Page 58 of Forged in Rain

Nodding, I lean into him once more, relaxing into his embrace, and he rubs my shoulder until I fall into a light doze.

Chapter Ten

Iwake in the room alone once more and sit up groggily. My ankle is killing me because I slept at an awkward angle, but the pain is a reminder that I’m in deep shit, and Iris has cast me to the wolves.

Why, I don’t know—jealousy? Insanity?

All the above? What happened to the girl with a perpetual smile and penchant for adventure? I guess she’s still adventurous, although the circumstances are far grimmer.

With all of this, I don’t want to go home. I don’t trust her. What if she sends Jagger in, knowing I’m vulnerable?

What if it’s more nefarious than even that?

Fuck.

Pulling myself up wearily, I drop off in the bathroom and brush my teeth with my finger, acknowledging with a wry smile that at this point, I should have a damn toothbrush here.

Eyeing my puffy face in the mirror, I long for a shower and shrug because I’ve got bigger things to worry about and walk down the hall.

The guys speak softly in the kitchen, and I slow, leaning against the wall, unashamed to be eavesdropping. I know what Cyn said last night, but I’d be foolish to trust anyone, even if I want to trust him. I want him to be the guy who saves me, which is laughable because I have to save my damn self.

“She met up with Saul last night,” Cyn says grimly.

“What the hell is she up to?” Jig grumbles.

“I don’t know, but if she fucking puts Rain in the middle again . . .” Cyn says.

“Yeah, well, good luck convincing her not to get involved,” Bastion murmurs.

“She’d be stupid with Iris’ damn threats,” Cyn mutters before sighing. “We have to figure this out before it goes any further. If Jagger is really after money, and that’s it, we just need to find the money.”

“You think that’s it?” Bastion asks, “And does she know where the money is?”

“She doesn’t,” Cyn says.

“And you believe her?” Jig asks softly.

There’s a pregnant pause where I hold my breath because I want him to believe me so badly it’s a painful ache in my chest.

“I do,” he says, and I exhale in a quiet whoosh, warmth unfurling in my limbs.

“Even after everything?” Bastion says.

Frowning, I resist the urge to go in there and knock him around. Dick. Stop trying to talk him out of it.

“Yes. None of this makes sense, but I know Rain wouldn’t fucking take money that’s not hers.”

“How do you know?” Jig asks, and I pout because he’s supposed to be in my corner.

“Because that’s not who she is. Happy now?” Cyn sighs.

“That you’ve come to your senses? Yes,” Jig says.

“Whatever,” Cyn grumbles.

Closing my eyes briefly, I welcome the relief that makes me weak-kneed even as I caution myself to be careful. I trusted once and look what that got me: a host of pain and helplessness I never want to feel again.

But I’ve got to trust someone at least as far as getting out of this mess, and it clearly isn’t going to be Iris.

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