. His hands are in his pockets as he watches me, then he nods his head to the black car parked near us. “Our ride is here. Sir’s car was collected earlier today.”

I nod. “Thanks.”

“It’s no problem. I do as I’m told.” He opens the back door, but I go to the passenger side and get in.

“You aren’t my chauffeur, so I’ll ride up front if you don’t mind,” I say as he slides in next to me.

“I’m not sure sir would be happy,” he states, but starts the car anyway and pulls out of the lot.

I lay my head on the side window. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“What’s your name?”

“Ronnie.”

“Nice to meet you, Ronnie.”

“You too, miss. You, too.” We drive back in silence, and when we get to my house, I jump out, and Ronnie stays in his car. Walking in, I find Lucy lying on my couch, and she’s asleep.

“What the fuck,” I scream.

She startles awake and sits straight up while rubbing her face.

“You need to leave. Leave, now, Lucy. You have done enough damage to everyone around you to last a lifetime.”

“You should be happy, Thea. I’m giving you everything you have ever wanted. The man, the kid…” She throws her hands up in the air.

Ronnie walks in, a gun in his hand as he looks where I am located. “Are you okay?”

“Put the gun down, Ronnie, it’s just my sister.”

“Your sister. The one who shot sir?” he asks, raising his gun again.

“No,” I say, the lie falling from my lips. “Please, leave,” I beg Ronnie.

“I’ll be right out the front. Please yell if you need me.” He turns and pockets his gun as he leaves. Once I hear the click of the door, I turn back to Lucy and raise an eyebrow.

“I hate you,” she spits, and hits me over the head with something hard.

Everything goes black.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Atlas

“You aren’t meant to leave yet,” Sydney says.

It’s been a week, and she hasn’t come to see me, and I haven’t asked for her either. I asked her not to come because I don’t want her to see me that way.

“I need to leave. I can’t just sit here, I’m fine,” I tell her.

She reaches out and pokes me in my stomach, causing me to stagger back. “See… you aren’t fine. Now get back in bed.”

“Sydney, get my shit, I’m going home.”

She stands there, not doing anything.

Ronnie walks past, and I look from him to Sydney.

“Why is Ronnie here? Is Theadora here?” Sydney looks to the floor as I slide on my shirt. The doctor said I was recovering nicely and could go home if I took it easy, but he highly recommends I stay. “Sydney?”

“You can’t fire him, or me for that matter,” she says, grabbing my bag and throwing it over her shoulder. “We can talk in the car. It’s probably best not to do it here,” she says. “I know how you get when Theadora’s involved.”

“What did you do, Sydney?” I ask in a gruff voice.

She shakes her head and walks out of the room, taking my bag with her. When we get to the elevator, I turn to face her, but people step in, children along with them, halting my inquiries for now. I see a sigh of relief leave Sydney as we go down.

Stepping off the elevator, Sydney puts distance between us before I can say another word. When we finally get to the car, Sydney turns to face me. “Ronnie isn’t on her anymore.”

Ronnie’s sitting in the driver’s seat of the car.

“I can see that, Sydney. Now tell me why, when you know I instructed it.”

“You were injured and put me in charge. I took Ronnie off her,” she says, matter-of-factly.

“You did what?” Looking to Ronnie who’s quietly waiting, I ask, “When was the last contact you had with her?”

“I haven’t seen her since that night, sir, when I took her back to her house, and her sister was there.”