"Max," he says, voice calm and measured. Even in casual clothes, he sounds like a CEO. "Come in."
I step inside, my sneakers squeaking slightly on the marble, and the foyer is... overwhelming. Marble floors that shine like glass. I can see my reflection in them—distorted, small, out of place. A chandelier that probably costs more than I'm worth. Crystal. Massive. Hanging from a ceiling so high it makes me dizzy to look up at it. Dual staircases curving up to the second floor. They meet in the middle, forming a balcony that overlooks the entrance. It's something out of a movie. Out of a dream. Out of a life that isn't mine. Too much space. Too much air. Too much everything.
Atlas takes one of my duffel bags without asking, his hand closing around the strap, lifting it like it weighs nothing even though I know it's heavy, and I let him because I don't know how to say no.
"Richard and Margot get back tomorrow," he says, leading me toward the stairs. His stride is long, confident. I have to walk faster to keep up. "Until then, it's just us."
Us.
Me and the three brothers who made it clear I'm not wanted here.
Great.
"Your room's on the second floor," Atlas continues. He doesn't look back at me when he talks, just keeps moving forward like he expects me to follow. Like there's no question I will. "North corner. Margot had it set up for you while they were gone."
I swallow hard. My throat clicks. Dry. Of course she did. Even on her honeymoon, she was thinking about me.
"Okay," I say. My voice sounds too small in this massive space. It doesn't even echo. Just gets swallowed up.
We climb the stairs in silence. My hand trails along the railing—smooth, polished wood that's probably older than I am.I'm hyper-aware of every step, every breath, every small sound. The house is too quiet. Too big.
Atlas stops outside a door and pushes it open. The handle turns with a quiet click. The hinges don't even creak.
"This is you."
I step inside. Cross the threshold into what's supposed to be mine but doesn't feel like it at all.
It's... nice. Really nice. King-sized bed with gray linens. A desk by the window. Dark wood, solid, with a lamp that looks like an antique. A bookshelf that's already half-filled with titles I recognize—Margot's doing, probably. She knows what I like.
There's even a small reading nook in the corner, with a chair that looks like it was made for curling up in. Deep cushions. Soft throw blanket draped over the arm. A side table with a coaster already waiting.
It's perfect.
I hate it.
"Bathroom's through there," Atlas says, nodding toward a door on the left. He sets my duffel bag down on the bed with a soft thump. "You share it with the room next door, but no one's using that one right now, so you'll have it to yourself."
"Okay."
He pulls something from his pocket. A key.
"Front door," he says, handing it to me. His fingers brush mine when I take it. Warm. Brief. "You're free to come and go as you please. No curfew, no rules. Just let someone know if you're going to be gone overnight."
I take the key. It's heavier than it should be.
"The second floor is mostly us," Atlas continues. He leans against the doorframe now, arms crossed over his chest. The casual posture does nothing to make him less intimidating. "My room's at the west end. Zero's across the hall from me. Bane's on the south side. There's a shared lounge in the middle—TV, bar,pool table. You're welcome to use it, but... fair warning, we're usually in there at night."
Translation: stay out of our space.
"Got it," I say. I close my fist around the key. The metal digs into my palm.
"Kitchen's on the main floor. Help yourself to whatever.” He pushes off the doorframe, straightening to his full height. “There's a gym in the basement if you use it. Pool's out back." He pauses. "Anything else you need?"
"No. This is—this is great. Thank you."
Atlas nods. Studies me for a moment longer than comfortable. His gaze lingers on my face, drops to the key still clutched in my hand, returns to my eyes. Reading me like a book I didn't want opened.
Then he's gone, closing the door behind him.
