19. Atlas
Atlas
“This is a bad idea,” I stated once Maya was asleep and we were steadily on our way. It was only about an hour flight, and my security team had already let me know the media had been informed of our arrival.
This was why we fucking stayed in Washington.
Henry interrupted me momentarily by raising the volume on the news. The stock market was about to close for the day, and an excited look came over our beta’s face as he stood, pointing at one of the companies running in the banner.
“Do you fucking see that, Marco?” Henry grinned, clearly trying to focus on something positive to lighten the mood. “What did I tell you? Didn’t I tell you this was going to be their week?”
Henry really, really, really liked investing. I muttered a curse as Maya shifted—I really needed her to keep sleeping so that she was well rested when we arrived. I worried about her, considering, you know, the fact that she’d fucking died less than twelve hours ago.
“I know.” Marco chuckled, watching the screen. “I believed you enough to buy shares in it, didn’t I?”
“How much did it go up?” Sai asked, aimlessly wandering the cabin.
Henry opened his tablet. “A few hundred thousand per share. No big deal, but it is nice to know my program worked.”
I frowned, thinking about how much attention our wealth would bring towards Maya—one of the negatives of Marco’s company being so damn successful.
“We’ll be fine. I would never let anything happen to her,” Marco stated, finally responding to my statement.
I looked down at Maya’s sleeping face, her lashes fluttering with the turbulence, so I shifted her slightly, hoping to make her more comfortable.
Unfortunately, all I did was disturb her more.
She sat up, rolling her shoulders back and pushing those perky fucking breasts out while stretching.
My eyes traced her slender neck, that fucking mating mark making me groan.
I wondered how long it would be until the mating heat hit her hard, hoping it would be prolonged for a bit.
I didn’t think she was completely ready for that, and I would love to tell you that I was strong enough to resist her, but if Maya crawled onto my lap and asked me to fuck her, I would.
In a fucking heartbeat. I didn’t think any of us were strong enough to deny her anything she asked for, let alone that.
Needing to direct my thoughts elsewhere, I let my mind wander to the events of this morning. I’d felt protective over her from the start, but this morning had really changed something.
My dragon felt semi-sated after he’d broken both of her supposed parents’ necks.
Well, we did. It wasn’t enough, though, and trying to push it under my skin wasn’t working very well.
The only thing that was helpful was that she was so relaxed and calm.
I could tell she authentically felt peaceful, and I worried about how she was dealing with this so well.
It didn’t seem natural. Still, on some level, I had to trust her.
But the ‘bad idea’ aspect of today?
The media. I didn’t—I repeat, did not—want her in the eyes of the media.
Maya spoke softly, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You look sad. Why?”
“Not sad,” I said, rubbing a thumb over her cheekbone. “Just concerned. You’re going to have a lot of pictures taken of you here in a moment.”
She nibbled her lip. “Is that bad?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I just don’t like the security threat it poses.”
She climbed on my lap, her eyes intelligent and bright. “Don’t worry, Atlas. We’ve got this.”
I loved hearing the word we from her mouth because it made it clear that she had accepted the bond.
I had never expected to find our mate here—honestly, I hadn’t given much thought to it at all, and I sure as hell never expected someone like Maya.
The way she viewed life, the strength that she inhabited despite everything she’d gone through, made me want to be a better man—the best possible mate for her.
There were so many things I already loved about Maya that sometimes it felt overwhelming to think about.
As the plane landed, I buckled her back in as she laughed at the bounce.
I couldn’t enjoy it though, not when my eyes caught sight of the line of media against the fence of the private airport.
Everyone started shifting, gathering their things, and I knelt down to help Maya slip on her boots.
She blushed, and I nearly shook my head.
I still wasn’t sure how it was possible for someone to be equally adorable and sexy at the same time.
My brain flashed to her in that lace pair of panties with a fucking bow in the back. I would love to unwrap that present one day.
“She’s going to be warm,” Ledger pointed out.
“We can change once we get to the house,” I muttered.
Maya stood, and when the plane came to a stop, I grasped her hand in mine and led her to the door.
