Heartbreak You - T.L. Smith Page 0,36

words, and she’s never been sexually interested, for obvious reasons. Sydney’s never found me the least bit attractive, which helps considerably, and she’s in my business for all the right reasons.

I would never let her go, she’s invaluable to me, and so I pay her handsomely. But also I make sure she’s happy because sometimes money isn’t everything, and I can tell with Sydney she needs to be stimulated as well as rewarded. For this reason, we get along, and she has never been afraid to call me out on decisions or dress me down when needed. I don’t always like it, actually sometimes I detest her, but I put up with it because she is irreplaceable. No matter even if I wanted, I would never be able to replace Sydney in my business dealings. So, I keep her happy no matter the cost to me financially or personally.

“Just got word someone broke into Theadora’s house.” I turn at Garry’s voice. “He’s on his way here now.”

One of my father’s men sits in front of me, shitty prison tattoos cover his skin, and he’s missing several teeth. My father would have paid him next to nothing to go after what’s mine.

“Let me go! Your father won’t be happy about this,” he says.

Really? As if I care what my father thinks or says.

“You think I care what he thinks?”

My cell rings which is perfectly timed. My father’s voice booms out, “Atlas.”

“Father.” I reach for my knife and step closer to the man who’s shackled to the ceiling by his wrists. We’re far enough away from Theadora that she won’t hear him scream. “I got your present.”

‘Present?” he asks. I can tell by the tone in his voice he’s confused.

“Pinchy… that’s the name he goes by? Really, Father?” I say with a shake of my head. “Pinchy?” I laugh, but it’s dry and full of disdain. “You’ve gotten worse with old age.”

“That woman needs to go. She’s a distraction for you that I don’t need you to have.”

“You have no idea what I need.”

He takes a deep steadying breath into the cell. “I know better than anyone because I have been there. But unlike my father, I’m showing you the right ways. You don’t need her, Atlas. So, stop getting in the way and let me rid you of your burden.”

“If anything happens to her, I will find a way to kill you, Father. Jail or no jail, no matter what.”

He hangs up on me, and I look up at Pinchy. The asshole is smirking at me as if he’s just won some sort of game.

“You have nothing to be gloating about,” I tell him.

Pinchy thrashes against the ropes that bind him and starts spitting words at me, “You’re nothing like him. That man is a god, and you are just a thing he created.” He says the word ‘thing’ like it tastes bitter in his mouth. “In due time, the hit will be on your head.”

“Do you have any will to live, or are you simply extremely dumb?” I step closer to him, placing my blade across his throat and I slide it along, not enough to cut deep, but just enough that he goes stock still at the pain. His breath stopping as he waits for me to apply more pressure and end his miserable existence of a life. When I don’t and remove the knife, he laughs.

“See, you’re weak. You are a piece of shit, and that little bitch of yours will be dead soon enough. He wants it done, so it will be done.” He smirks, and those missing teeth are on full display again. “She sure is pretty, though. I wonder if we can have a turn with her before we maim her, then take pleasure in watching that bitch take her last breath.”

I breathe in deeply, and before I can stop myself the knife slices straight across his throat, and his shocked eyes make me think he never saw it coming.

My father must have no idea the lengths I will take to protect Theadora.

The only person who’s allowed to kidnap her is me.

“Keep an eye on her place and up surveillance,” I tell Garry who nods and walks out. I drop the knife and wipe my hands on my pants as I leave, the shower I took earlier seems as though it was unnecessary now.

Heading back to the bedroom, I see Theadora curled up in a ball on my bed. I tear off my clothes, and