Page 30 of Iris' Lying Eyes

I did what I had to do to survive, but it doesn’t mean I don’t recognize my gross behavior. But I’ll never show this woman or anyone else my shame.

Smiling, I stand stiffly and say, “I understand.”

She merely nods, and I march to the front door with a weird pulse in my chest. I don’t belong here. I know I don’t. So why does it sting to know they won’t let me in?

∞∞∞

I have no destination in mind, just a feral need to be gone from this place and that woman.

One of Bastion’s men stands from his lean against the car when I appear, but I wave him off and head down the drive.

No point in belaboring the issue. Bastion’s otherwise occupied. Once I get far enough away from this house, I’ll hitchhike into town.

If his fucking troll doesn’t alert him, I’ll be gone before he knows to start looking.

I’m a block away from the mansion and looking around for a good mark when a sweet, red sports car with the top down stops beside me.

Inside is one of the women from before, and I smile sourly when she looks me over. This one stood toward the back and didn’t comment, but that doesn’t mean shit.

“Babs kicked you out?” She asks, batting long fake lashes.

She’s older than me but not middle-aged, with long bright blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s had work done, obvious to see in the plushness of her lips and bubbly tits.

“What?” I mutter, glancing around with a sigh. Of all the people to come along, it had to be one of them?

“Barbara Salvatore. She fancies herself in charge of keeping the women in line.”

Eyeing her speculatively, I murmur, “Hm.”

“C’mon, I’ll give you a ride.”

“Oh no, I’m fine.”

She raises a brow and glances at my four-inch heels. “Really? Hop in. I was you once. The old battle-ax kicked me to the curb. But she had to accept me later when I appeared with this on my finger.” She flashes a huge diamond ring and grins like a shark.

Wow. Okay.

I don’t see any other damn prospects on this secluded stretch of road. Which is why I nod and slide in beside her. I need the ride, but I’ll choose my words carefully.

“Where to?”

After rattling off an address, I study her for a moment as her hair whips in the wind.

“So, she let you back in? Because of that?” I point at her hand.

Nodding, she says, “Yep. She’s hated me ever since.”

“Why go? Why not, I don’t know, stay home?”

She shrugs, her mouth lifting in a smirk. “I go to support my husband. Plus, she hates it.”

“It’s that important to her?”

“She’s my mother-in-law,” she says, and I snort.

Her eyes twinkle, and I smile before pointing at the burger place coming up on the right. “Here is good.”

“Here?” When I nod, she pulls in and puts the vehicle in park. “I’m Selena. I look forward to seeing you around.”

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