Page 106 of Iris' Lying Eyes

Looking over her shoulder, I meet Jig’s wide-eyed gaze and cave. Better that she hates me than him, right? Shit, I’m losing my touch.

“Your mom’s alive.”

“Come again?” She leans back and touches her neck. Strange because it’s an affectation that reminds me of Lorraine although I never noticed it before.

“Your mom didn’t die in that car accident.”

“Then where is she?” Her lip wobbles, and I stare at my cuticles. Anything to avoid the damn heartbreak. What happened to the cold-hearted bitch who threatened her cousin?

“She made a choice. I don’t know the particulars, but I suspect it’s about Ben.”

Jig flinches, and I drill him with my stare. How could he not know that she lived? His own damn family was gunning for them.

Alice follows my gaze and swings in her seat. “Did you know?”

“No,” Jig says, his bright blue eyes dimmed.

She drops her head, and he sags, rubbing his chest. Beyond his shoulder, Bastion eyes me coolly, and I stretch my lips into a bitchy smile. I’m sure somehow this is my fault too.

Thankfully, I’m spared the lecture when Rain passes him by with Joey and the little girl in tow. The little girl pauses when she sees me, and my heart does a somersault. But for a few years difference in age, this could be Baby Girl.

Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder—are her eyes granite pools like B’s? Or more of a chocolate brown like mine? Did she keep his dark hair, or maybe it’s an auburn hue?

When my throat closes, I turn away, meeting Joey’s hopeful gaze.

“Iris,” he says, and I smile through my tears and say, “Hey, little man.”

His eyes light up, and my stomach clenches, thousands of memories pressing at my heart. Joey when he was two and tried to eat bird crap; Rain and me when we used to camp out in the backyard and whisper secrets to each other until one of us passed out; even my mom, who made the best pancakes ever as a special treat.

My mouth waters at the thought, and I swallow as Rain says, “There’s no food. What can they eat?”

Since this has been a mystery for a while yet, I don’t bother to respond, but Bastion says gruffly from the door, “I’ll send Rose to the store.”

My pulse jumps at the mention of her name, but I keep my expression placid. Will she see John if she leaves?

Will he give me another message? Let’s hope she keeps the damn gun out of the way if she does.

“Okay,” Rain says.

“Who’re you?” The little sprite asks, her pretty green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Veah, this is my cousin, Iris,” Rain says.

“Oh.” She cocks her head to the side. “Are you a hure, like Rain?”

Rain chokes, and I frown. “I don’t . . .”

My eyes flash to hers, and she bites her lip. A chuckle escapes, and soon I’m laughing until I’m crying into my arms.

“What’s so funny?” Cyn asks, and I take off again, Rain’s chuckles blending with mine.

“Nothing,” Rain says, wiping her eyes. Cyn looks between us suspiciously before pecking Rain on the mouth.

“I’m starving,” Cyn says.

“I’m sending her now,” Bastion sighs.

Chapter Twenty-Two