Page 131 of Iris' Lying Eyes

His green eyes narrow to slits, and I swallow under his scrutiny, a trickle of sweat gliding down my spine. “Please,” I say again.

“You care for that boy,” he says.

I look away from his penetrating gaze and shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

And it doesn’t because I’ve lost this game, I’ve lost them all. What a fool I’ve been. I can’t win. I can’t escape.

I’m a broken fucking doll.

He taps his wrist and I cringe at the familiar action, releasing my breath with a sob.

His brows rise before he says, “True. You see, daughter, the greatest lesson I can teach you is to never let emotions get in the way.”

I can’t help the twist to my lips because his empty fucking words are meaningless. And I cry out when he grabs my arm, spitting, “You thought to turn on me? Your own flesh and blood?”

Summoning a look of shock which isn’t far off since I am surprised, I croak, “What do you mean?”

“Please,” he grunts, pushing me away. “You think you can outmaneuver me? I’m the fucking master. Where’s the girl, Iris?”

Oh, fuck. I guess Ramsay has done his part, but that was really damn quick.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. If she’s gone, it’s because they—”

His hand flies toward my cheek, and I stumble away. The skin burns but not more than the fire in my veins. This dick thinks he can take. Well, I’m tired of giving.

Fuck him. Fuck them all.

“You come at me with excuses about blood, but you left me to the wolves,” I hiss. “For what? Petty revenge? Look around you. You’re cut off from your own damn family.”

Grunting, he sets about pacing in front of me, and I back away, sliding a glance toward the door.

“You think this means anything to me?” He waves his hand. “I’m a fucking god, Iris. I make my own power.”

Looney tunes. My bio dad is fucking looney tunes. What was my mother thinking?

“Enough. I helped you. You help me.” He licks his lips and claps his hands like a five-year-old with promises of candy.

“You didn’t help me,” I rasp. “You did nothing.”

He rushes me, and I fall back before sliding out from under him. His bright blue eyes are feverish when he says, “I told you I’d find her. Didn’t I?”

Her. My blood runs cold, and I grab the couch at my back. Shit. Baby girl?

“Wh-what?” All I needed was a little more time, just a little, but of course, he knew.

For all his crazy, he’s been one step ahead of me since he appeared out of nowhere and offered me sweet lies.

“I told you I would. Now I want mine,” he says.

“Why? Can you at least tell me that?”

“Iris?” Swinging around, I meet Bastion’s stare and shake my head wildly.

No. Fucking no.

Grabbing Finnen’s arm, I babble, “I’ll give you anything. Anything!”

“Iris,” Bastion says again, pulling me away but I wrench from his grasp, desperation circling my soul.

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