The Leverage Baby

**CALISTA**

“No.”

The word sliced through my skull, and I sat up straighter, pulse roaring.

This would be harder than I thought.

The air smelled of leather and car freshener so strong that I could taste it in the back of my throat, but all I could think of was how the last time I was this close to Atlas Kane, I chose Merrick instead of him.

“What do you mean, no?” My palms were sweaty.

“Exactly what the word means.”

“But…I told you everything!”

“Yes, and I have decided that it is not worth my time.” He said dismissively, glancing at his watch.

A faint tremor started in my hands, but I clenched them into fists.

What was I thinking coming here? That he would welcome me with open arms like I did not almost spit in his face years ago?

Stupid Calista. But I would rather die trying than die by Astrid's hand.

The car screeched to a halt, almost sending me flying from my seat.

“What —” my voice died in my throat when the driver stepped out and yanked open my door.

“If you will excuse me, Mrs Winslow, I have places to be.” Atlas raised a brow, eyeing my shoes.

“I hope you can walk in those. You can get a cab around here, if you are lucky.”

My heart pounded furiously, and the smell of baked beans from the restaurant across the street filtered into the car, churning my stomach.

“Atlas—”

“Leave, Calista. Now.” He said, voice ringing with finality.

My heart thumped hard, and a dull ache sparked right in the center of my stomach, almost bending me over.

“Ma'am?” The driver prompted, shifting on his feet.

I turned my face to the scanty street, watching people go about their lives, like mine was not falling apart.

A woman in a floral gown crossed the street, clutching the hand of a little girl with auburn hair.

My chest twisted painfully, and I stopped my hand from finding my stomach. Soon, I would lose this child. Soon, Merrick would have total control over my company.

I would lose before the game ever started, except this was not a game—it was my life.

“Ma'am…”

My stare drifted to Atlas and his infuriatingly calm face.

“No.”

He blinked.

“Calista, what are you —”

“I will not go. You WILL help me.”

“You want to force my hand?” He chuckled darkly.

“I want to win, and you are going to make it happen.” My confidence surprised me, but I kept a straight face.

“Mrs Winslow, you have no idea what —”

“I am pregnant, Atlas.” I blurted, and the air went still.

For a moment, it felt as if the world had stopped.

Time passed, and even the driver looked apologetic. It hurt me to have to leverage a child that would never get to live, but it had to be done.

And it worked.

Atlas’ gaze stayed on my stomach for a long moment before lifting back to my face.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

My heart thumped violently in my chest.

“Do you know what I think, Mrs Winslow?”

I swallowed. “What?”

“I think you are either incredibly brave…” his voice lowered, “…or incredibly desperate.”

Silence stretched between us, then he leaned back slowly.

“And desperate people make the best allies.”

“Take ten.” He said to the driver.

The door slammed shut, sealing my desperation with my husband's sworn enemy.

“Are you thirsty?” He held open the console refrigerator to reveal bottles of water and whiskey.

My throat ached for the burn of the whiskey, for the steady warmth to ground my nerves, but water would do.

“Yes, thank you.” I whispered, taking the ice cold bottle from him.

Condensation trickled down my fingers, and my back ached from sitting up so straight.

“I am guessing it is Merrick's child?” Atlas intertwined his fingers.

“Yes.”

“Congratulations?” He offered, gaze dropping to my stomach again.

I wished congratulations were in order.

“Not the time.” My fingers fiddled with the bottle cap.

“My apologies. Where were we?”

“You were about to kick me out of your car.”

“Do not push it. The only reason you are still here is because your situation suddenly became, well…interesting.” he eyed my belly.

The unspoken truth hung between us, and I twisted the bottle cap to break the awkward silence.

Atlas sighed and leaned back against his seat, thumb tapping his lips. In my past life, I found it endearing. Now, I found it excruciating.

“I have one question, though.” He stopped tapping to look at me, really looking at me.

“I do enjoy a legal bloodbath any day, but I need to know why. What did he do to send you running right back into my arms?”

He killed me. Him, and…

“Astrid. He's sleeping with her.” Her name rolled off my tongue like bile.

Silence.

I twisted the bottle cap fully and tilted it to my lips.

The water tasted like static and left a tart taste in my mouth, but I drank it anyway.

Nothing like sparkling water to steady the nerves.

Atlas waited until I had my fill, and I handed him the bottle with a soft burp.

“Sorry.” I cupped a hand over my mouth.

“For what it's worth, I am not surprised. Merrick did always have wandering eyes.”

Always?

“You never told me,” my voice faltered.

He shook his head slowly, jaw tight.

“It was never about you. A cheater would always cheat. If it was not your sister, it would have been someone else.”

His words should have comforted me, instead they scraped into my ears like a mocking reminder of the choices I made.

My eyes dropped to my left hand, to the gleaming gold ring that sealed my fate until my death.

“I…owe you an apology for the way things went.” I whispered.

“Don't.”

“Please, let me.” I lifted my gaze to him, memories flashing before my eyes—of the way his face was etched in pain when I twisted the proverbial knife.

“I should have stood by your side when your company went under, instead I…”

“Married my best friend-turned-enemy and left me in the dust? I do not accept your apology.”

My heart sank, cold air creeping up my arms.

I lost, I lost everything.

“What I will accept,” he continued, “is your cooperation when the time comes to remove Merrick from the board… and the opportunity to acquire his shares when the bastard falls.”

What…

My eyes met his, blue pools brimming with the thrill of a challenge.

“You are going to help me?” I asked, relief surging to the surface when he nodded.

“But only if my conditions are met.”

That thwarted my joy.

“I must tell you, I cannot just transfer Merrick's shares. I do not have that authority. I would have to convince the board, and—”

“That should not be a problem. You are Calista Winslow. You can do anything.”

His blue eyes dilated with…sincerity? Pity? Scorn?

“I will see what I can do.” I smoothed my sweaty palms over my skirt.

“Then we have a deal. A contract, if you will.” He extended his hand and I hesitated for half a second before taking it, blanching at the softness of his palm and the way his touch lingered for just a moment…

The driver was coming back, clutching a takeaway bag that would be his lunch…or dinner.

“What happens now?” I asked.

“Now,” he checked his watch, “go home, and wait for my call.”

I wanted to remind him that he didn't have my number, but the door was pulled open again, and Atlas was already taking another call.

So, with a deep breath, I stepped into the street, shoes pinching my toes.

The range rover zoomed off, and I followed it with my eyes until it turned the corner and disappeared.

He would find a way. He had to.

The golden glow of the setting sun gave the city an almost picturesque filter, and I longed for a cup of coffee and some cupcakes.

Except I was still standing on the curb, one thought bubbling in my mind,

“I…did it.” I whispered, then a smile curved my lips.

I did it! I knew I wasn't so weak after all.

My phone buzzed in my purse, and I knew I should not look at it, but I did anyway.

I thought it was Merrick. I was sorely mistaken.

My mother's words flashed across the screen like a warning,

“Come home right now. We need to talk.”

I braced myself and flagged a taxi, but with my mother, it was never just ‘talk’.

It was a head-on collision with the promise of certain destruction, and I was walking right into it.