Chapter 11 #2
“None,” they said in unison.
She chuckled. “O-kay then. I’m probably better off not knowing.”
Knock, knock, knock
She jolted in her chair, all the amusement flying from her face. Viper got to his feet and Atlas placed his hand on hers.
“It’s just the guys coming to eat.”
“Oh.” Of course that made sense. There was enough food to feed an army.
Moments later, the room was full. With so many huge alphas in one space, the walls seemed to be growing closer together by the second. Conversations flew, and their voices meshed into one.
Molly stayed at the table so she wouldn’t be in the way. She’d eaten only half her wrap and a bit of fruit and yogurt. Her stomach still couldn’t hold very much.
Atlas had moved to the living room to talk with Wraith and Reaper.
Rogue took a call in the bedroom and a minute later returned, his face lit with excitement.
Wraith licked cheese off his thumb. “It’s about damn time.”
Molly’s interest piqued. She picked up her plate, tossed it into the garbage, and inched closer to the group.
“Where is he?” Atlas’s nostrils flared. He sat on the arm of the couch.
She gravitated to his side and ignored Rogue’s curious, watchful gaze. He secured an arm around her waist, pulling her against his hip.
Anticipation zipped through her.
“Harry said they’ve got a warehouse in Costa del Este. He went there today and saw Rex.”
Atlas inhaled, and his fingers tensed on her hip. “Then let’s go before he moves again.”
“Yeah, but it’s broad daylight,” Reaper said.
“So?” Viper volleyed. “I’m with Atlas. The longer we wait, the more chance he has to get away.”
Everyone looked at Rogue.
“We go now,” Rogue said.
She stiffened and wrapped her hand around Atlas’s bicep, worry channeling through her. The last time she’d left his side, someone had come after her. Had almost killed her.
His free hand folded over hers, gently squeezing. “What about Molly? We can’t leave her here.”
Molly lowered her gaze, avoiding the men’s eyes. Her cheeks burned under their focus.
“Someone needs to stay with her,” Viper said.
She pressed her lips together. The only man she wanted here was Atlas.
“Give me five minutes,” Atlas said crisply. He stood, took her fingers, and towed her into the bedroom with him.
As soon as he shut the door, she melted against him. “I’m scared.” Saying the words aloud felt ridiculous. But she couldn’t lift the fear crushing her chest.
She should be elated they’d found Rex. She was. However, there were so many uncertainties.
Atlas curled his knuckle under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that.”
She sighed. “It’s not that.”
He raised his eyebrows expectantly.
God, she could swim in his eyes for days without coming up for air. Just the sight of his stubble made her belly twitch with excitement, and the feel of his large, possessive hands was a permanency she needed in her life.
How could she tell him her deepest fear was that things would change between them? What would happen when these dire circumstances no longer tied them together?
To say she dreaded being safe from Rex sounded twisted even to her. There was no way she could admit that she wanted to stay huddled in a hotel with him for the rest of her days.
She might as well wear a giant red flag.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
He smirked. “Nothing’s gonna happen to me.”
“You don’t know that! I’m sure when things happen to people, it’s not because they walked through life saying ‘Something’s going to happen to me.’”
His smile grew. “All right. You’ve got me there. But if two bullets didn’t kill me, I don’t think much else will.”
She inhaled an irritated breath.
“Something else is on your mind.” He tugged her closer. “Give it up.”
She lowered her gaze, uncertainty weaving under her skin. “I guess it’s just fear of what happens next.” She bunched his shirt in her fist, gathering courage. “What changes.”
“You mean between us?”
Lifting her gaze, she gave one subtle nod.
He stroked her hair. “Well, I can’t guarantee much, Mol. I can’t say everything will go as planned today, nor can I say I won’t get injured.”
His fingers fell from her strands to land at the small of her back. “But I can say I like you a lot. I want to get to know you more.” His smile turned smoldering. “If you want to, that is.”
Emotions zipped through her. Excitement. Happiness. Others she couldn’t name. Atlas wasn’t the type to feed her bullshit lines. Besides, he’d already slept with her. If he weren’t interested, he probably wouldn’t even be standing here right now.
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” He rubbed her back. “Now here’s what’s going to happen. I need to be in the field today. I’ve lain low since we found you, and even though this is where I want to be—with you—I’ve got to pull my weight with my team.”
She studied the tattoo climbing out from beneath his neckline. “I understand.”
“Once Rex is taken care of, I’ll have a bit more work to do in the city. Probably another week tops to tie shit up. Then I’ll have a few weeks off, maybe even a month, depending on what Rogue has lined up.”
Her eyes widened and her heart strummed. “Then what?”
“Then . . . whatever you want. Would you like to go somewhere? A beach? Back home? You name it.”
“Okay,” she drawled cautiously.
“We can decide after we’ve got Rex handled. In the meantime, who would you feel most comfortable staying with while I’m gone?”
She folded her arms in front of her chest, pursing her mouth teasingly. “You mean I get to pick my babysitter?”
He snorted. “If they hear you call them that, they’re going to be pissed.”
“Well, that’s what they’ll be doing. Not that I’m not grateful,” she added with a shrug. “I’m fine with whoever. When will you leave?”
“We’ll need to get some intel on the warehouse first, so I’d say a couple of hours.”
“Can I use that phone you gave me to call friends? I know you need to discuss your plans in private, anyway.”
“Of course. Don’t feel like you have to hide out in here, though.”
She smiled. “I won’t. It just gives me a chance to let people know I’m okay.”
He kissed her head. Before leaving the room, he paused at the door, his hand loose on the handle. “And Mol, I plan to get to know you a lot better tonight.”
Desire thumped in her belly.
He slipped out and closed the door.