Page 142 of Daddy Sees Snakes

The words hang in the air, stark and brutal.

My mind reels, desperately trying to process what Candy's saying.

But as I lie there, feeling the cold floor against my bare skin and the dull ache between my thighs, reality comes crashing down.

Memories flood back in a sickening rush. Lyon's face, twisted with rage.

His hands on me, rough and violent.

The sharp pain as he backhanded me, stumbling and falling on the floor, his hands wrapped around my neck.

Then... darkness.

"Lyon," I choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "He came into the club. He attacked me. And... and..." I can't bring myself to say the words, but the horrified understanding in their eyes tells me I don't need to.

Nausea roils in my stomach as the full realization hits me.

Lyon raped me.

The thought loops in my head, each repetition bringing a fresh wave of revulsion and shame.

A small, detached part of my brain notes with bitter irony that at least I wasn't conscious for the act itself.

"That motherfucker," Viper growls, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'll kill him."

"Viper," Rosa warns, but her own eyes are blazing with fury.

I try to push myself up, wanting to appear stronger than I feel, but a sharp pain lances through my back.

I cry out, collapsing back onto the floor.

"Don't move, honey," Candy says, her hand gentle on my shoulder. "We need to get you to a hospital."

The thought of more strangers seeing me like this, touching me, examining me... it's almost too much to bear.

But I know she's right. I nod weakly, fighting back tears.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, though I'm not sure who I'm apologizing to.

Maybe to all of them. Maybe to myself.

Rosa leans in, her voice fierce but kind. "This is not your fault, Iris. You hear me? None of this is on you."

I want to believe her.

God, I want to believe her so badly.

But shame and self-doubt claw at me, insidious voices whispering that I should have been stronger, smarter, on alert.

As Viper calls for an ambulance, I close my eyes, trying to shut out the world.

As he pulls out his phone, I close my eyes, fighting another wave of tears.

I should be stronger than this.

I'm Iris fucking Ashton.

I've dealt with asshole exes and creepy clients.

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