“You’re letting me go.” I say, cocking a brow at him. “Without an escort?”
“I trust you.” He says, evenly. “Now go. My driver should be here in a few minutes.”
I look down at the set of keys in my hand and grip them tightly as my emotions threaten to surface.He really does trust me.
“Where are you going?” I ask, trying my best to hide the emotion in my voice.
“Hell’s Tavern. I'm due for an appearance. While I’m there, I’ll see if I can catch wind of anything.”
I smirk up at him. “I thought there were stipulations.”
“There are, but if The Mercenaries tried to scope out Hell’s Tavern, people would immediately know something was up. Besides, no one knows the ins and outs of my club better than I do.”
“I’m coming with you.” I say, keeping my head held high. “If your theories are correct, whoever took Alex meant to take me. Maybe seeing me alive will make them realize their mistake and they’ll come after me instead. At the very least I’ll be able to notice if something feels off with someone.”
Atlas assesses me, as if he's trying to decide what to do next. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines and waiting for something to happen. I need this. Not just for Alex’s sake, but for my own too.
A frown forms on his face before he responds. “I’m not going to willingly put you in danger.”
“Please.” I beg softly, looking up at him with pleading eyes. “If I go back home, I’ll be alone, and if I’m alone too long, I’ll think about her. Doing this gives me purpose.”
Atlas takes a step closer and pulls me into his chest. “Stevie, we’re going to find her.” He says, leaning back to look me in the eye. “Whoever has her, whatever plan they have, they need her alive.”
“I know.” I say, blinking back the tears threatening to well in my eyes. “But there's a lot of damage you can cause to a person before you kill them. That's the part I'm worried about.”
For a moment, we stand in the middle of the parking garage, just wrapped in each other’s embrace. Atlas grips me so tightly it’s borderline painful. Like I’m slipping through his fingers, but if he holds on tightly enough, I’ll never leave his side. And I hold him like he’s the home I never had but always wanted. Like he’s the shelter from the storm that’s been my life. We stand like that for a few minutes, just savoring the moment and feeling the history between us come full circle.
When our hug finally breaks, Atlas is the first to speak. “I hate to admit it,” he says, “but your plan may be the best option we have. In order for it to work, we need to make sure every single eye is on you the second you walk into that building.”
“How do we do that?” I ask.
“I've got an idea.” He smirks as his eyes slowly drink me in. “Get in the driver's seat. You’re well overdue for a grand entrance.”
Sixteen
Thirty minuteslater and the two of us pull up to the entrance of Hell's Tavern. We haven't even gotten out of the car yet, but I can already feel the vibration of the EDM music pumping through the speakers. I look at the long line of people waiting outside and bristle. Anyone of them could’ve played a part in Alex’s disappearance.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Atlas asks, linking his fingers with mine.
I look down at our intertwined hands, and the tender moment is bittersweet. I never thought we’d get here. Allowing ourselves to express our emotions for each other so freely, like this. And now it's like at any moment the closeness I feel with him could be stripped away. I don't want to lose him, but I know if something happens to my sister, things with us will never be the same.
“It's the only thing I can do.” I respond, squeezing his hand a little tighter. “It keeps me busy, which is a good thing. You know how I am with idle hands.”
Atlas gives me a smirk before stepping out of the car to meet me on the driver’s side. He helps me out and gently glides his arm over my shoulder in a casual sign of possession that sends a little thrill up my spine. The crowd’s eyes follow our every move, but Atlas seems utterly unfazed. His stride is powerful and his head held high as he ushers me straight up to the front door.
“They’re all staring at us.” I whisper as I tuck in closer to his side.
“Not us, Kitten.” He says as his lips form into a devilish grin. “You.”
His statement gives me pause, and for a second my feet stop moving. “Why are they staring at me?” I hiss, looking up into his eyes.
“It's not every day a queen arrives to claim her throne.”
A new wave of nervousness hits me.That’s it, isn’t it?This visit isn’t just about finding Alex. It’s about sending a message. The last time I was here, I was a toy, brought in solely for The Reapers’ amusement, but that isn’t my role in their lives anymore.
Tonight, as I walk into the building under Atlas’s muscular arm, I’m staking a claim on something I never knew existed. I’m letting his entire world know I’m the one he chose. I’m his queen. I have no doubt in my mind that my new title will be tested, but I’ve never been more ready to fight for what’s mine.
Heavy is the crown.
