Page 43 of Stealing Iris

“Okay, then.” Tino pulls a weapon from inside his coat and another from his back. Fear claws at me as the walls close in.

Reality crashes down around me. What will Conny do if he finds me gone? What if he trashes the house?

“I need to get my phone.” I try pulling away, but Dante tightens his arms around me and keeps moving.

“We can replace it,” he assures me.

“No, please.” I shift, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. Releasing an exasperated breath, he loosens his hold.

Tino flips the light switch and frowns. “Power’s out. Must be the storm.”

My face flames, even in the darkness. “No, I haven’t had electricity in a while.” They both stare at me. Taking the opportunity, I slip out of Dante’s arms and rush down the hall to my room. I snatch up the phone, holding it to my chest then hurry back to find them exchanging words quietly.

“I’ll pull the car into the drive.” Dante puts an arm around me, crushing me to him for a kiss before he strides away.

Tino and I stay by the door. “You okay?” he asks, without taking his gaze off the surroundings.

“Yes.” Somehow I manage to get the single word past the lump in my throat. Seconds tick by. “You were outside?”

“Down the street.”

“Why?” My heart is thundering away in my chest.

“You’re important to him.” He scans the entire backyard, stopping an extra second at the extension on the carport.

“I don’t know about that.” I can’t assume anything.

Tino does that inch-by-inch turn to face me. “The guy went out in a storm, putting himself in danger of being ambushed, to keep you safe. If you knew what kind of a selfish son of a bitch he’s become over the years, you’d understand just how important you are.”

Tears prick the back of my eyes. No words can explain how humbling this moment is for someone in my situation.

I’m glad I can spend tonight with him. Conny isn’t going to let me go without a fight, and I have no idea how Dante will react to my story. The best I can do is figure out a plan to run, and with any luck, Dante will help me get away. At least I’ll have a handful of memories to help me get through wherever life leads me after that.

*****

CONRADO

“He’s there, dude,” Iz blurts out with urgency. “He’s there.” Like I don’t fuckin’ see his ride up ahead. “What’s Dante doing at Iris’s house?”

“The bitch double-crossed me.” It pisses me off even more that I have to spell it out for him between clenched teeth.

“You think so?” Iz’s eyes shoot open, like he can’t believe what I said.

“How else is he gonna be there?” I spit back.

“You think she gave it up?” he asks quietly, dragging his palms down his pants leg.

“How the fuck would I know if they’re fucking?” If Dante’s at her house now, he isn’t gonna stop at a blow. And if she did give it up, I can kiss that dime goodbye. “Fuck!” I slam my fist against the steering wheel over and over. The bitch really did set me up. She’s been out to get me since the beginning. I grab the wheel, just to have something to squeeze. Iris didn’t just set me up, she stole my score. She figures I can’t touch her if she’s with Dante.

“If they’ve been hooking up…what if she told him about this afternoon?” Iz bites at his thumbnail.

Iz has a point. And it all fits with what I’m thinking. If she’s got Dante, he’s gonna be batshit pissed about this afternoon. He’s got no right because that pussy was mine to begin with, but he ain’t gonna see it that way.

“You think she told him what we did?”

“If she did, we’re blown.” I hit the gas, just in case. The worst part about this is losing my chance with Dante. I take the turn with screeching tires as I drift the POS I’m driving. Whatever. A couple of blocks and I’ll be outta here. That’s all that matters.

“So what happens now?” Iz’s voice is shaky. He probably knows we’re in a bad spot but can’t figure it out how it ends. He’s also annoying the fuck outta me.

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