Page 74 of Iris' Lying Eyes

After that, he seems to make a point of introducing me to people I’ve never heard of before but are clearly part of the upper crust of society. I’ve never seen such displays of wealth, much less in one place.

What doesn’t change is the hungry expressions hidden behind sophisticated smiles and fancy clothes.

Soon I grow bored with the game, and judging by the scowl on Bastion’s face, he feels the same. However, he continues to grunt at people as they come by.

I’m shifting on my four-inch heels when I glance across the way. And who do I spy? Senator fucking Harrison.

Side eyeing Bastion, I frown. Is this why we’re here?

Fucker. I know he said straight from his mouth that I’m the bait, but still, fuck me.

The senator is standing with a beautiful but icy woman who I surmise to be his wife. He hasn’t noticed me, and I’m hoping somehow, I’ll get through the night keeping it that way.

My wish is quickly shot down, though, when he looks my way, and I meet his stone-cold gaze. His eyes widen before they narrow, and I muster a carefree smile, but my heart is clenched so tightly in my chest that I can’t fucking breathe.

Shit. Senator Harrison is a machine, and he knows that I know his dirtiest secret.

“Come,” Bastion says, and I follow dumbly behind him.

The good senator probably never figured on seeing me in his territory. What happens now?

Can Bastion protect me from the man who has drinks with the president of the United States of America?

Does he even want to? I wasn’t lying. Taking on something of this magnitude is going to push people from hiding places that no one wants to confront. But Bastion and his fucking friends clearly think they’re invincible.

Bastion leads me to a table toward a wall of flowers, but I can’t enjoy the sweet smell as I collapse in the seat, staring at the china blindly.

I’m seriously fucked, but what can I do?

Maybe I should reveal all with the promise that Sam will be cared for by the best. But what about Baby Girl? Will John’s vendetta die with me? I suppose I could go out knowing I did that.

Assuming I would live through what I’ve learned and yes, even participated in, was arrogant.

With a small sigh, I sip the champagne placed before me, only looking up when someone says my name.

“Iris?”

Pulling out a chair across from us is Harry Parker, John’s former pastor. Once upon a time, I fucked him. Why? Because I hoped he would help me be free of John, but all he did was take what he wanted and send me back to my nightmare with a pat on the head.

So much for being a Christian.

Lifting my lips in a wan smile, I watch his wife beam at the table’s patrons. Her eyes crease at the corners, and her rosy cheeks are flushed. Although she’s showing her age in the lines around her mouth, she still holds beauty in her kind smile.

Harry parks his ass in his seat with an uneasy grin and says, “Darling, you remember Iris? John’s daughter?”

Her eyes land on mine, and the glow fades, leading me to believe she’s already heard about me. Whatever. Judge all you want, bitch, your husband fucked an underage teenager and refused to rescue her even after the deed was done.

“Ah yes . . . Iris. So sorry to hear about your mother,” she murmurs.

Inclining my head, I eye her icily, but she returns my stare with a glint in her eyes. My cheek tingles and I turn my head, meeting Bastion’s gaze, dark with warning.

Behave. Whatever, I’ll behave when this bitch does.

“Iris.” Silently sighing, I turn to greet the newcomer, sure it’s another ghost from my past, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see Serena.

She sits down next to me, her blonde hair brushing my shoulder. I admire her siren red dress as she turns to me with a wide smile. “Well, any more run-ins with Babs?”

“Serena,” the man beside her says with a stern look, but she just waves him off with a grin.

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