Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“I didn’t think it was a smart move, but she asked. And after everything, I said yes,” she says quickly.
“Said yes to what?” I push my chair back as I stand, my hands clench tightly together.
“She asked to see your father.”
“You told her not to do that, right?” I question through gritted teeth.
Sydney steps back. “No. She went to see him.”
My hands slam down on the desk, making her jump. “You did what?” I scream at her.
“He can’t harm her in jail,” she says. “And she asked. She’s been through a lot, Atlas. A whole lot.”
“I know how much she has been through.”
“So, if you keep trying to control her moves, you will never win her over.” Sydney turns and quickly walks out of my office.
I’m sitting at her office desk when Theadora walks in. She jumps when she sees me and places a hand over her heart.
“You scared me, Atlas.”
“Did I?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
She’s lost so much weight. I nod to the food I brought with me, and she looks at it before she sits down and grabs a spring roll, placing it in her mouth to take a bite.
“Why are you here?” she asks, then adds, “Thanks for the food.”
“You’re welcome. You need to eat more,” I tell her, but she doesn’t say anything back. “So, where were you?”
“Who said I was anywhere?”
“I’ve been sitting here for over an hour. So, where… were… you?”
She places her food down. “It seems you already know.” She’s a clever girl, this one.
“I’d like to hear it from you, if you would please tell me.”
“Please. Wow! I bet you had difficulty getting that word out of your mouth?”
“Eat.” I nod to the food. “And no, that word I only reserve for those who deserve it, or have my respect.”
“Well, I know I don’t have your respect, and I’m not sure what I did to deserve it.” Theadora shrugs.
“You do have my respect, undoubtedly. I know I may go the wrong way in showing it, but you do,” I tell her honestly. No other woman has earned more respect from me than the one sitting in front of me.
“Wrong way, indeed. You kidnap me, you treat me as if I’m a child instead of your equal.” She shakes her head. “You don’t have respect for me, Atlas. It’s the complete opposite.”
“I do,” I say, arguing the point with her.
“Whatever. What is the real reason you’re here? It can’t just be to bring me food.”
“You didn’t accept the car or the cell.”
“I accepted the business, that’s my limit. I will get my own cell and car, thank you very much.” She crosses her arms over her chest, defiantly.
“You went to see my father,” I finally say.
“I did.” She doesn’t deny it but doesn’t tell me anymore either.
“And?”
“He is an arrogant prick.”
I smile at her words. “That he is.”
“You two look alike.”
I scrunch up my nose. “I don’t accept that.”
“But you are nothing alike. He sees everything for himself… he’s selfish.”
“You don’t see me that way?” I ask, leaning in.
“Oh, you are selfish. You have proven that. But he’s on an all-new-level that’s for sure.”
“What did he say to you?”
“That he killed your mother.” She continues to speak after my non-reaction, “You knew this then?”
“Yes, I knew,” I tell her.
A knock is heard on the door, and we both turn as Tina pops her head in.
When she sees me, her eyes narrow. “I’ve come to see if you’re free for dinner.” Tina glares at me.
“Yeah, I should be able to finish up in about an hour. If you want you can go and check on that outfit you asked me about,” Theadora replies.
Tina nods and shuts the door on her way out.
“My father won’t be an issue for you anymore.” I stand and make my way to her door.
“I don’t want you to be an issue for me anymore, either, Atlas. I want you to get out of my life.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You can. I don’t want you. I want you to go away and never come back. Take your people with you, and leave.” Her voice wavers as she speaks. “Please.”
“Theadora…” I step closer to her, my hand reaching out, but she steps back even farther, putting distance between us.
“Atlas, go back to your life, and I will go back to mine.”
“I’m not sure I can,” I tell her honestly.
“You need to.” I watch as her hands shake, and she quickly hides them behind her back. “I want to go back to my own life, Atlas. I can’t deal with all this anymore. Everything is Lucy’s fault, and you have handled that, which I thank you for. But please… please… let me go.” A tear slides down her face, and I reach for it. When my hand touches her face, she closes her eyes for a fraction of a second before those sky-blue eyes penetrate me.