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“Okay.”
There’s a hint of a smile on his face as he reaches a hand up toward my cheek, stopping only inches away and pulling back.
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Kinsey. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
My heart feels heavy as I watch him walk out of the room. He gives me one last glance before shutting the door behind him and I finally deflate, my breath coming out raggedly.
The past hours flash through my mind and horror begins to fill me now that I have a moment to think. I can hardly process all of it.
I can't believe I let him do that to me.
A voice in the back of my head reminds me I hardly let him, seeing as how I was chained to a damn stage, but I can't pretend I fought against what Atlas did to me. I may not have been willing at first, but by the time he was through, I didn't even know my own body. My thighs clench together at the thought of how it felt to have him inside me while that vibrating thing…
I stand abruptly, pacing the room unable to keep still. The cut on my shoulder stings and I bring a hand up, but it's already scabbed over, barely more than a scratch. I wonder what that was about.
What was any of it about?
I think back to the bits I overheard, about an initiation. Based on what Atlas just told me, I can only assume he's being brought into the Iron Elite. But why?
I’m probably stupid to assume he's any better than the men who put me in here, hell, he was there the day they took me, but somehow I feel like he is different.
Maybe I am just naive.
I may have been exposed and essentially violated on a stage by Atlas, but I do believe he made it as good as he could for me. And I can’t lie and pretend anyone’s ever made my body respond like that. Even the thought of people watching only added to the adrenaline, and I feel my face burn with shame as I realize justthinkingabout it is getting me turned on.
I don’t know who this guy, Atlas, is, but I do believe I am better off with him than any other option this place has to offer. I can’t imagine what normal life would feel like after this, but I know I will never stop trying.
Some people’s strength is obvious, but mine? Mine is a strength meant to endure.
I just have to play the part, keep my head down, and maybe, just maybe, Atlas will be true to his word and get me out of this place. What other choice do I have?
It's then I realize his jacket is still lying on the small cot from when he put it on my shoulders earlier. I look down at the torn dress and debate taking it off, but at least it's some coverage. Making my way across the room, I grab the coat and wrap it around myself, hiding a small smile in the folds.
A wave of exhaustion finally hits me, and with the warm fabric around me as my safety blanket, I drift off to sleep quickly.
20
Atlas
Alone Together
My body feelsheavy as I step out of the room. She doesn’t fucking hate me at least, but I’m not sure if that’s better or worse. Ivor was right when he said I was stupid to assume I’d be walking out of here with her. Nothing’s that fucking simple.
I assume it will be the same guard leaning against the wall waiting for me, instead I find Eli, the fucking cocksucker, waiting for me outside her door. A flash of possessiveness strikes me as I remember his earlier objections, the way Kinsey shrank at the mention of him.
"What the fuck do you want," I spit out, not moving from the front of the door. I have to go see Ivor, but fuck if I'm going to let this asshole, or any other, near Kinsey. Her question flutters back into my mind about why I care.
I tell myself that it's who I am. Once I decide someone belongs in my life and are under my protection, I never stop. Loyalty and honour are the things lost today, and I never break my word or trust. Really, I know it's more than that. With her, at least.
Whatever the reason, I won’t let Eli fucking ruin her.
The casual expression on his face is belied by the tension in his arms and the warning in his eyes. I’m a bit surprised to find him waiting for me. I'd expect a stab in the back in an alley from a cunt like him.
"You know I hate rude people, Atlas," he tells me, pushing off the wall. "She was to be mine. Taking what belongs to me was incredibly—"
Before he can finish, my hand wraps around his neck and I've got him pinned to the wall. He's not a small man, but I'm bigger and stronger. His fist flies up toward my face and connects with my jaw, but lightly enough that I brush it off with a growl, slamming him back to the wall.
"Stay the fuck away from her," I hiss into his face, slamming my fist into the wall beside him and releasing him. He catches himself rather than hitting the ground, but his hand caresses his throat as his eyes burn on mine with mirth and vengeance.
