We turned toward Julio, who was noticeably quaking in his chair. I had little hatred of him. He never really hurt me, so I sat the attack out. Layla and Becca, though, had their reasons. He was in the training room with them almost every day. The girls beat the shit out of him too, but left less damage than they did with the other two.
Once we were drained, panting and out of breath, none of us moved. The silence was deafening, thick and heavy. Broken only by Hector's ragged breathing.
He looked at me through swollen slits.
"Why don't you take the knife or gun from your assassin boyfriend and end me; green eyes? I know you want to."
I wasn't playing into his game. Atlas kept him alive all this time to torture him, like he did us.
I lifted my chin, my eyes slanted, voice sarcastic.
"I think I'll ask my assassin boyfriend to keep you all alive for another month. None of you deserve the easy way out."
I shot a glance at Atlas, who was still casually leaning against the table, his arms still crossed over his chest.
"I think I've had enough of this shithole." I glanced at Beck and Layla, smiling. "It smells of death in this house. Are you ready to move on with our lives, ladies?"
They both nodded in agreement. My stomach twisted into knots from the whole scene, and I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Let Atlas and Jacob deal with the lowlifes now that we've gotten our closure.
The guards locked the prisoners in after we left. I felt tired, but vindicated. I wanted only to take a shower and spend the night in bed with Atlas. It was time for me to take my place beside him once again.
Chapter 29
Healing
Atlas
The house was quiet when we came back from our visit with the ex-cartel brothers. Maria was asleep in her room, the butler in his, and that just left the five of us to tiptoe quietly to our rooms. Jacob led Becca and Layla to their bedroom upstairs. Becca's head was resting against his chest, his arms wrapped snugly around her shoulders.
A couple of months ago I wasn't Becca's biggest fan, but that's all changed now. She and Kitten have been through a horrible experience together, coming out the winners. They needed one another to lean on while they continued working through their trauma.
I would never get in the way of their journey toward recovery. Besides, Jacob looked like he was in love. I couldn't hate his girlfriend in good conscience.
I smiled to myself. He was like a brother to me.
Who am I to judge his choice of girlfriend? Besides, she was adorable with her fiery red hair, blue eyes and petite frame. She would be good for my partner.
Kitlyn and I followed behind, watching Layla and Becca close their door to the bedroom. Jacob slipped into his room quietly, shutting himself in for the night. I walked Kitten to Becca and Layla's door. She just lingered, standing there, her hair spilling down her back with my jacket still around her shoulders. Her eyes—those green pools that hypnotized me the moment I saw her—met mine.
"Kitten," I whispered, almost afraid to breathe her name. She didn't answer right away. She smiled, coming in for a hug. I squeezed her firmly, but gently. It felt so good to have her close to me again. I missed her so much. Her touch, her smell, her smart little mouth….everything about her.
"I don't want to sleep without you tonight, Atlas. I need to be next to you. It's time to get back to our life together. I want us to go back to the way we were. We need the intimacy."
She smiled at me, dazzling me with those fucking sparklers. "I'm ready to have sex again, Atlas."
I scooped her into my arms and carried her into my room, setting her down on the edge of the bed. I knelt in front of her. My fucking queen. The woman who ownedmy heart and soul. My hands rubbed her thighs as I looked up at her.
"Kitten, you don't have to do this for me. I won't be upset if you would rather just lie in my arms all night without me touching you. I'd lie here a thousand nights just hugging you if that's what it takes for you to feel safe again."
Her hands trembled as she cupped my face, her eyes brimming with tears. "Atlas….I need you. I want to feel only you inside me. I don't want to let whathedid to me….ruinus."
Her words gutted me. Anytime she referenced Hector, I felt my stomach knot up. I pressed my forehead to her hands, breathing in slowly, forcing the storm inside me to settle so I wouldn't erupt.
My gaze met hers.
"If that's what you want, Kitten, you know I'll do anything for you, and I would never push you to do something you aren't ready for, right?"
She smiled, bending slightly to kiss the top of my head.
