Vengeance (Updating Weekly)

Part 27

"Oh my god!" Catarina's mouth drops. "You dirty, dirty slut!"

"Shut up!" I laugh. "It wasn't like that. It was romantic!"

"Of course it was, this is Atticus we're talking about. He's by far the romantic one of the brothers."

"Do you think so?"

"Oh, I know so," she snickers. "Angelis has had more one-night stands than I can count, and Santos only does it because he knows I like it. Atticus actually enjoys the romantic stuff. He wants to sweep you off your feet."

"He has," I respond. "I'm so smitten, it's actually embarrassing."

"No, it's not! Atticus absolutely adores you. Everyone can see it."

"I'm so happy," I can't stop smiling. It feels like a dream. He's actually mine. I'm finally getting everything I want — the job, the man, the friends, even the place... It's perfect.

"I can't wait to plan your wedding!" Catarina grins.

"Hey, settle down," I laugh. "We've only just started dating."

"Please," she waves me off. "It's only a matter of time. You two are made for each other."

"We'll see how it goes," I tell her. "We have to deal with Vassilis first, anyway."

"Ugh, that asshole," she rolls her eyes. "Santos was up all night dealing with that situation."

"Sorry," I chuckle. He wouldn't have had to step in if Atticus wasn't, uhm... busy. "We've got a plan, though. I'm about to head over there now."

"Keep me updated," she says. "We need him gone ASAP."

"Agreed," I nod. We head out of the room. Catarina was already in my room when I arrived. Angelis had told her the news, and she wanted details. I was more than happy to tell her, especially since I needed her help picking an outfit for my date tonight. We part ways on the ground floor. She's heading over to another island where she's re-decorating a house. I make my way over to the conference room. I'm surprised to see it just as busy today as it was last night. The room is full of people, all with their backs to me. Atticus stands by the back wall along with Angelis. Atticus is the only one speaking, pointing to different spots on a floor plan hung on the wall. The sound of me knocking on the door pauses his speech. Atticus' eyes land on me. I expect him to be excited, but instead, he looks concerned. The other men in the room turn to look at me.

"What are you doing here?" Atticus asks. "I thought you'd be helping out at legal again."

"I was meant to," I say. "But I wanted to get started on our plan."

"What plan?" Angelis chimes in. I scowl at my boyfriend.

"You didn't tell him?"

"Tell me what?" Angelis asks.

"Can we not talk about this here?" Atticus responds. "We're working on something else."

"What do you mean?" I push. There's no way they'd be doing other than working on a plan to find Vassilis, and my suggestion should be top of the list. "You said we could do this. You agreed to my plan."

"No, I said I'd consider it."

Oh my fucking god.

"Are you serious?" I raise my voice more than I should've. He's trying to play me and I won't stand for it. "If you were actually going to consider it, you would've discussed it already."

"Erin, please," Atticus gives me a pointed look, struggling to stay professional in front of his men. "We will talk about this later."

"No," fuck that. I march towards him in frustration, facing the rest of the men in the room. Atticus grabs my arm.

"I'm serious," he warns. "Now is not the time."

I pull myself free. He's never going to bring it up. He was never going to discuss it with the team. He was just going to pretend he did until they thought of a better plan — one that wouldn't put me in danger. Who knows how long that will take?

"We don't know where he is, so we're going to draw him out," I tell the men.

"Erin—."

"Pick a city, drop me there, and he will come to us."

"Erin!" Atticus tries again.

"You can monitor me in the city, be on the lookout for his men... He won't be able to resist, even if he knows it's a trap. If he doesn't show up himself, follow his men home. If you still can't find him, let them take me. They'll bring me to him."

"Enough!" Atticus booms. This time, his tone leaves no room for argument. "Everybody out. Everybody out. Now!"

The men hurry out of the room. Even Angelis follows suit.

"Atticus—," I turn to him. He scowls down at me. He's angry.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he spits. "I warned you! You can't go over my head like that!"

"You were never going to tell them!" I argue. "You were never going to take me seriously!"

"Not without exploring every possible option first, no, I was not going to put you in danger!"

"You know this is the best thing to do! All your men have already thought it."

"I don't give a fuck what they think. This is about you and keeping you safe."

"I will be safe! You'll be watching me the whole time."

"It's not worth the risk."

"Yes, it is! We'll plan it well. Our plan will be foolproof. You won't have to worry."

"No, I won't take the risk. I can't have you putting yourself in danger! It's not going to happen."

"What else are you going to do? Stay cooped up in this room for months?" I question. "We can't wait that long. We need this over and done with so we can move on."

"We'll take as much time as we need to succeed."

"No, Atticus. I can't keep living like this, Angelis can't keep living like this, you can't keep living like this. Don't you want to focus on something else for once? Don't you want this over and done with?"

"Erin—."

"No, I'm hurt," I admit. "You played me. If I didn't know any better, I'd everything you said to me last night and this morning was a lie, just to get me to shut up."

"What?" his expression softens, his frustration replaced with compassion. "No, I would never—."

"I know that, but still... it's not fair," I say. "I know you're scared. I'm scared, too. I don't want to push you into anything, but I don't want your fear to stop you. Trust me, the last thing I want is to come face to face with your father, but it's for the greater good. It's worth it if it means he dies — if this is all over and done with. So please, just think about it. Seriously consider it."

He searches my eyes, contemplating my words. He doesn't say anything at first, but I don't flinch. I keep my eyes locked on him, making my desperation clear. Eventually, he lets out a deep sigh. He reaches out to me, stroking my cheek as lovingly as he did this morning.

"Just give me a few more days. I need more time."

"Two days," I offer. He smiles, amused by my bargaining. "The longer we wait, the further away he gets."

"Three days," he suggests.

"Fine," I give in. "But you're paying for dinner tonight."

"Of course," he chuckles. We both know I have no money here. "I'll do better than pay for dinner."

"Oh yeah?" I lean into him. "Like what?"

"Like this," he closes the gap between us, pressing his lips against mine. I wrap my arms around him, his fingers in my hair, holding me securely by him. And just like that, all is forgotten. I'd happily argue with him if this is always the outcome.