Page 2 of Atlas (The Chaos Demons MC #6)

Atlas

“It was a no go,” Grizz tells Axel as we step into his office. “The place is too open.”

“You sure?” asks Axel. “I thought it would be ideal.”

“For what exactly?” asks Grizz.

“I called church early. I’ll tell you my plans in there.” He stands, and we follow him from the office.

“I’m your VP, shouldn’t I already know?” mutters Grizz.

We all take our seats and wait for the other members to join us. Pit fist bumps me as he lowers onto the chair beside me. “Tessa wants me to head out after this and look for Nita,” he says quietly so only I can hear.

I frown. “Why?”

“Apparently, Nita hasn’t responded to her texts, and she’s worried.”

“Maybe she’s just busy.” Her words from earlier come back to me. “She said she had something on.”

He sighs heavily. “A date,” he mutters. “She went on a date, and Tessa’s got it in her head that she’s now lying in a ditch somewhere.

” He shakes his head. “I know there’s some weirdos out there, but if I had to check on Anita every single time she went on a date, I’d basically be her personal bodyguard. ”

I clench my jaw. I suspected as much, but shit, what’s so wrong with me that she can’t just take what I’m offering? “Sorry, man. Tessa asked me not to tell you, but I’m sick of this bullshit every time she goes off radar. I don’t get why Tessa feels so responsible for her.”

I stand. “She’s a good friend.” I turn to Axel. “Pres, I gotta go. I’ll catch up with shit later?”

He gives a nod, knowing I wouldn’t walk out of church without good reason.

Minutes later, I’m turning my bike into the car park of Angelo’s Bar. It’s her favourite place to come because the staff know her.

The second I push the door open, I wince at the sound of Nita’s singing.

And there, on the bar, is the woman I love.

Luckily, the place is deserted, with only the barmaid wiping glasses and the doorman sitting on a stool, watching Nita sway with clear amusement.

He spots me and stands, shaking my hand.

“I was gonna call, Atlas, but she lost her mind when I mentioned you, so I figured you were the reason she’s in this state again. ”

I shake my head. “I’ll never be the reason,” I say firmly. “Always call me.” And I pass him a bundle of rolled up notes.

He takes them gratefully. “Sure thing, boss.”

I head over to Nita, standing before her and holding up my hand.

She groans dramatically and takes it, her singing coming to an abrupt end.

I reach up and grab her around the waist, lifting her off the bar top with ease and placing her on the ground.

“I told you not to call,” she yells to the doorman.

I take her chin in my fingers and pull her gaze to me. “He didn’t. Tessa was worried when you didn’t answer her texts and calls.”

“I’m fine,” she cries.

“Would it hurt yah to tell her that?”

She pulls her chin from my grasp and picks up her drink. She keeps her defiant eyes trained on me as she tips it back, gulping the liquid down. Then she places it on the bar. “Another,” she says, arching a brow like she’s waiting for me to object.

The barmaid looks at me for direction, and I nod. “Give the lady what she wants,” I reply, still holding the eye contact.

“Just say what you’re thinking,” Nita snaps.

I smirk. “Baby, you ain’t in the right headspace to hear me.”

She narrows her eyes. “Try me.”

The barmaid tops up the glass, and Nita finally turns away. “Yah know what, I’m not staying here with you judging me.” She taps her card against the payment machine but leaves the drink where it is, gathering her things and swaying in the direction of the door.

“Thanks,” I tell the barmaid, and I follow her out into the car park.

Nita rolls her eyes, dropping her bag on the ground and trying to put her coat on. I take it, holding it for her so she can slip her arms in. “I don’t need you to keep showing up for me, Atlas.”

“I know.” I pick up her bag.

“And Tessa has no business telling you where I am.”

“She didn’t.”

Nita scoffs. “So, how did you find me?”

“Call me clever.”

She snatches her bag from me, spinning on her heel and almost toppling over. I take her arm to steady her before letting go and marching off in front. If I tell her to get on the bike, she’ll only refuse and cause a fuss. Besides, I don’t think she’s in a fit state to ride pillion right now.

I eventually hear the sound of her heels following and smile to myself.

Ten minutes later, I stop outside her house, and she passes me, pulling her keys from her bag. When she sees I’m not behind her, she turns. “Aren’t you coming inside?” I shake my head, and she forces a smile. “Fine. See you around.”

See you around . Fuck, if she doesn’t press every damn button. “Goodnight.”

I turn to leave, and she adds, “I was on a date.” I keep my back to her, my hands clenching as a jealous rage builds inside me. “He was hot.”

