Atticus by R.E. Butler
Chapter Three
Lori couldn’t remember the last time she’d agreed to have a meal with someone she didn’t know. But the park workers were all so nice, and Javan—who worked with Novi in the security office—wouldn’t introduce her to someone who was not a good person, that much she knew.
And…there was something about Atticus.
It wasn’t just that he was good-looking.
Well, that was an understatement. He was freaking incredible looking, all muscles and broad shoulders, with dark brown eyes and hair.
He looked at her like she was the most important person on the planet, and she liked it. So she’d agreed to some company, if only to get to know him a little. It would be nice to have someone to talk to besides Novi and Cael.
“So you’re a mechanic?” she asked after taking a bite of the delicious burger. The park had the best food she’d ever had, and she never had to pay for any of it. She was so surprised at how generous everyone was. Not only had they given her a furnished apartment for free, but she could have food delivered from the park any time of the day or night. She could also go to any food stalls, but today was her first time feeling up to venturing into the park.
“Yep,” he said. He put down his burger and took a drink of soda. “My father was really good with cars. When I was eight, I helped him rebuild an old pickup and I was hooked. My first car was a beater muscle car that I completely rebuilt.”
“Did your dad help you with that?”
“Ah, no. He died when I was fourteen.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks. My dad raised me. My mom married another guy after I was born, and I didn’t see her much. She’s gone now too. It’s just me and my son, Zane, in my family. Well, Zane and his wife, Adriana, and their little one, Carson.”
“How long have you worked at the park?”
“I went to vocational school to get official training and came to the park after I graduated. Zane’s also a mechanic here.” Conversation stopped for a little bit while they ate, and then he asked where she worked.
“At a little discount store. I stock and handle the register.”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s work,” she said with a shrug.
He hummed and she liked the sound. Which was so weird. She was having the strangest trains of thought whenever he talked. And her main train of thought? How freaking sexy he was. She didn’t think she’d ever been around a guy who oozed more sex appeal than Atticus. There was something about him that just drew her in, and she couldn’t put her finger on it.
She liked it, but she also feared it.
She couldnotget attached to someone right now, not when she was planning to leave so she could draw Keir away from Novi and go on the run again.
“Are you okay?” Atticus asked.
She blinked. Had she said something out loud? “I...yes, why?”
“You’re rubbing your heart, and you look so sad right now.”
She was tempted—so freaking tempted—to tell him everything, but that was not the kind of person she was. She played everything close to the vest and never told anyone anything about her and Novi’s struggles. She didn’t like or want pity.
Then again, he worked at the park and so did Novi and Cael. Everyone she’d met seemed to already know what the deal was with their situation, which she found embarrassing on a hundred different levels.
Damn his eyes were hypnotic.
“You probably already know what’s going on with me.” It was a question and a statement.
He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah. I’m sure I don’t know everything, but I heard about your struggles. Youaresafe here. Patrols run all night, we’ve got security cameras and lights around the wall, and no one wants to see you or your daughter harmed again. If that asshole believes he can get in here to either of you, he’s going to be very disappointed.”
She was not going to smile and melt at how sweet and protective he sounded. She’d done just fine on her own with Novi all these years, and she’d continue to be fine when she moved on.
She said what she didn’t really feel because she didn’t want to argue. “I know.”
His eyes darkened and his mouth pulled down at the corners for a brief moment. Did he know the truth? Did he know she didn’t really feel safe anywhere?
But instead of calling her on what she’d said, he moved on and asked her a question she hadn’t expected. “Have you been on a park tour yet?”
How many times had Novi offered her the same thing?
“No.”
“After we finish eating, I’d love to take you around. You can see all the stuff no one else gets to see.”
“Oh? Novi gets to be with the animals because of Cael. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
“I was just going to offer to show you the garage where I work. I’m not a vet, so my access is limited.”
“Well, that would be nice too. Then I don’t have to worry about anything eating me.”
He choked suddenly, coughing hard and turning to the side as his face turned red and he tried to dislodge whatever he’d inhaled.
“Are you okay?”
He coughed a few more times and then wheezed in a breath. “Yeah,” he said in a strained voice. “Sure.”
“Really? Cause you look like you swallowed your tongue.”
He cleared his throat and took a long drink of soda. “You could say that.”
She tilted her head to watch him as he regained his composure. Was it something she’d said? But what had she said that had startled him?
“If you’re sure you’re okay. I don’t think I could get my arms around you to give you the Heimlich, you’re too muscly.”
He grinned at her, and a dimple appeared in one cheek.
Now who was swallowing their tongue?
Her whole body flushed, and she pressed her lips together. Was she blushing? There was something about Atticus. She was very drawn to him. So drawn to him that she wanted to tell him everything and ask him to stay with her and keep her safe. She’d never asked anyone for help, not since her sister had taken her and Novi in when Novi was a baby and hid them. Keir had found them, though, and her sister could’ve died from the altercation. Lori had never asked anyone for help since, and she didn’t want to now.
Not really. Not when being with her could put a target on Atticus’s back.
She sighed and rubbed the space between her eyes.
Focus on anything but how sexy he is.
“I’d like a park tour, thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Oh it could be. And then she mentally slapped her inner hussy. Sure it had been ages—a decade?—since she’d had sex. She just didn’t like to let anyone get that close to her. It made her feel less safe, made her worry more. She’d gone the way of a battery-operated-boyfriend instead of a real one.
“Then let’s finish up and I’ll take you around. I promise no one will eat you.”
She smirked. “Thanks.”
“Hey, you’re safe with me. I swear on my own life.”
She lowered her gaze to her burger and lifted it. “You don’t owe me that, Atticus. You don’t owe me anything.”
“But I want to. When I said you’re safe here, it’s because it’s the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you just to make you feel better. I know you’re scared. I know you have one foot out the door. But you can relax, you can have freedom and safety here in the park.”
“It’s only temporary. Eventually someone in the park will need the apartment and I’ll have to leave anyway.”
“That’s not going to happen. We have plenty of housing, we just set up the apartment complex for future employees. No one would kick you out. I wouldn’t allow it.”
She glanced up at him and saw his eyes flash from dark brown to gold. It was so brief she almost wasn’t sure she’d seen it happen. But she had—she knew she had.
It seemed like there was more to Atticus than met the eye, but she wasn’t sure she would stick around to find out.
