Vengeance (COMPLETED)

Part 34

"Why don't we get out of here, then?" I force myself to say the words.

He speaks to his friends briefly before turning back to me, motioning for me to follow him. I do just that, trailing behind him out of the bar, only making quick eye contact with Atticus' guards to confirm they're on board. As soon as we're outside, Lukas throws his arm around me. I don't like being this close to him, but I know I have to. Atticus men are nearby.

"Where's your apartment?" I ask.

"By the rail station. Not far. Where are you staying?"

We make small talk as we walk through the city. Instead of channelling my anger, I channel the person I was at 18 — single and flirtatious. This guy is too arrogant to question my motives. I don't see Atticus until we've almost arrived. He's standing outside by another bar, drinking with Angelis and some of the guards — or at least, pretending to be. His eyes land on me.

"Hey!" he calls out, his face filled with anger. He abandons his drink at the table and marches over to us. I pause in my step.

"You know him?" Lukas asks. Atticus shoves him away from me, yelling at him in Greek. Lukas tries to defend himself, but it's no use. Atticus punches him square in the face, causing Lukas to stumble backwards. He recovers quickly, barrelling towards Atticus, but the guards have already stepped in, holding Atticus and Lukas apart as they yell back and forth. It's not hard to figure out what they're saying. Lukas glances my way a few times, expecting me to step in and defend him, but there'd be no point. Lukas quickly realises he's tried to take home the wrong girl, and follows the guard's orders to leave. They don't let Atticus go until Lukas is out of sight. As much as I want to reassure him, I know I can't. We're not done yet.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I exclaim. "You're such a fucking asshole!"

"You're the one hooking up with some random guy right in front of me!"

"We're done, remember?! I don't like you, I don't want to be with you, and I want you to leave me the fuck alone!" I storm off.

"Fine! You want to be alone? We'll put you on that flight tomorrow and you can fight Vassilis on your own! My dad was right. I hope he fucking kills you!"

"How fucking dare you?" I turn right back towards him, giving him a hard shove.

"You fucking deserve it," he pushes me back. "Your mum did."

"You fucking dick!" I swing my fist forward, colliding with the side of his face. Pain shoots through my hand, but he's barely affected. Angelis steps in, pulling me away from Atticus as he yells at me, calling me crazy and pathetic and whatever else he can come up with. I try to free myself from Angelis, but there's no use. He drags me away, around the corner and out of sight. I can't give in yet. I have to keep pretending until we're in private. I continue to struggle against him until I'm out of energy. "Let me go!"

"Not until you calm down!" Angelis responds, still carrying me down the street. A few of the guards follow suit.

"I'm fucking calm! Put me down!"

He does as I say, but he still doesn't let go. He holds me restrained up against the wall. I have no doubt Vassilis' men are still watching.

"Are you done?" Angelis asks. "I'm not letting you go back there."

"He's a fucking dick!" I call. "I never want to see him again!"

"So if I let you go, you'll do as I say and come back to the hotel?"

"Yes! I'm fucking sick of this. I just want to go home."

"Alright," he finally releases me. "Don't bother trying anything."

"Just make sure I get on that fucking plane tomorrow."

"Oh, I'll make sure," he snickers. "This whole thing with Atticus is fucking toxic. The two of you need to be as far away from each other as possible."

"Tell him that. He's the one that won't let me leave!"

"Don't even worry about it. Atticus is fucking lovesick. I don't care if I have to lock him in a room tomorrow. You'll be getting on that plane tomorrow."

"Good. Get me the fuck out of there."

We head back to the hotel in silence, not saying another word. I spend the next hour pacing back and forth in my room. Atticus has to stay out longer, chatting up girls at the bar. I hate the idea, but it's what we agreed on. Anything to show Vassilis how bad things are between us. I eventually move into his room, knowing this is where he'd be entering soon. I sit on the bed, bouncing my foot up and down until I finally hear the door open. I jump up straight away.

"Atticus," I throw my arms around him, resting my head on his chest. He holds me tightly. God, it feels nice to be back here.

"I missed you so much," he mumbles. I press my lips against his, eager for another kiss. He places his hand on my jaw, running his thumb over my cheek. He scans my eyes once he pulls away, his expression filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright," I kiss him again. "Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," he nods. "I fucking hated that."

"It was awful. I know it wasn't real, but still."

"It hurt. I hated saying that stuff to you, and seeing you with that guy..."

"I hated it. I hated all of it. I never want to argue with you like that."

"We never will. I promise we never will."

"I don't want to let you go."

He pulls me back in for another kiss. The events of today slowly start to fade away. I just want to be here with him for as long as possible, making up for everything we went through today. No yelling, no swearing, no violence — just us, together in each other's arms.