[Avery's POV]I take deep breaths, trying to calm my tumultuous mind, but with each passing minute, I'm being dragged further and further into the past, until it feels like I'm there again on that night that my mother and I finally escaped that hell.Despite all the years that had passed, it was still so fresh that I remembered every damn second of it vividly.The night had started like any other, with my mother in the kitchen cooking dinner while I did my homework in the living room.I wanted to get it done early so that I could show my father just how smart I was because I was sure he would be proud of me.Back then, life was simple, and my family was happy. Little did I know that underneath that facade, my parents both kept a horrible secret from me. One that would change my and my mother's lives forever. It was right around the time that my mother finished cooking and ordered me to go wash up when the pounding on the door started.At first, I tried to go answer because I was too
[Avery's POV]When I get home, I find my stepfather alone in the living room, and by his demeanor, it is clear that he was waiting for me. The usual stench of alcohol is a lot stronger, and the eyes that take me in are bleary. Whatever the hell was bothering him was serious, and I was half tempted to turn and head out of the house again.Immediately, I go on alert as I stop in place and wait for him to deal whatever blow he is about to deal."Avery," he begins, speaking gently as if he actually cared. "I've been waiting for you.""I figured," I respond, narrowing my gaze. "What do you want?"After the day I had, I wasn't in any mood to pussyfoot around with this man. I wanted him to tell me what the hell he wanted so I could go see my mother, shower, and then go to bed since I would have to get up early to start job hunting."How's the new job?" He asks, causing me to go on high alert because of his sudden interest. "Are you liking it?""Fine. It's a job," I respond slowly."And the p
[Atlas’ POV]I stare into Avery’s hazel eyes, trying to figure out what in the world was going on in her head. After that show of pride of hers yesterday, why was she back here? She could say that was a joke, but I knew better, and from her pinched expression and the dark circles under her eyes, it was easy enough to tell that something more was going on here."Well?" I push as she continues to remain stubbornly quiet. "If you tell me the truth, I may consider letting you stay. Otherwise, you can get the hell out of here."I knew that being harsh wouldn’t get her to budge, but I was frustrated. Since she stormed out of my office yesterday, I couldn’t get her look of betrayal and pain out of my head. It was maddening considering the fact that there was nothing between us, but I knew that I was at fault in some ways since I decided to remain neutral in whatever the hell was going on between her and my son."I need money," she sighs, beginning to deflate. "Is that a good enough reason?"
[Avery's POV]Stop.Stop crying.Don't give him a reason to look down on you.Stop.The pleas repeat themselves again and again in my mind, but my body doesn't listen. Instead, the sobs continue to come while Atlas stares on.How was it possible that he would appear here, of all places?I didn't want to be doing something like this, but I was desperate, and the time to make twenty thousand was growing shorter and shorter.When I went home that day after embarrassing and shaming myself, I found my stepfather with two men. And when they spotted me, hunger immediately appeared."Is this her?" One had asked, giving a slow smile. "She's as much of a beauty as you said."At his words, my heart dropped, and I realized that what my stepfather had said the day before was true.In that moment, panic set in, and all I wanted to do was get my mother and get the hell out, but before I could get anywhere near her, I was being grabbed and thrown down.I began to fight with all my might, but three ag
[Atlas’ POV]Come Monday morning, I sit at my desk waiting for Dean to make an appearance while my mind whirls with images of Avery. For the entire fucking weekend, I found myself wondering if she was back at that strip club, shaking it for all those men, and then giving them the same lap dance she gave me. Just the thought of it left me fuming, but I managed to keep from going down there to see for myself.That isn't to say that I didn't almost cave a few times, but I didn't want to strain our relationship any further, especially if Dean uncovered that there was something that she truly needed help with given her history with my son, because I refused to think of the alternative to why I was so fucking concerned for a woman I barely even knew.Now that the weekend was over, I could only hope that Dean completed my task, and once I knew what was going on behind the scenes in Avery’s world, I could come up with a way to make sure that she didn’t have to go back to that place, and if sh
[Avery's POV]The sound of my phone going on rouses me from the sleep that I just managed to fall into. I had to work much later at the strip club than I expected since one of the girls called off, but ultimately, that was fine since it meant more money. However, I had a cleaning job later and hoped to get a bit of sleep, but here I was jumping for my phone in hopes that the notification was a response to the hundreds of job applications that I put in.Holding my breath, I open the email to find that I didn't recognize the sender, but to my surprise, it was an offer for a live-in housekeeping position with a down payment of fifteen thousand and a duration of only six months. I had to admit that it was pretty good, but I couldn't quite believe that I was this lucky.Frowning, I find myself wanting to respond with a yes to it immediately, but what would become of my mother during that time? I couldn't possibly leave her with my stepfather. Would they allow her to come with me and stay w
