Page 21 of Atlas (The Chaos Demons MC #6)

Anita

I take a bite of the sandwich Tessa grabbed me and screw my nose up. Cheese. I hate plain cheese, but she swore it’s all the local deli had left. I drop it on the packaging and turn back to my emails.

The door opens and I glance up as Tom enters.

My heart stutters in my chest. I’ve been waiting to hear from him since I left him with my case notes a few days ago.

I didn’t want to seem too keen by hassling him, so I lean back in my chair and watch as he saunters towards me with all the stealth of a black panther.

He passes Tessa’s empty desk. I gave her the afternoon off.

“Hope you don’t mind,” he says, sitting in the chair opposite. “I came right from court so was passing.”

“No, it’s fine.”

He dumps some files on my desk, then reaches into his bag and pulls out a paper bag. “I skipped lunch and I’m starving,” he says, opening the bag. He glances at my sandwich. “Not a fan?”

I look at it and shake my head. “It’s cheese.”

“Ah, sweaty cheese sandwiches remind me of packed lunch as a kid.”

I laugh. “Yes.”

He stuffs the paper bag back. “How about we go for a late lunch or early dinner?”

I hesitate. Anthony would go mad, and I don’t have it in me to keep creating stories to keep him calm. As if Tom senses, he shrugs. “Or not. I can make this quick and leave you to it.”

His words stir something in me. I don’t want him to leave. Right now, he’s the only man who knows it all. Everything . And I want to talk about it.

I stand, smiling. “No, it’s a great idea. I know a wonderful place a few streets away.”

I lock up and lead the way to a quiet little French place I sometimes go to when I need a quiet lunch alone.

It’s practically empty to my relief and we’re seated straight away.

The waitress asks if we’d like a drink and I stare at Tom who stares back at me. “Ladies first,” he says.

I’m so used to men ordering for me, I’m almost lost for words. “Erm, I’ll take a small glass of house red.”

“I’ll have the same,” Tom adds.

The waitress leaves us to look at the menu. “What would you recommend?” he asks.

I chew nervously on my lip. “I always have the steak,” I tell him. “They cook it to perfection.”

He closes his menu. “Steak it is.”

I close mine as the waitress brings our drinks. “Are you ready to order?” she asks.

Again, Tom waits for me to order first before adding his own. For the first time ever, I feel respected. I’m still marvelling at that revelation, when he leans closer and says, “I read the case notes.”

I come back to earth with a crash. “Right.”

“The shit that bastard has put you through.”

I stare down at the table, focussing on the patterned tablecloth.

“Hey,” he says in a sharper tone. I look up.

“It’s not your fault. None of it.” I want to believe him.

But my mother’s words echo in my ear. You wanted him to be like this and now he is, you want to leave.

Well suck it up because marriage is hard and you owe it to Leo to stick at it.

It wasn’t true of course. I never asked for Damien to switch the way he did. I felt betrayed, like he’d reeled me in with dreams of a better life, only to crush them the second I got pregnant.

“And I know there’s more,” he continues, bringing me back from my thoughts. “Stuff you’re keeping in there,” he says, gently tapping my head. “I need it all, Anita. Even the ugly stuff you’re ashamed of.”

“It won’t help,” I mutter. “I told my solicitor the first time, when Damien got custody. He said the judge wouldn’t take it into account because I didn’t report it to the police.”

“Can I ask why you didn’t?” More shame washes over me and I fidget uncomfortably. “I’m not judging,” he adds. “It’s a genuine question.”

“At first because I wanted it to work and was terrified of him being arrested, losing his job. Then it was because my parents shamed me into staying. And eventually, it just became a way of life. Until I left.”

“And you chose to leave?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure.”

“What does that mean?”

I allow my mind to go back to that time. “I wanted to leave, for a long time. But I was scared for Leo. I think Damien knew I wanted to go so eventually he forced me out.”

“How?”

“Affairs. Violence. His treatment towards me was getting worse and worse. He’d do things to embarrass me, and when I was at my lowest, he’d convinced me to go on anti-depressants.”

“And he used that against you in court.”

I nod. “He said I’d had a break down but refused help.

He made out it was untreated post-natal depression.

He even told the judge he’d caught me screaming at Leo.

” I give my head a shake, like that will somehow dispel the bad images.

“I ended up agreeing to the deal because I couldn’t fight anymore. ”

He nods in understanding. “So what’s changed, Anita?

” I look up. “Things have changed, right, in you?” I remain silent.

“You’re stronger this time. Freer.” He clasps his hands together on the table.

