Chapter 17
The sound of my office door creaking pulled me from my thoughts, and I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Only one person ever dared to enter my space without knocking.
Her perfume hit me first–a sharp, intoxicating scent that curled in my chest, setting my nerves on edge. A wave of nausea washed over me.
“Hi, Kyle… it’s been a while.” Atlas’s voice was low, seductive. She stepped closer, trailing her hand along my cheek. I shrugged it off, barely sparing her a glance.
1 flicked my gaze to her. She was dressed in a tight, revealing green dress that barely covered her, the fabric clinging to her curves like it was made for no one but her. The dress was flashy and unnecessary, the kind of thing you wore when you wanted attention. Her lips, painted the deepest shade of red, curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“I was right,” she continued, tossing her hair over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “I thought it was just a coincidence you’ve been ignoring me for months now. But now I see. You really are avoiding me.” She scoffed.
“What do you want, Atlas?” My voice was steady, but I couldn’t help the irritation bubbling inside me. I wasn’t in the mood for her games today.
Her smile shifted, and she took a step closer, her fingers trailing down my chest. The sensation sent a rush of bile up my throat, and I couldn’t control the disgust that washed over me.
“You,” she purred, biting her lower lip as she moved even closer. I pushed her away, the action more forceful this time.
Her face twisted with shock, surprise, and anger all at once. But, as always, she quickly masked it with a sly smile.
“I see.” She nodded, circling me as if she was sizing me up, deciding what to do next. “You’ve changed, Kyle. I don’t know if I like it.” She stopped in front of me, looking me dead in the eye. “But you’re forgetting how this works.”
She snapped her fingers. “The Watson project you’ve been pouring your time into? I could make it so much easier for you. I could get you everything you need, no problem. All with the snap of my fingers.”
I felt the familiar heat of anger coursing through me. She closed the distance between us again, her hand reaching out to trail over my chest. ” In exchange for you, Kyle. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. And now, I’m giving you a chance to make this right.”
“No,” I said, the word coming out more forcefully than I intended. I pushed her back again, this time more violently. “Stop, alright? I’m done with all of your bullshit.”
Her expression faltered for a second, and I saw a flicker of something dark in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She straightened, running a hand through her hair and giving me a sly, knowing smile.
“You don’t get it, do you?” she said, her voice suddenly colder. “You think you’re done with me, but I’m not done with you. You still need me, Kyle. Don’t forget that.”
I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening. “I don’t need anything from you,” I said, my tone final. “And I sure as hell don’t need you in my life.”
“You think you can just walk away from this, Kyle?” she said, her voice laced with venom. “I can make things very difficult for you. You’re not as untouchable as you think.”
I clenched my fists, trying to keep the rising tide of anger in check. “I don’t need your help. I don’t need anything from you anymore. So get the hell out of my office.”
She hesitated, her expression darkening before she finally gave a small nod, her smile fading into something more sinister.
“Fine,” she muttered, turning on her heel. “But remember this, Kyle. You’re not the only one who can make things happen. Don’t forget who helped you get here. Just don’t come crawling back when things fall apart. I’ll be here. Waiting.”
As she walked out, the door closing with a soft click behind her, I stood there for a moment, taking in a deep breath. My body was tense, every muscle coiled with frustration. Atlas was a force I never wanted in my life again, but the problem was, she knew that. And she was going to use it against me every chance she got.
But I was done. I’d had enough of her. Now, all I had to do was focus on one thing.
Ashley.
1