I pace around the room, lifting my arm every now and then to check the time, only to find that it wasn’t standing still and was growing later and later, and so far there hadn't been any word from Avery about whether or not she was accepting the offers that I sent to her."Dammit," I hiss in frustration, beginning to wonder if she was truly that proud. "Stubborn woman."After spending most of the afternoon yesterday making phone calls and setting things into motion, I had expected to have heard some word from Avery by this point, but it was already three in the afternoon and there was nothing.Did this mean that she wasn't going to accept? Or maybe she realized that I was the one behind it and didn't want my help? Either way, I wasn't going to just stand around and take no for an answer. Growing impatient, I reach for my jacket, which is hung over my chair, and pull it on, then begin to move, heading out of my office just in time to see Dean rushing toward me."What is it?" I demand w
[Avery's POV]I stare up at the condominium in front of me, remembering the last time that I was here. Embarrassment and anger rush through me as images of that fleeting time with Atlas appear.In a way, I couldn't believe that I was actually here again and about to go into that same damn condo, but given my current situation, I had no other choice, especially if I wanted to make sure that my mother and I would be left alone in the future."This time is different," I remind myself, shaking off the negative emotions and the sudden need to turn and run away. "You won't allow yourself to be degraded like that ever again."Right, I was simply here to clean, not to fuck or anything else. That time was in the past, and it wouldn't be happening again since Atlas had someone and I refused to be the other woman. I wasn't Sadie, and I wouldn't stoop so low as to ruin someone else's relationship.With this thought in mind, I head inside while ignoring the stares that follow me until I disappear
[Avery’s POV]"Congratulations, Mrs. Jennings!” My doctor beamed, handing me a long sheet of ultrasound pictures. “You’re pregnant!”Nodding, I took in the tadpole-looking creature in the pictures that I had been handed. Although I expected that this was what was wrong with me when the nausea and dizziness started, it was still amazing to see.Atlas and I had been back together for two years, and despite our best attempts, we hadn’t managed to get pregnant. Just when I was beginning to lose hope, here I was, pregnant.“Thank you,” I beam, hopping off the examination table.“Of course, be sure to give this to whatever pharmacy you use.”Smiling, I take the prescription for a prenatal from him and then head out. After dropping off the prescription, I head to the store to buy a few things before heading home.When I arrive, Atlas and Aiden still haven’t arrived, giving me the perfect opportunity to set up my surprise for them. By the time I’m finished, both appear, and before I can even
[Atlas’ POV]The feeling of an empty space beside me jolts me awake as irrational thoughts begin to overcome me, each worse than the other. Since a week before mine and Avery’s wedding, nightmares of her disappearing on me again began to haunt me, and even now that we were married and even on our honeymoon, the fear that she would just vanish forever still left me in a panic.As I take in the large empty room around me, the fear continues to grow until it is damn near suffocating and I feel like I’m going to throw up.Jumping up, I rush out and take in the empty living room. The sight only makes my panic grow.“Avery!” I call, starting to move again, this time in the direction of the kitchen. “Where are you?”The sound of the fridge door closing comes in response to my question, and before I can stop myself, I’m rushing forward until I see her standing at the counter with a bowl of fruit in one hand and whipped cream in the other.“Atlas?” She asks, her eyes widening in shock. “What’s
[Avery’s POV]I stare at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. As I take in the woman staring back at me, I feel my heart fluttering with anticipation and my stomach churning with nerves.After a year of planning, it was finally the big day where Atlas and I would become husband and wife. I was both excited and terrified, as the thought of forever still scared me.Taking a few deep breaths, I push my long, dark hair, which is curled to perfection, over my shoulder so that my bare shoulders are exposed. Frowning, I let my gaze come to rest on a single hickey that Atlas placed on me the night before.“Asshole,” I grumble, reaching for some foundation so that I could cover it.“Let us, miss!” Melanie, my beautician, gasps. “Today is your day to relax and be pampered!”“It isn’t that big of a deal,” I point out, but allow her to take the blending sponge from me. “You’ve already done enough!”As I speak, I take in my reflection once more, admiring the professionally placed makeup on