“I know you’re stronger, Anita, I’ve seen the way you handle your clients.

Even the biggest fuckers are scared of you. ”

I offer a weak smile. “It’s a show.”

“It’s not. It’s you. And I need you to bring that to the court room. That judge needs to look at you and see exactly what I see.” His eyes linger a little too long, but before he can elaborate, our food is placed in front of us.

I take the first bite of steak, and as I look around, my eyes land on my father who’s walking in with Damien. Tom sees my panic and frowns before turning around to see what the problem is. He gives an easy grin and sits straight. “Are you ready?” he asks.

“Ready for what?” I whisper hiss, panic taking over.

“That show we just spoke about.” He takes a sip of wine. “You need to put it on right now.”

I shake my head frantically. “No. I can’t be seen here with you. You have to leave.”

He laughs. “Take a breath, Anita.” His eyes pierce mine and I find myself following his instruction. “That’s my girl,” he whispers, his words surprise me, sending a fluttering through my stomach.

“Anita,” my eyes snap to my fathers as he assesses me, then Tom, who pushes to his feet and straightens his suit jacket.

“George,” he greets, holding out his hand.

My father reluctantly shakes it. “Tom. I didn’t realise sharks ate out in nice places like this.”

Tom laughs, releasing my father and turning to Damien. He gives a slight nod and lowers back to his seat without acknowledging him properly.

“Is there a reason you two are here . . . together?” Damien asks stiffly.

“Client confidentiality, Damien,” says Tom sternly.

He scowls. “You’re acting for Anita?” he snaps, glaring at me.

“I haven’t fully decided,” I mutter feebly.

“Yes,” says Tom, staring him down.

“Last week you were with the other fella,” scoffs Father and I feel my cheeks redden.

“There’s more?” asks Damien, suddenly interested.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” says Tom firmly. “But this is a business dinner.”

My father looks amused as he steps back. “Enjoy.”

I stare in horror as they head away to be seated across the restaurant. I bury my face in my hands. “Hey,” says Tom, gently pulling my wrists apart. “Let’s not look any other way than confident.”

“He’s going to ruin my life,” I mutter.

“Hasn’t he already?” I stare wide eyed. “You don’t have Leo. You’re trying to date a judge to impress them all in the hope they’ll support you. Anita, you’re already leading a miserable life, you’re exactly where Damien wants you to be. So take control.”

“I’m not using Anthony,” I lie.

He gives me a look that tells me he isn’t buying my bullshit. “We both know the truth.”

“He doesn’t even know about Leo,” I snap defensively.

“But that’s your plan, right. Tell him and hope he’ll somehow pull strings.” I look away and he leans closer. “He’s not a good man, Anita. You need to stay clear of him.”

“Surely with both of you, I’m more likely to win.”

“To what cost?”

Atlas

Rue stares at the bike with wide eyes. “I’ve never . . .” she trails off, lost for words.

“It’s part of dating a biker,” I say with a laugh. “Kind of a deal breaker if you can’t get on the back,” I add with a teasing tone.

“Isn’t this a big deal for you?” she asks, still keeping her feet firmly on the pavement. “I mean, not just anyone can be on the back of a club members bike, right?”

“You been researching, Rue?”

She shrugs her slender shoulders, and folds her arms over her chest, still eyeing the bike with curiosity.

“Will you go slow?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“But it’s my first time.”

I grin, grabbing her around the waist and tugging her closer. She let’s out a yelp, laughing as her hands land against my chest. “You usually like it when I go fast,” I murmur in her ear before nipping along her jaw.

Her cheeks go pink, but she doesn’t pull away. Her fingers curl into my shirt the way they always do when I hold her to me. Like it’s the only place she wants to be and she’s clinging on for dear life.

“You’re such an arse,” she mutters, but her mouth is twitching like she’s fighting a smile.

“Maybe,” I say, brushing my nose along her temple, “but I’m your arse. Now come on, Rue. Live a little.”

She exhales hard, scanning the bike like it might bite her. “What if I fall off?”

“You won’t.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one trusting your life to this small thing.”

I gasp in mock horror. “Don’t ever call my beast small again.” I hand her the spare helmet, watching as she hesitates. I take it back. “Let me,” I say, gently pushing it on her head and fastening the chin strap.

“Okay,” she says, drawing in a breath like she’s about to jump out of a plane. “But I swear to God, Atlas, if you go too fast, I will scream.”

I slide her visor closed. “I’m counting on it, baby.” Then, I swing my leg over the seat, fire the engine to life, and grin up at her. “Now get on.”