Page 89 of Rulebreaker

“Get out.” I slowly get to my feet and point toward the front door. “Now. Don't make me call security.”

“This house is essentially mine!” he snaps.

“The house will go into probate,” I respond with a calmness I don’t feel. “Now I want you to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere until we come to an agreement.”

Somewhere else in the house I hear Dora’s yelp of frustration. “Sir! You can’t just come in here like this! Sir!”

I swivel my head in confusion, wondering who else has shown up without an invitation.

“Listen to me, Lily.” Harrison seems oblivious and he takes a step closer to me. So close I can smell the whiskey on hisbreath. “We can make all of this go away. All you have to do is–”

“I asked you to leave,” I yell in frustration, tears stinging my eyes as I take a step back.

“Like I said, I’m not going anywhere until we come to an agreement. Preferably, one that ends with you writing me a check.”

“Get. Out.” My voice wavers slightly, and I realize I’m shaking.

Probably because I haven’t had anything but coffee to eat or drink in two days.

I also haven’t slept.

“And I said I’m not–”

“Lily.” The voice is vaguely familiar but I’m in such an emotional state it takes a few seconds to sink in. “Lily.” It’s louder this time and I lift my head in confusion, blinking a couple of times.

“A-Atlas?”

He turns a dark stare at Harrison. “Who the fuck are you and why are you still here when we both very clearly heard the lady ask you to leave.”

Harrison either doesn’t recognize him or is so caught up in his little get-rich-quick fantasy that he’s being stupid. “Lily and I have some business to finalize regarding her prenuptial and separation agreements. You’re going to have to wait your turn.”

“And what business is that?” Cold, calculating Atlas has a voice that makes most men quake in their proverbial boots. Harrison is apparently so intent on getting to me, he doesn’t realize who he’s in the room with.

But this isn’t Atlas’s problem.

Not anymore.

“Atlas, what are you–” I begin.

“There’s the matter of Ms. Maxwell’s infidelity to sort out,” Harrison says, cutting me off in an almost gleeful voice.

“Infidelity?” Atlas doesn’t seem at all impressed. Or upset.

I'm so confused.

“Both of you need to leave.” My voice sounds weird, and I’m starting to feel a little lightheaded.

“Lily.” Atlas slowly walks toward me, reaching out a hand to cup the back of my neck. “Let me handle this for you.”

I blink.

“Texas.” His voice is low, intimate, but also sincere and gruff. “Let me rephrase: Do youwantme to handle this? Yes or no.”

I lift my eyes to his and even though I’m not sure why he’s here or what he’s doing, I know without a doubt he can make Harrison go away.

And he owes me that much after the way he treated me.