Chapter 6
868 Words
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains Atlas had drawn closed the night before. Hannah stirred beneath the silk sheets, her consciousness returning in waves. She blinked slowly, hand rising to her temple as she attempted to piece together fragmented memories.
A throat cleared beside her. Hannah's eyes snapped open to find James Reed standing by her bedside, a steaming cup of coffee extended toward her. His suit was crisp, hair perfectly styled, and a warm smile played across his lips.
"Good morning, Ms. Hargreaves. Thought you might need this."
Hannah pulled the sheets higher, suddenly aware of her state of undress. Her mouth opened but no words emerged.
"Yesterday was a wild night, ma'am." Atlas's eyes crinkled at the corners, his tone intimate.
Hannah's cheeks flushed crimson. "Shut up," she hissed, snatching the coffee from his hand.
Atlas laughed, the sound rich and measured. "Surely."
She took a long sip, eyes darting around the room. The clothes she'd shed were now neatly folded on a nearby chair. "I don't... remember anything."
Atlas leaned against the bedpost, crossing his arms. "Not surprising. You were too wild to remember everything. Seven rounds, nonstop." He whistled low. "Impressive stamina."
Hannah nearly choked on her coffee. "Is that so?" Her hand moved unconsciously to her lower back. "I do feel a bit sore."
Atlas suppressed a triumphant smile. The placebo effect was working perfectly. Her mind was filling in blanks that didn't exist, creating memories of intimacy that never happened.
He sat on the edge of the bed, just close enough to maintain the illusion. "Do you mind if I ask you something, madam?" His voice was carefully laced with respect and hesitation.
Hannah waved her hand dismissively. "Go on. And stop calling me madam when it's just us. Call me Hannah."
"Hannah," he repeated, as if testing how the name felt on his tongue. "I was wondering... is Sir Aaron really not paying any attention to you?"
The question struck her like a physical blow. She stiffened, her coffee cup was frozen halfway to her lips.
Atlas pressed forward, his expression softening. "The way you were desperate for me yesterday made me wonder if he wasn't treating you as well as he's supposed to. You're the most beautiful woman in the world, deserving of all the attention."
Hannah's guard crumbled before his calculated flattery. Her shoulders slumped and she set the coffee aside.
"You're right. Aaron has been really busy with everything else that he doesn't even care to drop by." Bitterness seeped into her voice. "This marriage itself is just for the sake of business, just to be called a successful businessman with a successful marriage. Very rare, you know."
Atlas nodded sympathetically, his expression showcasing perfect pity while inside he celebrated her suffering. He reached out, taking her hand precisely when her vulnerability peaked.
Her eyes widened at the contact. "James..."
"I'll take care of you," he promised, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "Especially if I'm appointed as head of security and your private bodyguard even after the marriage. This would give me reason to stay in the mansion, visit you whenever you need... satisfaction."
Hannah's breathing quickened. "That's perfect. I'll do that." She squeezed his hand, leaning closer. "In fact, you're hired as my new bodyguard as of this very moment. And about my needs..." Her eyes darkened. "I'll need you every day, James."
She inched toward him, her lips parting in anticipation. Atlas resisted the urge to recoil, reminding himself of the greater vengeance to come. Just as their mouths were about to meet, a sharp knock rattled the door.
Hannah jerked back, cursing under her breath. She scrambled out of bed, grabbing a robe and wrapping it tightly around herself. "Just a moment!" She smoothed her hair, composing herself into something resembling professionalism. "James, get the door."
Atlas straightened his tie and crossed the room unhurriedly. He opened the door to reveal a suited man standing in the hallway. Surprisingly, it was the same guard he had knocked unconscious some days ago at Sarah's grandfather's property.
Recognition flashed in the guard's eyes. His hand immediately moved to his holster and he drew his weapon in haste. "Who the hell are you?"
Atlas merely smiled, saying nothing.
"Put that away immediately!" Hannah barked from behind him. "Calm down, for God's sake. This is James Reed, the new head of security and my personal bodyguard. Any threat against him is a threat against me, understood?"
The guard's face paled. He holstered his weapon with trembling hands. "My apologies, Ms. Hargreaves."
"Now what is it that you need?" Hannah's entitled demeanor had fully returned, no trace of the vulnerable woman from moments ago.
"It's an important issue that Sir Aaron himself asked me to convey to you." The guard wiped sweat from his forehead, clearly uncomfortable.
"Well? What is it?" Hannah demanded.
The guard swallowed hard. "He's back, ma'am."
"Who?" Hannah's brow furrowed in confusion.
Atlas turned slightly, just enough to hide the smile spreading across his face. The moment he'd been waiting for had arrived.
The guard's voice dropped to a near whisper as he delivered the final blow.
"Atlas Prime is back, ma'am."
- Writer
