Page 163 of Iris
“Running.”
“People over or…”
Her eyes glitter as she glares up at me. “The girl ran into me. Let me go.”
I don’t, just move her along. “And where were you going?”
“Maybe I’m running to Xavier.” Her snapped words fail to stick.
“That’s not how it works, brat. You know we come as a team, and you let us both mark you.”
“Sure you did,” she snarls.
I drag her with me as I traverse the streets I know well, leading her by alley and back street to Black Briar.
It’s getting busier. It’s always busy at night in the Lower Side, and while she’s covered, I don’t particularly want to expose her to anyone.
After all, I tell myself, she’s useful.
And mine.
Ours.
Like it or not, as much as I want to run from that fact I can’t. We claimed her, and until we want to rid ourselves of her, we’re stuck with her.
Xavier’s never letting her go.
“You danced with Alicia.”
I almost ask who the fuck that is and then I remember the blonde Omega from the ball who had desperation written all over her.
“Her? She was pathetic.”
She makes a small sound, but finds my hand and slips it into mine. “If you could do that, pretend to be society, then why not just present to the Councilwoman and plead your case yourself?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Seems like it to me.”
It isn’t, but I’m not about to tell her I took a risk doing that because of her, to try and save her from scandal. Because if things don’t change, our claim won’t stick, and my history isn’t one I want up for scrutiny from the Monarch. It’s not a matter of scandal hiding there. It’s Emmie. It’s our activities. One event I can get away with. No real official announcement and it’s been done where a passing Alpha attends.
If I could have spoken to Sophine…
But that didn’t happen.
“Looks,” I say, “are deceiving.”
“Are you both rich?” she asks.
I laugh. “I have money. Inherited, but…I don’t use Blackwater for a reason. The name died when my family did. You’ve read the Stitch by that gossip hound? My family died. A fire. Blah blah blah.” It hurts to say that. It hurts, but I do it. I have to. It’s the only way through the pain of losing Amelia.
She squeezes my hand. “Oh, Killian. I’m?—”
“It’s a long time ago. C’mon, this way.”
I take her down the back alleys leading to Black Briar. And almost like he knows we’re coming, Xavier’s outside, leaning against the wall, one boot resting on the brick, an unlit cigarette in his hand.
His gaze moves from me to settle on Iris.
