Page 137 of Compulsion
So did Gage.
“Gage doesn’t think I’m a killer any longer,” she informed Atlas.“Seems my mother has been pulling strings from prison.”
Atlas’s thick eyelashes flickered.“How interesting.”
“Gage believes she murdered David Warren and a doctor named Dr.Francis Locke.I’m no longer under suspicion in his mind.I’m not some evil murderess.”She tried to step around Gage.
But he blocked her path.Blocked her from seeing Atlas.
“Lily…” Emotion—desperation—deepened Gage’s voice.“You need to make the right choice.I’m a Fed.My job is to hunt criminals.To stop predators.We can hunt them together.We can be on the right side of the law.I love you.I can say that.Say it without hesitation because I know how I feel.”
Oh, really?And he’d loved her when he’d thought she was a killer?
I am a killer.Right.
“Can he say the same?”Gage wanted to know.“Has Atlas Bennett ever said he loves you?Do you think he everwilllove you?”
A low growl came from Atlas.Then the floor was creaking as he approached.“Move,Agent Emerick.Now.”
Jaw tight, Gage stepped to the side.
Atlas was now in front of Lily.Tall.Strong.With those brilliant blue eyes blazing at her.No sign of his dimples.No taunting smile.Just…
“What do you want, Lily?”Atlas asked her.“Because I will give you anything in this world.Even if what you want…isn’t me.”
He was telling her that she could walk away.
“Ask him if he loves you,” Gage snapped.
Ah.Gage.Thinking he had such insight into Atlas.Thinking that he knew a psychopath and a psychopath’s capabilities…and limitations.But Atlas wasn’t like that.Gage was wrong.
So many people were wrong.
“I don’t have to ask him,” Lily said, completely certain.She reached out for Atlas.
He caught her hand.There were bandages on his fingers.Bandages to cover the wounds he’d gotten whilesavingCarl, so she touched him very carefully.
“I know how he feels.”She did.
Despite the bandages, his grip tightened on her.“Lily…” Atlas said her name like it was a prayer.
“I’m ready to go home, Atlas.Take me home?”
A jerky nod.Then he was pulling her close, tucking her against his side, holding her so tightly, as if he’d never, ever let go.They were almost to the exit at the FBI office when?—
“Lily!”Gage’s choked voice.“Why?”
She glanced back.He’d followed them.
“Why?”Gage asked again.
Because Atlas takes me as I am.All of me.He always has.And because he risked his life to save me.He would do that, again and again.And if that’s not love…
Then she didn’t know what was.She opened her mouth to reply?—
“Because I love her, dumbass.Every single part of her.And don’t go expecting an invitation to the wedding.You will not get one.”
Shocked, she looked back at Atlas.He was staring at her, jaw locked, appearing disgruntled, and he’d just said that he loved her.He’d called Gage a dumbass, but Atlas had said he loved her and?—
