Page 54 of Iris' Lying Eyes
Bastion must have come and gone while I was downstairs because the bathroom is still steamy when I step inside. Even better, I won’t have to see him until the guests start to arrive.
In honor of the color he’s going to learn to hate before this is through, I select a pretty pink dress that comes to my knees. Strapless, my bare shoulders glisten in the light. The outfit hugs my minimal curves and accentuates my breasts.
Bastion ordered me to dress like a whore, but Ms. O left nothing but beautiful materials designed for elegance. I guess he’ll have to be disappointed, unless you count the tattoos painting my skin, striking against the pretty hue.
I do my face in neutral shadows with the makeup I ordered and apply pink lipstick.
Donning nude pumps, I look at myself in the mirror and pause. Once again, I feel like an impostor in the getup, and an icy chill pervades my soul.
What am I doing? What is B doing? Why does he want to play house all of a sudden? Is it all for show?
Uneasily, I pack my bag with a few pairs of jeans and shirts before hiding it under the bed. Once Bastion is otherwise occupied, I’m out.
Ignoring the pinch in my chest at the thought, I peek into one of the rooms as I pass. The sight of the huge bed decorated in various shades of pink makes me smile.
Colorful pillows of the same hue decorate a creamy sofa against the wall, and a brilliant painting of a pink blotch of nothing hangs over the sofa.
Closing the door behind me, I step down the stairs and enter the living room, now filled with sleek black sofas, chrome end tables, and matching artwork.
Bastion stands facing the window, and I admire his ass in the black suit before stopping at the bar I also ordered, along with crystal ware and enough alcohol to supply a kegger.
Perusing the options, I decide on a fancy whiskey and pour two shots into a glass before sipping on the wicked brew. It burns all the way down just the way I like it, and with a sigh, I tip my head.
Bastion clears his throat, and I glance his way, observing his gaze firmly fixed on my red hair cascading down my back before his eyes fall to my legs and come back to the slim column of my neck.
Curling my mouth in a smile, I raise my drink. “Thirsty?”
His eyes flash to mine, the burn heating me through before they’re banked, and he says, “I had my fill earlier.”
The message is clear, and I hide my frown by taking another sip of my drink, closing my eyes against the ache forming in my chest.
Keep it together.
Bastion chuckles and grabs the drink from my hand. With a sour look, I pour another and sit down on the couch.
Exactly how long do I have to mingle before I can go? Because now that I have a course set, I’m itchy to follow through.
“Something wrong?” Bastion asks, and I frown before I realize he’s still teasing me about his fuckfest or whatever.
With a tepid smile, I say, “Never better.”
His eyes narrow, and he sits beside me, grabbing my chin. “Whatever is going through that diabolical mind of yours, quit it. If I have to go out of my way to rein you in, you’ll regret it.”
I’m saved from answering when one of B’s men announces from the door, “Mr. Castinetti.”
Bastion stands stiffly while approaching Castinetti. I’ve met the man a few times before, on John’s arm, so it’s no surprise when his dark eyes shine with a curious gleam.
Maybe because I was always drugged up and docile. Either way, I smile stiffly as he says, “Iris? You clean up well. I almost didn’t recognize you. Where’s John?”
I bristle at his words, but I’m not prepared for Bastion when he says in an icy tone, “Iris is mine. Any insult to her is an insult to me.”
Mine indeed, but did he just defend me in a seriously fucked-up way?
Castinetti raises a brow, his amusement gone but nods his head without comment. It’s surreal to see the head of a known mafia organization deferring to Bastion. Is he that powerful then?
How? It can’t be the name alone.
I guess I should’ve paid more attention when John was talking about the Bruno family. I’ve only heard snippets, but there’s far more to it if these guys are here because Bastion asked it.