Page 31 of Atlas (The Chaos Demons MC #6)

Atlas

“Is it supposed to make that sound?” Grizz asks, eyeing the coffee machine like it might explode.

“It’s heating up,” I mutter, frowning at the blinking lights like they’ve personally offended me. “It’s fine.”

Axel leans against the counter, arms crossed, smirking like he’s watching a rom-com instead of me trying to set up the world’s most unnecessarily complicated machine. “So let me get this straight, you spent how much on a coffee machine?”

“Does it matter?”

“Depends. Is this to impress us?” He gestures between himself and Grizz. “Because if so, I take oat milk.”

Grizz chuckles. “You don’t even drink coffee these days, man.”

“Yeah, but if Atlas is making it, I might start.”

“Both of you shut up,” I mutter, fiddling with the milk frother nozzle. “It’s for Rue.”

There’s a beat of silence, then Kasey’s voice pipes up from the doorway. “You’re gonna have to do more than a cappuccino to get back in her good books.”

I glance up. She’s leaning on the frame, arms crossed, watching me like she’s amused but not unkind. Her eyes flick to the coffee machine, then back to me. “She’s still very mad.”

“I know.”

“And sad,” she adds, pushing off the door frame and stepping closer to inspect the shiny gadget.

“I’m working on making that right,” I say.

I go back to the buttons, heart thudding harder than I’d admit. The stupid machine hisses again.

“What even is that thing?” Grizz asks, peering at the instruction booklet I’ve got folded beside me. “Looks like it could launch a satellite.”

“It makes her coffee just the way she likes it,” I say, sharper than I mean to. “She can’t leave the compound, so I figured . . . I’d bring it to her.”

Axel whistles. “You kiss one lawyer and now you’re compensating with appliances.”

I shoot him a look. “That’s not what this is.”

“Sure it’s not.”

“I messed up. I know that. But I’m starting again with her, behaving how I should have in the beginning.”

Kasey moves into the kitchen and grabs a mug from the shelf. “She doesn’t stop looking for you when you’re not in the room. But if you tell her I told you that, I’ll end you.”

I give a small smile, thankful she’s trying to help me. Having her on side is half the battle won.

Axel reaches for the machine just as it lets out a high-pitched beep. “You reckon this thing’s gonna kill me?”

“Touch it and I’ll break your hand.”

He grins. “Ah, there’s the romantic we know and love.”

I ignore him and pour the first coffee. It’s got the swirl. The foam. The vanilla syrup.

It’s not an apology. But it’s a start. It’s stupid, probably. She might not even take it.

But I carry it anyway.

The clubhouse is louder than usual, someone’s music is playing down the hall, and girls are laughing near the pool table. But all I see is her.

Rue. She’s curled up at the table with Lexi, her knees tucked to her chest like she’s guarding herself. I don’t think she even knows she does it.

I step through the doorway, mug in hand, and then I hear her and my heart sinks. “Atlas!”

I turn to glance in Anita’s direction. Her voice slices the moment clean in half. Too cheerful. Too much. I pause, barely, then keep walking.

“Can I talk to you a sec?” she calls out again, her heels tapping behind me.

“No.” I don’t turn. Don’t flinch. Just keep my eyes on Rue.

She sees me. Her back stiffens, then her hands freeze mid-fidget. She’s wary, cautious.

I slow as I reach her, the mug held steady.

“You said you missed the coffee at that place near your flat,” I say quietly, aware of Lexi watching like she’s front row at the theatre. “I figured I’d try and bring it to you. Just how you like it.”

Rue doesn’t answer. Doesn’t even reach for it.

She just looks at it. Then at me.

That pause, the stretch of it, hurts more than it should. But I don’t move. I wait. She has to come to me. Her terms. Her pace.

Her fingers finally wrap around the cup. The way she holds it, careful like it’s a delicate thing, it makes something in my chest ease.

“Thanks,” she whispers.

I nod. That’s all I get. But that’s enough, for now.

I turn to leave, and Anita’s standing by the doorway still. Her arms crossed, her smile long gone.

I don’t stop because I can’t have Rue see me talking to the woman I cheated on her with, but she follows me into the kitchen. “I only wanted to tell you that you were right. Damien does know Kasey.”

Axel looks up, and I’m glad Kasey is still in the room to witness every second, so no one can get it twisted. “I told you,” I say, “but you need to update Axel now on this shit. He’s handling it.”

I see the way my words crush her, but she gives a slight nod and turns to Axel instead. “Me and Tom met him. He didn’t admit to it, but he knew Kasey. His eye flickered the way it does when I’m too close to the truth.”

“Good,” says Axel. “It’s what we wanted.”

“Now, what?” she asks.

“Now, we pay him a visit.” He glances at me. “Let’s call church.”

She startles at this. “Wait, you can’t.”

