Page 128 of Iris' Lying Eyes
But my attention is turned once more when Diem claps his hands. His mouth is curled in a smile, but his eyes are grim as he says, “Well played, but you better figure out how to have leverage, or you’ll lose it all.”
“You better back the fuck off,” Bastion growls, stepping in front of me.
“Relax, I’m not the enemy. But if Iris wants to live, dick, she needs to toughen up. This isn’t a game. This is real life, and Paddy McCafferty doesn’t care about blood. He cares about loyalty. You prove your loyalty, and maybe he’ll give you what you want. Maybe.”
“Oh, and you know all about that, hm?” Bastion sneers.
“Yes, I do. I’m living this fucking life too,” Diem says, his brows over his eyes. “Now, Iris, it’s time.”
Turning to Bastion with a million questions in my eyes, I wait for his response. I started this. Now I have to finish it. But I won’t do it without his approval.
He grabs my arm and pulls me up, staring into my eyes. “This is it. I’m right behind you. Okay?”
“Yes,” I say through numb lips.
“Good. Play the game, baby. I’m going to make this right.”
Make what right? But I don’t have time, and with a nod, I step away from him, my fingers sliding from his upheld palm.
Behind me, Diem holds out his hand with a smirk, and taking a deep breath, I place my hand in his, hissing, “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Not possible,” he rumbles, pulling me inside.
My last glance at Bastion reveals him staring at me with his dark eyes, and the determined glint warms me even as a chill invades my soul. Please let his passion live through this.
Diem leads me through the throng, and we emerge on the other side, passing down a hall and into a dimly lit study decorated in warm hues, with a blazing fire in the stone fireplace. It’s too fucking hot for a fire, and I step away, fanning my cheeks.
Frankly, I don’t know who to be more afraid of, Paddy or Finnen. Does Finnen know of my bargain with Ramsay?
“Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” Paddy says, entering the room like a fucking king.
There’s so much that needs to be resolved, but the first thing that leaves my mouth is, “What about Finnen?”
Paddy’s mouth curls into a frown, and he looks away, his tone thoughtful. “He was an abomination from birth. Just never figured it out. I tried to steer him away, but no matter what I did, something just wasn’t right in his head.”
“And my mom?” I whisper.
He shakes his head, his eyes losing a little life. “She never could understand. I was protecting her and you. The less Finnen knew, the better.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask how sending me back to John constituted protection but arguing with this proverbial giant will get me nowhere. Maybe, though, my mom’s willingness to go along with the plan to take out McCafferty wasn’t filled with holes.
It’s not much, but it’s better than believing she chose John over me.
“What are you going to do to him?” I ask, and he smiles.
The chilly glint in his eyes makes me shiver, and I look away as he says, “He’ll be taken care of.”
“Just like that?” I whisper.
Nodding, he says in his gravelly voice, “Now then. My grandnephew says you’re stuck on Bastion Bruno.”
Thanks, Diem. Wanker.
I have no idea if I’m signing my death warrant, but I find I’d rather die speaking the truth than tell another lie.
With a slow nod, I say, “I love him.”
And my knees weaken. Holy shit, there’s no going back now. I love the big, brooding bastard.