Chapter 10 #2
He tucked his phone in his pocket and his gun in his waistband. Then he pulled on his boots and made his way down the hall. Voices came from the room he’d shared with Viper earlier. He knocked.
The door swung open to reveal Viper’s shit-eating grin. Atlas balled his fists so he wouldn’t wipe the look off his friend’s face.
“I got a feelin’ you two didn’t get much rest,” he said teasingly.
“Not as much as your lazy ass. What happened?” He entered the room and let the door close behind him. “Where’re the guys?”
Viper walked over to the couch pressed against the wall between the dining room table and the balcony. The bedroom door was shut. “Sleeping. It was a long night with that fucker Damian.”
Atlas bunched his hands into fists and sat in the accent chair near the sliding door. The morning was still dark. Streetlights dotted the cityscape.
“He wouldn’t talk for shit. We’ve got his phone, though. Going to get Havoc to unlock it once he wakes up.” While all the guys could hack when necessary, Havoc had more expertise and would get it done quicker.
“When’d they get back? Any word from Harry?”
He nodded. “A bit. Harry said he’s going to put out feelers. He heard Rex was back in the city, but no one knows where.”
“That’s really fucking helpful,” he spat.
Viper shrugged. “I know, but it’s all we got. Harry’s been reliable so far. Hasn’t fucked us yet.”
“Doesn’t mean he won’t.” Bitterness wrapped around his stomach. No one could be trusted right now. Rex had tried to kill Molly—had come so damn close it made him physically ill. “So what the hell are we supposed to do? Sit here jerkin’ each other off?”
Viper’s brow dipped. “Man, I thought for sure you’d gotten laid. Sorry.”
“Shut up,” he snapped. “Don’t talk about Molly like that either.”
His friend’s face blanched a little, and he lifted his palms. “Dude. You know I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. You’re not yourself.”
Atlas leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, and held his head. “No, I’m not. Molly was almost killed. I never should’ve left her alone.”
“Bro, you can’t blame yourself for that.” Viper reached over and gave his shoulder a shake. “I understand she’s innocent. Didn’t deserve any of this. But your job isn’t to protect Molly.”
Hesitation filled him. He looked up at Viper, lowering his hands. “It is now.” The words came out grave, resigned. Because hell. He was falling for Molly, and he’d be an idiot to pretend it wasn’t happening.
Viper’s mouth twitched. “Awe.”
Atlas snorted a laugh. “Asshole.”
“I mean it. I’m happy for you. Hope it works out. For now, though, let’s keep our eye on the prize—”
“If you’re asking me to leave her again, I swear to fuck.”
“Not saying that at all.” Amusement danced on his friend’s face. “Molly’s a priority. Noted. We’re this close”—he held his thumb and index finger a smidge apart—“to finding Rex. Bastard is close enough we can smell him.”
He let out a loose breath. “All right. What’d you do with Damian?”
“Put it this way—wasn’t an enjoyable night for any of us. Beat the hell out of him and ditched him. Once he’s found, it’ll be a message to Rex. If we don’t get to him first.”
An image of Molly fighting off her attacker, alone, flashed in his mind. What would’ve happened if both men had gone in for her? Obviously they’d waited and watched. Knew she was alone. Figured it was a one-man job.
He balled his hands into fists. He couldn’t kill the bastard who’d attacked her in the bathtub, but he’d pay big money to get his hands on anyone else involved. “Good.”
“Why don’t you head down to breakfast? Is your lady up?”
His stomach growled. If he was hungry, Molly would be too. And he knew she likely wouldn’t want to sit at a restaurant with the bruises still coloring her face.
“Do you mind bringing food up to my room? I’m sure she’d prefer that.”
“Sure. What’s she eat?”
Hell. He had no idea. How had he fallen for her so quickly? Maybe his feelings for Molly were nothing but an intense reaction to wanting to keep her safe. “I don’t know. Just get a few things.”
He nodded. “I’ll meet you there.”
Atlas made his way back to the room. Using the key card, he opened the door.
Molly sat on the edge of the bed, his T-shirt now covering her. Her face brightened when he walked in.
“Hi,” she said sweetly.
He grinned. “Morning. How’d you sleep?”
“Okay until I realized you weren’t here.” She stood. The hem of his shirt barely reached the middle of her thighs.
Need shot through his core. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her slim waist. “I’m here now.” Hell, he sounded horny as fuck. Maybe because he was. Though after last night, he should’ve felt more satisfied.
Molly had a strange effect on him. She drove him out of his mind with need, was the perfect match for him between the sheets, yet he was still hungry for her.
She smiled. “Glad you didn’t run off.”
He frowned, some of his lust dissipating. “You thought I’d left? Didn’t you see the note?”
“Yes.” The smile never left her face. “I only worried for a second.”
His heart clenched. It hadn’t crossed his mind that she’d think, even for a minute, that he’d bailed. “You might have a lot of shit to worry about right now, but me leavin’ ain’t one of ’em. Got it?”
She rolled her lips together. Her eyes shone with appreciation. “Got it.”
“Good.” He slapped her ass. “Get some clothes on. Viper’s coming to the room with food for us.”
She paled. “Oh my gosh. I’m practically naked!”
“Exactly how I want you,” he said, forcing away the desire to drop to his knees and bury his face in her all over again. “At least when we’re alone.”
She placed a firm hand in the center of his chest. “Oh, no you don’t. I’m going to shower and change. Anything beyond that will come later.”
He bowed his head to nip at her bottom lip. “We’re both coming later.”
She laughed, pushing him back another inch. A carefree light danced in her eyes and hell, it made him so damn happy. After all she’d been through, if he could make her laugh even one more time he’d die a happy man.
“Shower. Clothes. Food.” She patted his sternum as though he were a good dog, then backed away. “Stay,” she commanded.
A laugh rumbled in his throat.
She bent down to scoop up her bag, then shrieked and ran into the bathroom, shutting the door in a fit of giggles.
He just hoped to god she could shower without having PTSD.