Axel laughs. “I can do what I like, Nita. I’m the President around here.”

“But what if Leo’s there?” Her voice is laced with panic. I gently touch her shoulder, and she begs me with her eyes.

“He won’t be,” I reassure her. “I promise, Leo won’t witness anything he shouldn’t.”

“Can I come?” asks Kasey, popping a biscuit into her mouth like none of this is remotely scary to her.

“No,” I say firmly.

“But it’s me he’s after.”

I ruffle her hair, the way she hates. “Which is why you’re staying here, so we know you’re safe.” She scowls, and I head out to round the men for church.

The place smells like overpriced wine and insecurity.

I clock Damien the second we step inside—back corner, laughing too loud at whatever his date just said. He looks relaxed, confident. Like he’s not dragging a trail of mess behind him.

Not for long.

The hostess blinks at us, clutching her tablet like it’s a cross. “Can I help you gentlemen?”

Axel gives her that slow grin that usually means someone’s about to cry. “Don’t worry, we ain’t staying long and we’re not gonna make a mess.” He shoves a roll of bank notes in her hand. “Hold off calling the police.”

She gives a nervous nod, pocketing the cash.

The clink of cutlery and the low hum of conversation follow us as we cross the restaurant, three wolves in a room full of deer.

Grizz sees the opportunity first. A waiter with a tray of drinks steps into his path. He sidesteps, but not enough to avoid him, just enough to make it look like an accident.

The tray tips. Red wine explodes across Damien’s table. His date squeals, loud and dramatic, as it soaks her pale designer dress.

Grizz throws up his hands. “Well, shit. Look what I’ve done.”

The woman stares at her ruined dress in horror.

“I know a cleaner who’s real good with stains,” Grizz offers with a wicked grin. “Or you could just take it off now. I won’t look. Much.”

She gasps, turning on Damien. “Are you going to do anything?” she screams.

“That wouldn’t be wise,” I say with a smile. “Now, leave.”

She’s gone in a blur of expensive perfume and angry heels.

Axel slides into her seat like he owns it. I rest a hand on Damien’s shoulder when he tries to rise, not hard but heavy enough. He sits. “Smart choice.”

“I should have you thrown out,” he snaps.

“You should sit still and listen,” I say.

Axel pours himself a splash of wine from Damien’s bottle, swirling it lazily. He doesn’t drink it.

“We’re here for a friendly chat,” Axel says, his tone light. “Kasey Green. Sound familiar?”

Damien’s expression barely flickers, but I see it. Recognition. Guilt.

“She didn’t steal your money, so you’re gonna call off the search party,” he continues.

“She took my money,” he growls.

“A few grand,” I hiss. “That’s pocket change to you.”

“And a ring,” he snaps, trying to shrug me off. I grip firmer, glancing at Axel, who doesn’t let the new information change the narrative.

“I’m telling you it wasn’t her,” he says firmer this time.

Damien’s mouth twists. “You think I give a shit what your little club thinks?”

“You should,” I say. “Rue and Kasey are under our protection now. You go near them, even hint at messing with them again, and it’s not the law you’ll need to worry about.”

Axel leans forward. “You’re not the biggest fish in our pond, Damien.” He smirks. “In fact, you’re just a tadpole swimming amongst the sharks.”

“It’s twice her name’s come up in twenty-four hours. First, my ex-wife mentions it, and now you,” says Damien, relaxing again. “Is that coincidence or are you fucking her?” he asks Axel.

“When I plan to take someone down, I always have a back-up plan,” says Axel. “You should remember that.”

“She won’t get Leo back,” he rages.

Axel grins, pushing to his feet. “It was nice to meet you, but let’s not cross paths again.”

As the others head out, I lean closer. “And it was me,” I whisper. “I was the one who fucked Anita, and man, she loved every second of it.” I slap him hard on the back and head out.

Rue

I’m half asleep when someone taps on my bedroom door and a second later, Atlas peers around it. “Hey, can I borrow you for a second?”

I push to sit, glancing at the clock. It’s almost nine but it’s so noisy downstairs, I doubt I’ll be sleeping properly any time soon, so I stand. “Sure, what’s up?” I ask, hating there’s still tension between us.

“Follow me,” he says, turning and heading back down the hall.

We head up to the next floor, right to the end where there’s a locked door. He produces the key and unlocks it, glancing back at me as he opens it. “Trust me?” he asks.

I nearly turn back. Because I don’t trust him. Not yet. As if he realises all too late the impact of his words, he winces. “It’s a nice surprise,” he mutters.

He leads me up a narrow metal staircase, his hand hovering like he’s ready to catch me if I trip, though he doesn’t touch me. At the top, he unlocks the rooftop door with a key I didn’t even know he had.

And then he pushes it open. Warm light spills out.

I blink.