[Avery's POV]I don't speak as I follow Atlas into the large resort that is the destination of the meeting that he has to attend.Inside is decorated fancifully with a large chandelier hanging from the roof that is painted to look like a perfectly blue sky, marble floors, and walls decorated with celebrity guests that have visited the resort in the past.He continues to move until we reach a small room with two men dressed in suits already sitting at a table."Atlas!" One of the men announces when he sees us. "Welcome!""Thank you for having me, Ken," Atlas responds, pulling out a chair and then motioning for me to sit. "I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.""It was nothing," Ken responds. "Please have a seat."Nodding, Atlas sits down beside me and fixes his gaze on the two men across from us."Shall we get down to business, gentlemen?" He asks, turning completely professional. "I'm sure you are aware of the reason that I wanted to meet with you.""
[Avery's POV]"So where exactly are you taking me?" I ask, turning my gaze from the window beside me to Atlas's. "We can't possibly be going to your place since Connor lives there.""No, not that," he responds. "Even though it would help with our plan, wouldn't it?"Right, our plan. That was all that was going on here, nothing more and nothing less, so I didn't need to get myself so worked up.This was all for the sake of revenge for Connor's betrayal, and I couldn't let myself get caught up in thinking otherwise. The man beside me was off-limits emotionally. I could only allow myself to be involved with him physically."It would," I confirm, giving him a smirk. "But then we wouldn't be alone."At my words, a slow smile spreads across Atlas' face as he leans in close so his lips brush against my ear."You're lucky we're in a cab right now," he growls, nipping my lobe while the hand behind my head brushes my hair aside so that his fingertips can trail along my skin. "Otherwise, I would
[Atlas’ POV]I let my hands travel up Avery’s thighs until my fingers slip beneath the band of her thong, so I can begin to pull it down until I have the perfect view of her smooth, shaven pussy that is dripping with desire."Fuck, little minx," I hiss, inhaling her delicious scent. "You’re already this soaked just from a little bit of teasing, how will you be when I'm fucking you senseless?""You'll just have to find out," she responds.Nodding, I lean forward and take her nipple, ring, and all into my mouth and bite down hard on it, causing a moan of delight to escape her lips while I finish removing her thong and then throw it aside.Releasing her nipple, I reach up, wrapping my hand around her neck, and pull her mouth against mine once more while my other hand works to spread her legs so I have perfect access."Just relax," I whisper, feeling her tense a little. "Otherwise, you won't enjoy it.""I am," she counters, though her body is shivering.Letting out a laugh, I simply shake
[Avery's POV]I stumble into the house, and the smell of booze and cigarettes immediately hits my nose. Grimacing, I pull off my heels and throw them aside before making my way to the living room, where my stepfather and his friends sit, placing bets on a wrestling match. From how loud they are being, it is clear that they're already two sheets to the wind and honestly didn't need this damn beer that I had to pick up.After leaving Atlas' condo, I planned to go to the bar to nurse my wounds, but ended up getting a phone call about picking up some beer for the men sitting in front of me, and of course I couldn't possibly say no since I knew that he would threaten me with my mother if I didn't.That was his favorite thing to do, especially since he knew that she couldn't possibly be out on the streets, and if that happened, I would ultimately blame myself."About time," my stepfather huffs. "What the hell took you so long?""It's called traffic," I sigh, handing over the twenty-four pac
[Atlas' POV]I sit at my desk, looking over paperwork, trying to distract myself.Despite convincing myself that my interest in Avery was just a whim, I still couldn't get her angry and hurt expression off my mind, even after going many rounds with Francine in the dark room.Sighing, I lean back, pinch the bridge of my nose, and stare at the door, wondering whether or not she would show for her shift today. After what happened, I wouldn't blame her if she didn't, but somewhere deep down, I hoped she would.Maybe it was because I knew that she was very capable, or maybe it was to make sure that she was okay after I made a fool of her. It was something like that, and I didn't want to think too hard about my reasoning.Lifting my arm, I check my watch to see that it is fifteen to eight. She had fifteen more minutes to show.As this thought hits, the door opens, and I feel my hope rise, only to be dashed away as Dean comes waltzing in."What?" He chuckles, taking the seat across from me.
[Atlas's POV]Nodding, I make my way over to Greg and then kneel, placing my hand on his shoulder while his frightened gaze comes to meet mine."I'm sueing!" He hisses. "For abuse in the workplace.""The only one abusing anything is you," I counter with a smirk. "Pocketing money as if it isn't a big deal. Tsk tsk. Did you really think I wouldn't find out?""It wasn't me!" He gasps, being the coward that he is. "I-it was Harold!" He continues, naming his assistant. "He t-threatened to place the blame on me if I said anything, so I...""Save it!" I sigh as the sound of feet heading towards us reaches my ears. "For your trial."Standing, I watch as four men dressed in all black enter the room and surround Greg."He's all yours," I announce as they lift him and then quickly disappear.Once they're gone, I lean down and pick up Avery's shoe, then make my way to her."Thanks," she says, holding out a hand, but I ignore it, dropping to one knee and then lifting her bare foot. "Hey!" She gasp
[Avery's POV]I make my way down the hall away from Atlas' office as the sounds of that woman's flirting echo behind me.Dammit, why did she have such good timing, always catching us at the worst possible moment, and this time it wasn't even anything serious? Yet there she was, glaring at me as if I were some sort of homewrecker.Ugh, it was frustrating. Why am I having such bad luck these days? Did I do something to offend the universe? Maybe I committed some grave sin in my past life?Sighing, I round the corner and feel my heart drop to my feet. I have to suppress the ironic laugh that wants to escape me.How was it possible that just after leaving two lovebirds, I ran into another two who were all but making out in the hallway of a very highly esteemed company?Grimacing, I try to turn but stop as I feel eyes coming to fall on me."Avery?" Sadie’s voice drifts toward me, and it is filled with both shock and disgust. "Are you seriously going so far as to hang around Connor’s father
[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]"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