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"That's a very generous offer, but I don'twantthe club. Opening Nuovi Inizi was the best way I could think of to make enough money to care for Lenny long term, but I never wanted to own a nightclub."
"You spent five years building the business. You want me to believe none of that matters?"
"No, of course not." I lean against him, inhaling his scent. Leather, bergamot and spice, but underneath it all, Atlas. My man. "I'm proud of what I did here, but that doesn't mean I want to keep doing it."
"Why not?"
"Why do you think?" I challenge back. He says he loves me. Does he know me?
Atlas pulls me closer to his body and rubs my back. "You don't like crowds. You won't miss working the floor."
"True." But that's not all.
"Managing the talent takes a lot of patience."
"It does."
"You put up with shit I wouldn't."
"Which is why Helios is running the club and not you."
A laugh rumbles deep in Atlas's chest, vibrating under my hands. He's not offended.
"I'm better at killing than cajoling." The words are filled with humor, but they are laced with a question.
One I am happy to answer. Again.
Tilting my head back, I smile up at him so he can see the acceptance in my gaze. "Yes, you are. Lucky for all of us, or that situation with the bratva kill teams would have gone very differently."
His kiss comes as no surprise and I let myself fall into it for long minutes, but then my stomach growls.
He moves his mouth from mine. "You need to eat."
"For a top assassin, you have a real mother hen complex."
"Eat some lunch and I'll show you my cock tendencies."
"That was bad, Atlas." But I laugh. I love his humor, especially since he doesn't reveal it very often.
Lunch is leftover pasta from last night. Atlas makes a salad while it's heating and I set the table.
"So, you don't want me to buy back Nuovi Inizi?"
I make a sound like a kettle letting off steam. "Seriously? How many times do I have to say it? I'm glad not to have the responsibility anymore. If I could have supported Lenny with a job as a bookkeeper, I would have."
We finish getting the food on the table in a companionable silence. Atlas isn't mad and if he finally hears me about the club, I'm not either.
"Are you interested in doing the books for us?" Atlas sounds intrigued by the possibility.
"That's something I've been meaning to talk to you about." Only, I don't want to get caught up in business with California's Hades Brotherhood. "By us, do you mean the Greek mafia here in Portland?"
"My wife doesn't work for theÁdis Adelfótita. You are family with as much of a stake in our success here in Portland as me, my brothers and my cousins."
"I am not your wife," I remind him with some bite. "We haven't discussed marriage."
"We did."
I roll my eyes. "That was a threat, not a proposal."
