Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Molly stared at the water spitting from the showerhead. Her heart pounded and tears stung her eyes. She stood next to the tub, her hands tucked under her armpits, shielding her breasts from the violating spray.
All she could envision was the man shoving her beneath the water, holding her down. Her throat and nose burned with the memory of the soapy liquid rushing into her body, strangling her from the inside out.
She blew out a breath.
Viper would be arriving soon, and she couldn’t even get in the shower. Maybe she’d just pretend she’d washed. But then her hair would be dry, and—
A soft knock sounded at the door. “Molly, you okay?”
Atlas.
She rolled her lips together. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not in the shower.”
A grin wrestled itself over her mouth. She turned to the door. “Are you alone?”
“Yup.”
She popped the lock and eased open the door a crack. He had one hand high on the doorframe, his body close enough to touch.
“How’d you know?”
“Lucky guess.”
She pursed her lips.
He chuckled. “I could tell the water was just raining down on the basin. You gonna let me in or not?”
“Viper’s going to be here any minute.”
“So what? He can wait. Besides, he drove to get our food, so we’ve got a bit of time.” He spoke casually, and she was grateful he couldn’t hear the anxiety roaring in her head. To her, it seemed loud enough to shake the center of the earth.
He gently pushed open the door until she stepped back. Shame flooded her face. She kept her gaze down, willing the nerves to disappear.
The lock clicked, and she glanced up to see him removing his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“I haven’t showered yet either. Mind if I join you?” He shoved his pants down his legs without waiting for her response.
Delicious heat spread to her face. “Um, you don’t have to . . . I’m fine. Just a little nervous.”
Moving past her, he held his hand under the spray, then yanked it out. “Jesus, woman. You want any skin left on your body or what?”
She couldn’t help but smirk. “It’s not that hot.”
“Yeah, and I’m not riddled with sin either.” He stepped into the tub and held out his palm. “Come on.”
Warmth spread through her. She placed her fingers in his and he helped her step into the spray. He turned so his back shielded her from the water pelting down. Steam surrounded her.
Atlas brought his hands to her shoulders. “You good?” His intense, scrutinizing gaze searched every inch of her face.
She couldn’t hide her fears. Not from him. “I’m okay. A little anxious.”
His mouth settled into a thin line. “Tell me if it gets to be too much.” He picked up a bar of soap, scrubbed it between his hands, then ran his palms over her back, working in gentle, cleansing circles all the way down her body.
Despite the sensual scene, he didn’t linger when he reached her breasts, didn’t play with her ass or slip his fingers where she would’ve welcomed them.
She wanted a distraction. She couldn’t get the man’s masked face from her head. Atlas straightened, then backed up so the water rushed over her body. She leaned closer to his chest.
“Not so bad?” he asked.
She rested her hand on his jaw. “Nothing’s bad when you’re here.”
His gaze held hers with understanding, then dropped to her neck. Anger flashed in his eyes. He moved his thumb gently over the tender skin. “I hate that you got hurt.” His voice was so thick with regret, it made her heart ache.
She hugged him, bringing her cheek to his chest. “It wasn’t your fault, Atlas.”
His warm, large hands splayed over her back. “No, but I want you to know it won’t happen again.”
“I hope you’re right.” Her stomach growled.
“You must be hungry. Let’s hurry and get out.” He reached for the shampoo bottle and gestured for her to turn around. A minute later he finished scrubbing and her legs were jelly.
The man was an expert with his hands.
After he rinsed the suds, he slathered her strands in conditioner then eased her head to rest on his shoulder. The spray washed over her hair. She tipped her head back more and a rush of water ran over her nose and mouth.
She gasped and sputtered, jerking forward. The memory of being underwater, inches from oxygen, assaulted her mind.
Atlas’s calm hands caught her biceps, steadying her. “You’re okay. Just breathe.”
She turned to face him. Rivulets ran over his shoulder and down his chest. Her gaze focused on the bullet hole below his shoulder.
He cupped her cheek. “Hey. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Not with me here.”
Droplets of water rolled down her cheeks. “I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t.”
His face softened and his lips parted. He brought his mouth down on hers, kissing her softly. She rose onto her toes, and his hands settled on her hips. Carefully, he eased back.
Heat stained his cheeks. “Not to rush you or anything, but if we don’t get out of here soon, I won’t be able to hold back.”
Desire rippled over her skin, turning her nipples hard. Before she could say anything, he pulled her close and finished rinsing the conditioner from her hair. He pushed the strands over her shoulder, then reached behind him and turned off the tap.
