Page 77 of Iris' Lying Eyes

“You know McCafferty?” Bastion growls, and my back goes up.

My only response is to shrug. Hell, I don’t even know what to say.

Diem raises a brow. “I’m hurt. After everything we’ve shared.”

Bastion wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close, nuzzling my ear to say, “You fucked McCafferty’s nephew? For what?”

Although I shiver at the contact, my spine is crawling. I can lie. I have to lie, but the notion leaves me cold. To Bastion, I’ll always be the whore he believes of me. But as always, there’s too much on the line to allow even this simple truth free.

Everything leads back to the beginning, and I’m not willing for Bastion to reach the conclusions that I’ve spent years hiding.

Swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth, I ignore him and say, “We were just leaving.”

Diem’s eyes drop to Bastion’s arm, and he sighs. “Don’t be a stranger, hm? We have some catching up to do.”

His tone oozes playful innuendo, and Bastion falls for it, as I assume is the goal.

“Iris is busy.”

His gruff tone brooks no argument, and Diem smiles with all his teeth. “We’ll see.”

With that, he disappears into the crowd, and Bastion pulls me from the building.

As soon as we’re in the car, he barks, “What was that?”

Gazing at my cuticles, I murmur, “What?”

Grabbing my hand, he says, “Diem Fucking McCafferty?”

Here it comes. The interrogation. Fuck you, Diem.

“Relax,” I snap. “It was a long time ago. I was desperate. You know that.”

“You fucked him to off John?” His skeptical tone brings my head up, and I turn my burgeoning frown into a careless smile.

“What else?”

“I don’t know, but I think you’re fucking lying. No more lies, Iris. Or do I have to remind you of that boy?”

Wrenching my arm away, I hiss, “I should’ve stayed with John. At least he didn’t hide his cruelty behind stupid excuses.”

Bastion’s eyes widen before he leans into my face and says, “The only thing you respond to is threats. Or maybe I need to make you lick my fucking shoes?”

We stare at each other for what feels like a lifetime before he raps on the window. The car swerves before stopping abruptly, and Bastion flies from the car, closing the door in my face.

Incredulously, I stare before turning away. It’s just as well. I was close to clawing the dark look right off his fucking face.

∞∞∞

I’m crawling into bed with a tired sigh when the asshole texts me.

Tiny-Dicked-Ex: Any news?

Iris: Yeah, you’re a dick head

Diem: Aww. You mad?

Iris: You knew I’d be questioned after you pulled a stunt like that

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