“Go inside,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Make me.”

I turn back, and she’s smirking. “Anita, you’re drunk.”

“I could call Jonathon back if you’re not up to the job.”

I don’t know how I suddenly get up in her face, but she wraps her arms around me and pulls me inside, kicking the door shut and pressing her lips to mine in a hungry kiss.

“I’m up to the job,” I hiss, holding her neck loosely as I slide my other hand up her leg and under her skirt.

“And if your date went so well, why the fuck were you singing all alone in the bar?” I shove my hand into her underwear, and she grips my shoulders, gasping.

“Are you wet for me or Jonathon?” I snap, running my fingers through her folds.

I pull my hand out and hold it up for her to see, and when she goes to speak, I shove my fingers in her mouth.

Her eyes burn with need as she licks them clean.

I want her. I want her so badly, my balls ache.

But I step back and release her. “Go to bed, Nita.”

She narrows her eyes. “You rushing back to someone?”

I almost laugh, shaking my head in annoyance. “I’m not like you,” I say. “There is no one else for me. I thought I made that clear.” I leave, slamming the door behind me and marching down the path before I can change my mind.

By the time I get back to the club twenty minutes later, church is over, so I go into Axel’s office. “Sorry about that, Pres,” I say, and he glances up. He points to the seat in front of his desk, and I take it.

“Pit told me it was about Anita.” I nod. “She okay?”

I shrug. “She’s difficult,” I admit, and he laughs.

“Ain’t they all?”

“I told her I’d never give up on her,” I continue, “but I’m close.”

“We all have a limit, brother. You’ve put a lot of time into her. We’ve all noticed.”

“But she don’t wanna be my old lady,” I tell him, the words causing an ache in my chest. “And as much as I think deep down that she does, I can’t keep putting myself through this torture.”

Axel nods in understanding. “I get it,” he says, “and we’ll back you whatever. Hell, we’ll find a different lawyer for the club if we need to.”

I smirk. “Thanks, Pres. What did I miss?”

“There’s a new club in town,” he says, and I sit up straighter. Gangs have come and gone, we’ve made sure of that, but a new biker club? “Relax, they’re good. The president is an old friend of mine. He’s setting up and was looking for somewhere to store his shit.”

“What shit?”

“Mainly drugs,” he mutters, glancing away.

“And we’re okay with that?”

“You know I hate that side of things,” he says.

“If I can pass our business their way, knowing they’re keeping it good quality like we have, I’m more than happy.

” The only reason the club took on that side of things was to stop gangs running shit onto our streets.

I nod in understanding. “It means we can concentrate on weapons. It’s what we’re good at. ”

“And this club’s gonna run alongside us?”

He nods. “I put it to a vote in church. All voted in favour.”

“You know you have my vote, Pres. Whatever you think is good for us.”

He leans forward. “You need to lay things on the line with Anita,” he tells me, “then get your head in the game. We’re gonna be busy, and if I can send you on runs, it might help you get over her.”

I nod, pushing to stand. “I’ll talk to her.”

Anita

My head is pounding, and I groan as I feel around for my mobile phone.

Once it’s in my hand, I drag it closer and force one eye open.

“Shit,” I mumble, when I see it’s gone ten in the morning.

I force myself to sit, grabbing the glass of water from the bedside table and gulping it down.

It’s warm—fuck knows how long it’s been there—but right now, I don’t care.

I drag myself into the shower and then dress for cold weather, because standing on the football lines on a Saturday is always cold, no matter what time of year it is.

By the time I get across town to the football field Damian pinged to me yesterday, I’m very late. I sip on the black coffee I grabbed on the way here and sidle up to where Damian stands. He glances at me like I’m something he stepped in. “Late as usual,” he mutters.

“Sorry. I worked late.”

“Worked?” he questions, smirking. “Or played?”

“How’s he doing?” I ask, focusing on my thirteen-year-old son, who’s currently chasing after the ball.

“He scored two in the first half, then realised you were a no show and played shit in the second.”

I bite my tongue, something I often do around this man. “So, they’re winning?”

“No, Anita. Look at the damn board,” he snaps, nodding in the direction of the large scoreboard.

The final whistle blows a minute later, and I groan. How the hell did I sleep through my alarm?

Leo runs over panting for breath and covered in mud. He grins wide, and I high-five him because, apparently, he’s too big for hugs in front of his teammates. “Well done,” I say. “You did amazing.”

“You only just got here,” snaps Damian, rolling his eyes.

Leo’s smile fades, and I force a smile. “Two goals, that’s amazing.”