Page 15 of Iris
Don’t we all.
“Pretty!” Rue forgets her phone stealing as she reaches for the flowers. “Is Reece your boyfriend?”
“He’s one of the Delta servants that Stephan’s aunt sent us,” I mutter, taking back my phone. “Don’t you start any rumors.”
“Iris!” Heath thunders. “Don’t make me go up there.”
“Lord,” I say, tucking my phone away. “I’ll be back.”
I walk down the stairs, deliberately taking my time. Okay, so I rebuffed two dates and a request for a dance come the next ball, so what? At least I didn’t embarrass anyone. And I could have. Easily.
I don’t knock on the office door, just push in. Heath’s leaning against his desk.
“You took your time. You’ll have to work on your tardiness, Iris.”
He doesn’t sound annoyed or angry.
I start to frown. “Why? I’ve nowhere to be, and you and Mom are the ones who ferry me to the stupid balls.”
That earns a flicker of ire.
“For your meeting, Iris.”
“Meeting?” Now I’m really confused.
He nods. “The meeting.”
“I have a meeting?” As I speak, dread starts to spread cold fingers over me.
“Yes, with the Monarch.” Heath smiles. “Congratulations, Iris. You’re on your way to becoming Luxe.”
“I don’t want to be Luxe,” I say in horror.
“She’s not that stupid to pick you,” he says. Rudely. “But this is good. Very good. You’re going to be one of the important Omegas this Season. You’ll be watched, revered, and have your pick of suitors.”
“But…”
“You don’t have a say in this,” he says. “Maybe call Violet and tell her the good news.”
Crap. I stalk out.
How the fuck did this happen?
CHAPTER
FIVE
Killian
The little owl figurine is clutched tight in Emmie’s chubby fingers when I get in the doors of Black Briar.
I don’t like being away from her, so I normally keep business trips to a minimum. But this one was important. Enough that it took me back to the mainland for two days. I fucking hate the mainland. A place where my family, my sister?—
I stop.
Business is business, and while Xavier has his own charm, he isn’t me, isn’t silver tongued or able to hide his true feelings.
Women want him, sure. Just like they want me. But with business? Cutting deals? It’s me, baby, all the way.
