Page 96 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
Chapter Thirty-Five
Anthony
It’s tempting to sit outside the bedroom door, my ear pressed against it to hear the conversation between Dr. Young and Iris. I’m desperate enough to stoop that low to find out what made Iris behave this way. But I’m also rational enough to know if I do that, she’ll never trust me or agree to be treated by the doctor at home again.
So I go downstairs. Bobbi’s in the kitchen, helping herself to another cup of coffee.
“What the hell happened?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Can’t tell you.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Iris doesn’t want me to.”
I press my lips tight to contain the ugly words I want to spew at her. The fear and frustration that have been accumulating and bubbling are ready to erupt like a volcano and destroy everything nearby. Instead, I press my fists against the cold counter and give her a level stare. “You work for me.”
“You’re paying me. There’s a difference.” Her voice is flat. “I’m not a spy. The second Iris thinks I am, she won’t trust me or listen to a thing I say. Then I won’t be able to do my job, and you’ll have to find someone else to watch over her.” She takes a small sip of coffee. “That what you want?”
Damn it. Bobbi’s right. And that is not what I want. I need to find out some other way. But first…
I call Wei. He answers instantly. “Boss?”
“I need the pool at my place ripped out.” I glare at the long, rectangular expanse of water outside. The image of Iris’s bloodless face and tormented eyes digs into my heart. No more. Iris is never going to try to torture herself like that again.
“I’m sorry, what?”
If this were any other time, I’d laugh. I’ve never heard Wei sound so blindsided.
To make sure he understands, I speak slowly. “I. Want. My. Pool. Ripped. Out.”
Bobbi gestures at me.
“Hold on, Wei.” I turn to her, pulling the phone away from my mouth. “What?”
“Don’t do that,” she says.
“You’re not a spy, fine. You’re also not a home improvement consultant.”
She sighs. “If Iris wants to jump into water, she’ll find a way. Wouldn’t you rather have her do it here than somewhere else next time?”
I begin to snarl that there won’t be a next time, but catch myself. That’s what I thought after I rescued Iris from Sam’s, too, but look what happened.
“The better idea would be to install a sensor that alerts you every time somebody’s on the deck. And a camera system to monitor it.”
She has a point. Unless I plan to rip out every pool and drain every lake and pond, what I’m thinking about doing to my home is a Band-Aid solution.
I return to my phone and tell Wei the new instructions.
He sounds relieved. “Getting rid of the pool would be bad.”
“Why?”
“Pools add value.”
For fuck’s sake.I’m this close to telling him nothing is more valuable than Iris’s health and safety, but I stop. He doesn’t know what happened. And as my assistant, it is his job to look out for me. “Thanks, Wei. Just get the sensor and camera stuff done ASAP.”
I go to the foyer to retrieve the jacket I tossed on the floor. I take the ring out of it and put it in the pocket of my shorts. As I drape the jacket on the back of a couch, Dr. Young finally comes downstairs. She’s frowning slightly.
