He shows me his teeth, as if he’s going to bite me, then releases my arm. When he does, I take a step back so our bodies no longer touch.
“Your sister did the opposite… she threw herself at me.” There’s a smirk, a pause, then he continues, “Where you want to maim me.”
“If I could, I would never see your face again.” I smile as I say those words because they please me. Turning, now that I am free of his hold, I walk out of the club and wave down a cab. Atlas follows me outside and stands next to me, his team of security, or whatever the hell they are, all stand back. I didn’t even notice they were there with him when he had his hands on me.
“Are you following me?” I swing my head around to look at him. His hands are in the pockets of his black trousers.
“No, you’re in one of my establishments. Coincidence only.”
“Yeah, sure… if you want to call it that.” My words are clipped, and I am angry.
“You have a mouth on you, that’s for sure. The last woman who spoke to me that way ended up with my cock in her mouth to shut her up,” he declares smugly.
I gasp, my cheeks reddening at the thought. “That will never happen. You will never happen.” I shiver at the thought, showing my disgust outwardly.
“You try to be a good liar, but you suck at it. Bad.” His voice turns smooth, and I have to look away or he will know I am just that, a liar. Even if there are some parts of me that are disgusted by him. Actually, no, a lot of me is disgusted by him, but I still think he is incredibly attractive. I am not blind to his outward charm.
“I feel like you wouldn’t really be able to recognize a liar from someone telling the truth. Everyone in your circle probably lies to you anyway, or maybe they just tell you what you want to hear.” The cab pulls up, and I open the door, looking back to him. “Goodnight, Atlas, enjoy your evening.” I climb in and try not to look back as the driver drives off. My cell dings, and I pull it out to read the message.
Unknown: Only someone with a death wish lies to me. Would you be so stupid?
I save his number and choose not to reply. I feel like Atlas is a man who’s used to getting what he wants, and he simply doesn’t care who he hurts to achieve his goals.
I am not that person.
I choose to not be his new plaything.
Chapter Seven
Theadora
His secretary is at my door again, this time with another new dress. This is twice this week. Will I be doing the same thing? I feel even if I ask the question, I won’t get the answer from her anyway. Her whole face seems to be in a permanent scowl.
“He told me to tell you to be ready by eight. Atlas said that should be plenty of time from now. You’re to wear the heels you had on last night…” she pushes the dress bag into my hands, “… with this.”
“Umm… okay. Anything else?”
“Your sister is a cunt! Thought you should know that,” she asserts with a scowl and slight drop of her head.
My eyes go wide at her words. “You’ve seen her. She’s okay?”
“He told you she was okay, so, of course, she is.”
“Yes, but I haven’t seen proof. Am I just meant to take the word of a man who is blackmailing me?” I ask, pointing out the damn obvious.
“He could have killed you. It’s been done before. So, yes, you should take the word from a man who’s looking after your sister instead of killing the both of you.” She turns and walks out my door.
I follow and stand on the step. “You don’t like me. Why?” I question her.
She looks up over her glasses. “Because you hold a power I don’t possess.” Then she climbs in her car, slams the door, and drives off the same as last time.
Going inside, with the dress still in hand, I notice this one reads, Saint Laurent. Fucking hell! Why does he keep sending me expensive dresses to wear? I am not keeping this one, no fucking way. Upon opening the zipper, I see the bright pink foil-looking dress. This one is short, cute but very short. It has a one-shoulder neckline and a shimmering look about it.
In a word or two—it’s fucking beautiful.
And the same price tag as the last one.
Sliding it on, I start to get ready. This time I actually take longer than fifteen minutes, since I have more time. I curl my hair and loosely pile it on top of my head, securing it with bobby pins. Then grabbing my black heels I had on last night, I put them on, then finish my makeup. I take my time adding a bright pink lip-gloss to match the dress, and shimmery pink and smoky eyelids.
Fifteen minutes to eight, I hear a knock on my door. Is he early? Grabbing my purse, I go to open the door, and as I do, another knock comes. Pulling it open, Atlas is standing there, hand raised as he looks at me.
“You assumed I would be late?” I ask him, my hand going to my hip.
Devilish eyes assess me. “No. You do not disappoint.” He turns, walks to the car, and holds open the door for me.
“What am I to be doing tonight? Flirting with the round man again?” I question with an eye roll.
“Round man?”
“Yes. He is round and loud,” I reply while sliding into the car.
“Mr. London is…” He thinks on it while sliding in after me, then he fixes his suit jacket, which is much the same as the last time. “I guess, yes, he is round,” he states with a head nod. “But, no, tonight you will observe and listen for me. Don’t speak to anyone, do not tell anyone who you are with or your name. Do you understand?”
I nod at his request.
“I need to hear you say it, Theadora. Speak that you understand. It’s paramount that you do. These men are dangerous.”
“I’m in a car with one, am I not?” I say, referring to someone who’s fucking dangerous.
“Touché. Now, tell me you understand. That you will be quiet and not speak. Just listen.”
“What am I listening for exactly?”
“If you hear my name or my casino’s name, that’s what you should be listening out for.”
“Okay, I think I can do that.”
“Think?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I can do that.” I nod. “Is this the stuff you had Lucy doing?” I brave a question in the hopes he will answer.
“You want to discuss your sister?” he asks, to which I nod my head eagerly.
“That can be arranged once you pay off her debt.”
The car comes to a stop and Atlas opens his door.
“The car will take you around the block one more time. Your name will be at the door for entry.”
“I can’t come in with you?” I ask.
“No. Now you know what you are to do?”
“Listen,” I say.
“Yes. Listen and don’t talk to anyone, Theadora.”
“How much will this knock off? I calculated the other night I have worked, and you said it was over a million. So how much does tonight equate to?” I ask, hoping for some kind of answer.
“We will discuss upon your completion tonight.”
I nod.
Atlas shuts the door, and the car takes off around the block. I check my cell purely out of nervousness and put it straight back in my purse. When we reach the front again, I climb out and walk the steps until I arrive at the person who’s holding an iPad checking names. Giving them my name, they smile, then let me inside.