Page 31 of Iris' Lying Eyes

“Ha. Probably not anywhere near that place,” I grumble.

She just smiles. “You never know.”

Once she’s gone, I cross the street and enter the bus depot, making a beeline for the lockers against the far wall.

Pulling the key, placed on a long chain that dangles between my breasts, I open the door and rifle through the bag inside.

Once I’ve confirmed no one is looking, I grab a stack of cash and shove it down my dress. It bulges through the thin material of my bra but beats walking around with wads of cash in my hand.

The next question is, where do I go? With my plans unraveling, I need to regroup.

I had hoped to use my secrets to threaten John, but that’s a bust now that my papers are at Jig’s cabin.

Bastion was a no before I ran into Roman, even if I toyed with the idea.

Either way, I can’t leave. I started this shit storm, and now I have to end it. Besides, being free means shit if I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.

The sick fuck thinks he can own me. For a while, I let him. But the time for that is over. He needs to die, and I’m going to be the one to orchestrate it.

The problem is, I can’t just waltz in. I have to be careful because if I fail, I’ll regret it for fucking ever.

But I can’t flush him out without putting a bug in his ear. I could go back. He’s more than likely at one of his places in town unless he’s at the cabin or the farm. If I can’t get someone else to do the dirty deed, then eventually, I’ll have to get past my abhorrence to go to him.

The thought makes my skin crawl. I’m hoping this showdown can take place anywhere but on his turf.

Standing on the sidewalk, I spot a rundown, piece-of-shit motel across the way and make a decision.

I have to hunker down somewhere while I figure this shit out, might as well be the Bates fucking Motel. But I have somewhere to be first.

Chapter Eight

With a groan, I settle before the railing and gaze out at the sparkling water. It’s a shame; it’s a beautiful spot but being here doesn’t bring me peace.

We used to party here, but that feels so long ago now. It’s like it happened to a whole other person.

“What a strange place to hang out.”

Spinning around, I cover my eyes as a guy I’ve never seen before approaches. I don’t think he went to my school because I’m pretty sure I would recognize him.

He’s tall, built like an MMA fighter, and dark as sin, from his black eyes to his dark hair. He smiles down at me, and I suppress a frown.

“Are you here to do the honors?” Although my tone is sarcastic, it wouldn’t surprise me. Eventually, I’m going to make my last play and find myself dead for it.

His eyebrows rise over his head before he laughs, and I blink.

“Not funny,” I mutter.

“No?” He says, sitting beside me and dangling his legs over the side.

Since he’s wearing a T-shirt cut off at the sleeves, I’m given a personal viewing of his pretty muscles as he settles in.

And they might be interesting if Bastion’s pythons didn’t outshine this guy’s on any day of the week.

When he turns his black eyes my way, I eye him warily. He’s about my age, maybe a little younger, but he exudes so much power just in his penetrating gaze that I suppress a shiver.

“Monkey balls,” I say and drop my gaze. Damn, but I miss Rain and the stupid shit we used to get up to.

He laughs again, and I frown, asking, “Seriously, who are you?”

---