Marco offered me a look that was meant to be reassuring, but I still didn’t have a good feeling about this.
Having her this exposed, both here at the airport and with the Dragon Council, made me nervous as hell.
I know he said the trip wasn’t about showing her off and was meant to be relaxing, but I still didn’t like it.
What was wrong with relaxing at our house?
Or never leaving her fucking bedroom?
As soon as we stepped out, the cameras and shouts started.
We were a bit of a known entity around here, hence the reason I’d founded a security company.
Marco’s business had boomed, and along with that, the twins were usually swarmed with people.
Add on Henry’s young, record-breaking medical career and Sai’s fighting, and we tended to draw a crowd.
I watched Maya, who instead of looking nervous as I’d expected, had a surprised smile on her face. Marco had a hand on her lower back as they walked next to one another.
In the eyes of the public, they’d be a couple. That didn’t bother me…no, actually, it did. It did bother me because she was mine also. Dragons were complicated like that, possessive yet happy to share within their flight.
As if knowing what I was thinking, Maya looked back at me and flashed a smile, offering a hand.
I met Marco’s gaze, and the boy I’d first become best friends with was there with an amused grin.
He shrugged, and I shook my head, taking her hand as people over the fence flipped.
I could practically hear the five o’clock news already.
“Maya,” I said, “humans are a bit different with their relationships.”
She blinked innocently. “You mean having six mates isn’t standard?”
Now that sassy tone was just fucking unfair. She adapted so quickly, and that could only mean she would adjust to the twins’ sarcasm and our intensity, something I loved. It was like we were leaving an imprint on her while she still managed to maintain her sweetness and strength.
“They’re going to talk, honey,” Marco said, although he didn’t look like he gave a fuck.
“They can talk all they want. Last time I checked, they weren’t on a plane with their six handsome mates. So, their loss.”
Marco laughed, and I shook my head. While her point was valid, she never ceased to surprise me.
Our drive was pretty straightforward, and while paparazzi followed alongside us, Maya gave zero mind, shedding her jacket and looking over the Los Angeles streets with interest. I tucked her jacket away, and as we approached a set of white gates that rose in greeting, she moved forward to kneel on the seat and watch.
That was one of the things I appreciated most about the woman—her pure curiosity and interest for things.
It was nearing sunset, the sky painted in stunning hues of red and purple, as we pulled around the circular driveway to the massive Grecian style house that faced the ocean.
As soon as the car stopped, Maya was out and striding to the door, a huge smile on her face.
The twins caught up to her and walked right through the foyer, past the grand staircase and ornate classic furniture, towards the balcony that overlooked our private beach.
The gauzy white curtains shifted around her as she looked over the ocean.
“I’m starting to think this house was a good purchase,” I said to Marco.
Marco’s eyes moved back to her as he replied, “I think this house was bought for her, whether we realized it at the time or not.”
Minutes later, Maya had found her way upstairs and changed into a sundress.
I’d opted for a more casual outfit of shirt and shorts as well, but I didn’t feel nearly as relaxed as she looked.
I could see the men I had lining the property, but it didn’t help, and Marco, despite his words, was a tad tense, the two of us smoking cigars in the cool L.A. evening air.
The twins were walking along the shore with Maya, and Sai was setting up a bonfire. Henry stood talking on the phone, making arrangements for tomorrow night.
“I’m surprised you said yes to the concert,” I noted.
Marco snorted and looked away from Maya’s long dark hair that, like her dress, was flowing behind her in the breeze.
Barefoot, the pastel blue dress with a bow on the back was the only color on the shoreline other than the twins’ clothing.
I could hear her laugh from here, and to look at her, you’d think this morning had never happened.
But it had. Which was why I was really thankful for the level of security I had available. Jed was dead, but there were other threats out there, and I wasn’t about to let them touch her.
Marco blew out a puff of air. “I think I’d do anything for that woman.”
I nodded and drew a hand through my hair, my dragon rumbling in agreement. I wondered if she’d ever realize the power she had over us.