[Atlas’ POV]My dick throbs at Avery’s words, and I can’t control myself. Reaching out, I lift her into my arms and beeline straight for the bedroom. Once inside, I throw her on the bed and then go to the dresser to find a belt.“Hands out,” I announce after I’ve found it.Nodding, she does as I say, holding her wrists together in anticipation of being confined.“Such a good girl,” I murmur, wrapping the belt in place. “Now lay on your stomach.”I watch as she moves around, laying on her stomach and sticking her ass up in the air for me. Giving a giggle, she waggles it about until my hand connects with it.“Oh, Atlas!” She gasps as I smack her ass again and then slowly run my fingers over the beautiful handprint that now colors her porcelain skin. “More.”“Do you like it when I spank you, little minx?” I ask, smacking her ass again. “Does it turn you on that much to be punished by me?”“It does,” she confirms, laying her head on the bed and closing her eyes. “I love it when you do any
[Avery’s POV]I stare on in disbelief as Atlas looks up at me with so much love and determination that it makes my heart feel full.“Avery King,” he begins, opening the box so that I can see a diamond ring with opalesque accents. “I’ve been waiting five years to ask you this, and I don’t want to wait any longer. Since the day you came crashing into my life, I couldn’t get you off my mind, and with each second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and even year, I grow more and more enamored with you.”With each word, my heart beats faster until I’m sure it is going to beat out of my chest, but I want to hear more.“I’ve said it many times, but those five years without you were torture. Your smiling face, adorable gestures, and strength and beauty haunted my every waking moment. Never in my life have I met someone who could possess me so wholeheartedly—mind, body, and soul—but you managed to do it, and now I never want to let you go. I want you to be my first good morning and my last goodni
[Avery’s POV]My cheeks flush ferociously as Atlas stares at me, unspeaking. Dammit, couldn’t he say something? The silence was beginning to make me feel like I had said something wrong.“Wait til I get you alone,” he finally growls, his eyes darkening. “I’m going to..."“Mr. Jennings!”Saved by the doctor. Letting out a sigh, I turn my gaze to watch him walk in with a push cart filled with the items needed to remove the bullets from Atlas’ body.“Now isn’t a good time,” Atlas tries, but stops as I narrow my gaze on him. “Fine,” he sighs, letting out a chuckle. “But make it quick.”For a moment, the doctor doesn’t speak as he looks from Atlas to me and back, but when he decides that whatever was going on wasn’t too serious, he focuses on Atlas.“Whatever it was, I can wait.”After that, he busies himself digging into Atlas’ skin so that he could pull out each and every bullet that was lodged in him. Once he finishes, he stitches the holes closed and then wraps them.“Now,” he begins,
[Atlas’ POV]“Can’t you go any faster?”I fix my gaze on the medic that is working on wrapping my injuries as my impatience grows more and more.“Sir, I’m going as quickly as I can,” he responds, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “You’ve got bullets lodged in your body, and you’re demanding that we simply wrap your injuries and allow you to go.”“If you’re just going to fuss, then I'm..."“Going to allow these nice men to continue their job,” Dean offers, pressing a finger against one of my wounds.Hissing in pain, I shoot him a glare but remain silent until finally the medic finishes and steps back.“That should keep you from bleeding out,” he says, still looking uncomfortable. “But you really do need to come in and let us perform surgery to get those bullets out.”“Only once I’m sure my wife and child are okay,” I counter, getting up and throwing on my jacket. “Dean, let’s go.”Nodding, Dean follows me to his awaiting car. I climb inside and wait until he slips into the driver's
[Avery’s POV]I stare at the hole where the elevator had just been while my heart hammers in my chest. It was hard to believe that I was just mere minutes away from plummetting to my death, and that left me frozen to the spot, but I knew that I couldn’t continue to stay here.“We need to get out of here,” I announce, tearing my gaze away and fixing it on the man and woman who had helped me. “What floor are we on?”“Tenth,” the man responds.Right. So we had ten more floors to reach freedom.“Then there are ten floors between us and safety,” I continue, getting to my feet.As I stand, a hiss of pain escapes me as the cloth of my shirt pulls against the injury on my back.“Oh my goodness,” the woman gasps. “You’re hurt!”“It’s fine,” I assure her, trying to ignore the pain I feel. “Which way are the stairs?”“This way,” the man responds.Nodding, I motion for him to lead the way as I pick up Aiden and cradle him in my arms. Despite everything that he was currently experiencing, he was a
[Atlas’ POV]The feel of nails running along my skin rouses me from the darkness that I’m encompassed in, but something about them feels wrong. They’re much too sharp, and instead of feeling pleasant tingles from them, I feel nothing but disgust.Grunting, I attempt to roll away from them, but find that my wrists and ankles are bound.Prying open my eyes, I take in Tonia as she lays beside me with a look of contentment and pride on her face.“Oh, did I wake you?” She giggles, continuing to let her fingertips caress my skin. “I wanted to let you sleep a bit longer, but when I see you without a shirt, I just can’t help myself.”Without a shirt? What the fuck was this woman talking about?Frowning, I tear my gaze away from Tonia and take in my naked torso. Further down, I can see my briefs, but they’re the only thing that I’m wearing.“Where are my clothes?” I growl, attempting to move again, only to be reminded that I’m currently trapped. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”Was she reall