Play with Me (An Empyrean Novel)- Season 1 - Book 5

Part 4

I stare at the image in the mirror. Each layer I remove from Alexandra makes me more vulnerable as Atlas. It wasn't Alexandra who was on the boat or watched Reece bleed. And it definitely wasn't her who knelt when he commanded it. It's illogical to think of them as two different people, when in reality they are all me, but it stripped nothing from me as Alexandra. While it lay Atlas bare.

With a sigh of resignation, I reach up and pull my blonde hair into a low ponytail. As I stand, I tug the knee-length cardigan around me. It's not much armor but it will do for now. I glance at my watch. Five minutes until my execution. I walk to the tunnel door and click off the lights to Alexandra's dressing room.

I measure each stride, as I try to calm the butterflies taking flight in my stomach. I realize they think they are right but I am lost without Reece. Our time together shifted something and I don't know if I like it.

I press the hidden bookcase door open and walk into the PR firm. A cacophony of voices assault me as I step to the studio apartment staircase.

"What aren't you telling us, Dominick? And who is this?" Kade says so loud even I cringe.

The silence that follows, along with the recalcitrant, "Yes, Sir" makes me almost laugh. I know the exact look Dominick shot across the room.

Seconds later the chatter is back up to a roar until I step into the apartment and it shatters to silence.

"Good evening," I say with all the confidence I can muster.

"Welcome, Atlas. I'm glad you joined us," Dominick says from the leather chair on the far side of the seating area. Memories of dinner with Reece flood my mind and I blink back the tears which threaten to spill.

I nod and take the empty leather seat opposite him. Around the room, everyone else is sitting on barstools, the floor or the couch, with one exception. An unfamiliar person is propped on the window sill. He turns to watch me as I sit. When his face comes into full view, an odd recognition dawns on me but I refuse to acknowledge it.

"I see you've brought someone new into our mist for such a personal conversation," I accuse Dominick.

"It was necessary."

"Then you won't mind explaining it to the rest of the class," I reply with an audacity I do not possess.

"In due time. We were discussing your current situation," he said with a regal nod.

"Actually, I believe Kade was accusing you of not sharing information. Much the same way I just did."

"Indeed," he stated.

I stare at him. Neither one of us flinches under the harsh gaze of the other.

"You'll lose this game, Atlas. I do not mind if it is in front of this group... do you?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

I force my breath to remain steady but I already know I will capitulate. For several minutes, I hold his gaze. The strain in the room increases and no one dares to say a word. We lock in a battle of wills until his jaw tightens, then my eyes drop to the floor right in front of his feet.

"Good decision," Dominick praises me in a firm whisper.

When I lift my eyes, two pair stare back with the same level of tension. It is the man behind Dominick I want to learn more about because what I know doesn't makes sense.