He stepped onto the bathmat, then snagged a towel from the rack and held it open for her. God, he was so unfazed. She couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious about how thin she’d become. Though he didn’t seem to mind.
Atlas, however, just stood there in all his glory. “Coming out?”
She nodded and stepped out of the tub. He bundled the towel around her while she drank in his body as if he were a bottle of champagne. Her gaze stopped on the sharp indent in his thigh.
“Is that where you were shot?”
He grunted. “I’m not going to land any leg-modeling gigs.”
She grimaced. “It looks like it still hurts.”
He flashed her a grin. “It’s fine. Only hurts sometimes.” He grabbed a towel for himself and began drying off.
She quickly dressed alongside him and then brushed her teeth. He finished before her and exited the bathroom.
By the time Molly had braided her hair and left the bathroom, Viper was at the table spreading out food.
“Morning, Molly,” he said cheerfully, taking a carton from a paper bag.
Atlas placed paper plates on the table. “Viper bought out the city.”
She moved closer.
“Did not. I only went to two places.” He flashed her a grin. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving, thank you.” She accepted a plate from Atlas and looked at the spread of treats on the table. Fruit, breakfast wraps, yogurt, and pastries. “Oh my gosh this looks amazing.”
She filled her plate and took a seat. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know what your first name is,” she said to Viper. “I’ve only heard the guys call you by your nickname.”
He chuckled. “Callsign. Don’t even know if the guys remember my given name.” He thrust a hand toward her. “Troy Evans.”
She placed her hand in his much larger one. “Nice to meet you,” she said demurely, as if they hadn’t already spent hours together.
He let go of her hand and snagged another breakfast wrap. He already had one on his plate along with a double helping of fruit, two pastries, and yogurt.
“Don’t mind him,” Atlas said. “He eats like an elephant and is about as smart as one, too.”
Viper scoffed. “Shows what you know. Elephants are extremely intelligent. Smarter than you, that’s for sure.”
“Ha-ha.”
Viper settled into a chair and his body took up every inch. He picked up a plastic fork— the poor utensil was swallowed up in his huge hold. “Feelin’ all right today? You look better.”
Her cheeks tingled. She looked better because she’d had mind-blowing sex the previous night, but she sure as hell wouldn’t tell him that.
Atlas lifted the corner of his mouth, seemingly amused by her expression.
She cleared her throat. “I feel stronger every day. I’m sorry to impose on you guys.”
Viper waved her off. “Nonsense. Shit’s boring as hell right now.”
She opened a strawberry-banana yogurt and picked up a spoon. “Is it possible Rex got away? Left Panama entirely?”
Atlas took a huge bite of his breakfast burrito, then wiped his mouth with a napkin. He shook his head. “Not likely. From what we understand, he’s got business here to tie up. If he took off, he’d lose out on millions of dollars. My bet is he’s desperate to sell what he has left.”
“What kinds of drugs does he sell?”
Viper looked at Atlas curiously.
Molly lowered her spoon. “Sorry. I guess all that’s top secret.”
Atlas winked at her. “You can ask me anything. Always. But until he’s caught, it’s best you know as little as possible.”
She plucked off a piece of her pastry. “I understand.”
Viper polished off his wrap, then wiped his hands on a napkin before diving into some fruit. “Did you talk to your sister?” he asked Atlas.
Atlas’s brow furrowed. “No. Didn’t have the chance. Why d’ya keep asking me that?”
Viper shrugged. “No reason. Just making conversation.”
Atlas narrowed his gaze. “Have you heard from Paige?”
The tone of his voice made Molly raise her eyebrows. She glanced between the two men. Atlas looked suspicious. Viper seemed nervous.
“’Course not. I mean, not since we were home. Don’t worry, last thing I wanna be is related to you through marriage.”
Atlas snorted. “As if Paige would marry you anyway.”
“Well, that’s mean!” Molly cried. Viper was definitely easy on the eyes. Not that she found herself attracted to him. Atlas was the only one who could get that engine started. But she could appreciate a muscular man any day.
Viper grinned. “It’s all right, doll. He’s just down for a pissing contest.”
“There’s no contest.” Atlas flashed his teeth.
Viper guffawed. “I guess not. I remember when Paige told us you’d only piss outside until you were five.”
Atlas scowled. “Shut up.”
Molly covered her mouth, not even trying to hide her shock. “You didn’t.”
“He most certainly did. Drove his mom batshit.”
“Hey, I grew out of it.” He smirked. “Kinda.”
Molly peeled open the paper around her wrap. “You two are entertaining. What other dirty secrets are you going to spill for my benefit?”