Page 127 of Iris' Lying Eyes
Turning my head, I mumble, “What game are you playing now?”
“Dammit, Iris,” he growls, pulling me closer. “I want you. Fuck, I’ll marry you right now if that’s what it takes.”
Stones form in my belly and I slam my fist against his pec, ignoring the sting. “What? Now I know you’ve lost your mind. B, I’m me. Hell, I can’t even have children.”
I’m grasping at straws but its true. I’m defective. A broken doll, so worn down, I’m not even eligible for a return.
“Who cares?” He shrugs and huff out a breath. How do I make him see?
But all thoughts of railing at him until he comes to his senses fade when he pulls out a massive diamond and shoves it in my hand. Most decidedly not romantic, I think as I stare, dumbly at the ring.
“No, this isn’t real,” I whisper.
“It’s ten fucking carats,” he growls.
Rolling my eyes, I hold out the ring to him and chuff, “I wasn’t talking about the diamond.”
He ignores my outstretched hand, pulling a wad of papers from his other pocket and pressing them against my chest. “No? We’ll see about that.”
With no other choice, I grab them from his hand and ask, “What’s this?”
He points without speaking. The intensity of his stare burns my chest, and with shaky fingers, I unfold the documents, finding my name written across the lot of them.
“I don’t understand,” I mumble.
“It’s half. Of everything. When you marry me, it’ll be because you want to, not because you have to.”
“That’s insane,” I breathe, scanning the papers until I find the bottom line. Millions.
No fucking way. He can’t. No!
“B—”
“It’s yours. It was moved into an account yesterday.”
He holds up the ring and grabs my hand. Dazed, I don’t protest when he slides it on my finger. “It’s you and me now, baby.”
“I—” I don’t know what I was going to say, but my heart is in my throat when we’re interrupted.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
I glance away to find Diem leaning against the jamb, a curious smile on his lips. He looks at me and then Bastion before raising a brow.
My fingers curl around the metal and stone. Is this real? Have I made a mistake by coming here?
Pulling me close, B growls, “McCafferty.”
“Bruno,” Diem says, tipping his head.
“What do you want?”
“I’m here for my cousin. You should be more careful,” he tsks, “people can see you.”
“I don’t care,” I whisper, raising my chin. I’ve made my decision, and this time, I’m going all in. I’ve loved Bastion since he took me in his arms and called me baby the first time. I can no longer deny it. I don’t want to. Let the chips fall where they may.
“I’m done with this. I’m done. This is what I choose, and if someone wants me to fucking perform, they better give me what I need,” I say, warmth suffusing my system when Bastion’s hand spasms around mine.
I squeeze his fingers and suppress a silly smile when he squeezes back.