Page 33 of Westward

His chest heaved as he took deep breaths, and Will was behind me, with his shaky hand on my shoulder. The three of us stood there, holding each other back from making terrible decisions, as the sheriff and his team came forward.

Everything moved quickly then, and I sucked in a breath, trying to catch up. I wouldn’t let go of either Atlas or Will, though. When the team wanted to take photos of my neck and see if I needed to go to the doctor, it took everything within me and Will to hold Atlas back before he went to track down Dobson.

By the time we got through everything the sheriff needed, and the crowd that had inevitably grown finally dispersed, I stood in my home, hands shaking, as Atlas cupped my face.

“I’m going to kill him.”

“I’m fine. I promise.”

“I’m so sorry,” Will said from beside us. “I should go to work. Or just leave. I keep bringing shit to you.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said as I pulled away from Atlas and turned towards Will. “Other people make their own choices, and even if they’re cruel ones, it’s not your fault. I’m not going to let that man hurt you either.”

“Damn straight,” Atlas said from between us. “In fact, I’m not going to let him hurt either one of you. And if you’d let me, I’d force both of you to move into my house, with my security system, and never let you go. But apparently that would be a little over the top. So we’re going to sit here, talk it over, and then, I’m going to try not to go to the sheriff’s station and beat the shit out of that old man.”

Will’s lips twitched. “I’d hold your coat for you, but it’s the summer.”

“Violence isn’t the answer,” I said, even though I really wanted to hit the old man too. And so I stood there between two men who kept trying to protect me, feeling as lost as ever.

When the hell had my life gotten so complicated?

Chapter 8

ATLAS

Lizzie

I don’t know why you’re sending this to me.

Me

It’s my new ad. What do you think?

Lizzie

Why do you have to be shirtless with your pants nearly around your ankles in order to show off a watch? How many watches do you have? How many watches does one need?

Me

First off, my pants are just unbuttoned. Like I’m finishing a long day. They aren’t at my ankles. You’ve seen them at my ankles before.

Lizzie

I’m sure many a person has seen them at your ankles before because you did that underwear ad.

Me

Excuse me. I printed out that underwear ad and made sure that my brother kept it in the bar and grill. It’s framed.

Lizzie

With somebody’s face taped on top of it. The only reason anybody would know it was you is if they knew your tattoos.

Me

Well, you didn’t answer. What do you think of the ad?

Lizzie