Page 109 of Iris' Lying Eyes

His nostrils flare like a bull as he grabs my hand, pulling me close. My nipples burn at the contact, and I shove against him, but he’s immune, growling, “Stop it. Stop pushing me away.”

“Fuck you,” I seethe before he pulls me in, and I slam my mouth to his. Our tongues battle for supremacy until I pull away and drop to the mattress. The bed dips as Bastion joins me, and when a tear rolls from my eye, he wipes it away, saying gruffly, “I’ve got you.”

I don’t fight him, but I know it’s not true. How could he? He only knows what I’ve told him, and it’s too late to reveal the extent of my lies.

∞∞∞

We’re hunkered down in his fortress and waiting for the men guarding Liberty to make a move. In the meantime, Bastion finally fills the house. We now have a game room, movie room, and bedrooms for everyone to sleep in.

Mousy Rose hasn’t approached me again, and I’m floating through the days, ignoring what’s coming for me. I haven’t heard from Finnen either, the fucker, but I know it’s only a matter of time. I broke the rules. And Finnen is really into fucking rules.

I invited the enemy into his home. The problem is, I don’t know him well enough to know what the punishment will be, but if I know anything, it won’t be pleasant.

However, what’s weighing on me the most is the knowledge that I made a deal unknowing of who the players were and now I’m afraid of what might happen if I don’t follow through. Just as I’m equally terrified of the outcome if I do.

At night when we’re alone, Bastion makes love to me before we share little tidbits about ourselves that no one knows. It’s wonderful and horrible, but I hold the moments close because they’re what’s going to keep me going when nothing else can.

I’m out by the pool, soaking in the sun, when Rose appears and drops a phone in my lap. With a grimace, I don’t comment and wait five minutes before grabbing my stuff and heading back to the room.

I’m still sleeping in the pink monstrosity, and Bastion hasn’t complained about it. Seeing as how we’ve christened it in more ways than one, I’ve grown quite fond of it, anyway.

Bastion is downstairs somewhere, and I make a beeline for the bathroom, locking myself inside. Setting the phone on the counter, I pace back and forth. Back and forth, staring at the damn thing until my eyes cross.

I haven’t turned on the one that B crunched between his fingers at the cabin and the phone Roman planted on B’s mother was tossed in a drawer. It’s all another way of avoiding reality. But reality always finds a way in. With a groan, I power the new phone on. Immediately, messages pop up, and I slide to the floor as I read them.

My patience is wearing thin

I gave you freedom, pet. Now it’s time to come home

You think they’ll still want you there when they learn what you’ve done? You’re the devil hiding in sheep’s clothing

Here is where you belong

Closing my eyes, I swipe at my cheeks and sigh. The interlude was nice, but he’s losing patience, as he said. I only have so much time before he acts.

Does he know about her? Your little love child? Have you told him?

Sucking in a breath, I type out a response and hit send before I can think twice.

Don’t threaten me, you fucker. I know more than you can ever say about me

Bubbles form immediately, and I rub my brow. I should’ve held off because now he knows I have the phone. I just wanted a little more time.

Is that too much to ask?

Careful…

Smiling humorlessly, I type, I need more time

John: You’ve had time. Do what I want, or you’ll force my hand

Iris: I can’t just leave. They’re watching

John: Let them. Maybe I’ll finally finish what you started

Closing out the phone, I power it off and stuff it in the tampon box below the sink. I’m pretty sure B won’t check there. Guys tend to avoid that shit if they can.

This is what it’s come to. I have to choose. It’s the most painful decision I’ve ever made, but it’s easy. I’ll never not go through with it. I’ve risked everything for them, and I can’t back down now.