Page 10 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
Chapter Five
Anthony
Iris.My hands are on her skin and her weight is on my lap, reminding me that she’s still here. Still alive.
When she came down from our room, she looked so pale that I was afraid she’d faint. Why the hell would Dr. Young tell her she’s fine? She should’ve ordered at least a day’s bed rest.
I thought I heard Iris murmur something that sounded suspiciously like “sorry,” but I shake myself mentally. Why would she say that? She did nothing wrong. I’m the one who screwed up. Again.
She snuggles closer, her hands wrapped tightly around me, as though she can’t bear to be separated. I pull her tighter, because I also need to feel her presence as closely as possible. I keep being too late, arriving after she’s hurt, but somehow she thinks I’m a hero and clings to me like I’m an anchor keeping her safe. Gratitude that she doesn’t hate me for being a step too late wars with fear—that one day she’ll realize I keep failing her and despise me.
Just like Mother despises me for not protecting Katherine. Just like Father does for not fixing things at home almost a decade ago.
“Your assistant’s very nice,” Iris murmurs.
I almost smile. Everyone thinks he’s nice because he never shows them his other side. The glasses are fake—without prescription. He wears them to make himself appear even more harmless. But I’ve seen him fight. He’s an expert martial artist and doesn’t mind breaking a bone or two if necessary. “You should put his number in your phone.”
“Why?”
“You heard him. In case you need anything.”
“But he’s your assistant.”
“So? Everything I have is yours.” Including my shriveled, damaged heart.
“Are you going to tell me he’ll do whatever I need—no matter how insignificant?”
“Yes. But there’s more. I trust Wei and TJ with my life. It’ll make me feel less worried if I know you’ll always have somebody to make sure you’re all right.” Except it still isn’t enough. Not for me. Not anymore. I’m going to have to arrange for something more permanent ASAP.
Iris holds my hand in hers. “I’m never going near Sam again. And he’s not going to come anywhere near me or my friends.” She suddenly jerks up. “I need to call Julie and warn her. What if he’s already trying to do something to her to get to me?”
Of all the things for her to worry about.“I don’t think so. Sam’s an idiot, but he’s got a cockroach’s sense of self-preservation. And while Julie may be frivolous and spoiled, her family’s very protective of her. Sam is no match for the Pearce family, and he knows it.”
“But remember when he lied to Julie to get inside and grab my things? He doesn’t seem that scared of her or her family.”
Maybe not. Maybe Sam’s scared of something else more. He’s gone to great lengths to keep Iris hidden…then banish her from the States, using what meager power he has.
She gets up and calls Julie. I hear the one-sided conversation.
“Hi, Julie. No, I’m not… Oh. I don’t know.” Her gaze slides toward me briefly. “No, look, I just wanted to tell you that if Sam calls or tries to see you, don’t agree to it. No. He tried to make me leave again. Huh? No. I have no idea. Just promise to be careful. No. It’s…” She sighs. “He and I fought, and he pushed me into his pool.” Even I can hear the screech on the other end of the phone. “No, I’m fine. Tony saved me. Yeah. Of course. Of course. Okay, love you.” She hangs up.
“I see Julie didn’t take it well?”
“She thinks we should press charges for attempted murder.” Sadness shimmers in her gaze, and she quickly closes her eyes. “I… This hurts. I thought he cared about me in his own way.”
The only thing that fucker cares about is himself.But that isn’t what she needs to hear right now. I pull her back into my arms, willing the ugliness of the day to pass without leaving too many marks.
“Do you think…” She stops. “We should pack for our trip,” she says, her tone oddly flat.
This is a surprise. I actually had Wei cancel everything because I was certain she’d want to stay home. “Do you still want to go?”
“We should.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She bites her lip. “I don’t want what Sam did to have an effect on our plans. Plus, I know you’ve been looking forward to it.”
“It isn’t about me or Sam. I was looking forward to seeing you enjoy yourself.” I push tendrils of hair away from her forehead and cheeks. “If you can’t enjoy it, there’s no point.” I pull her closer, needing to feel her warm weight to remind myself—again—that she’s safe and in my arms. “And Napa isn’t going anywhere.”
