Page 71 of Forged in Rain

Obviously, I’d like to know more about the possibility of Iris and Cyn, but I set it aside because it’s not relevant, and I have to pick a lane. For now, I choose to accept what Cyn is saying, even if the notion claws at my aching stomach.

He huffs, searching my eyes, but when I glare back at him coolly, he drops his gaze. Fucker.

“I heard Iris’ dad is missing.”

“Stepdad, and you know this—how?” I press my slick palms to my jeans, running them down the fabric. What does Rand know? I know Iris fucked him, but did she tell him her plan?

“I just do.” He clamps his mouth shut and turns away, effectively ending the conversation. I consider pushing it but let it slide for now. There’s nothing I can do, and if Cyn wants to know, he’ll have the information quickly enough. Nobody says no to Cyn.

Of course, Cyn is waiting for me just outside the door after class, and I glance back at my peers exiting behind me to suss out the informant, but nobody looks appropriately guilty.

Cyn’s brows are scrunched over his eyes, and before he can begin his lecture, I say quickly, “Not here.”

He searches my gaze and nods before pulling me through the masses and into the same broom closet we met within not so long ago. Bemused, I glance around before eyeing Cyn warily when he says, “Spill.”

“Rand said you’re the one who knocked up Iris, and he knows that John is missing.”

Cyn blinks before he turns away and for a moment, I’m so caught up in the possibility he truly was the one who impregnated Iris that I falter. Surely not, Rand’s a lying pig but when Cyn slams his fist against the wall, my lungs seize.

“Fuck,” Cyn growls, and I grab my knees, gasping for air.

Holy fuck, beyond the lie, this shouldn’t matter because it was long before me, but the thought creates an ache so vast I can’t physically move for it.

“This is—Rain?”

Cyn grabs my chin, but I pull away roughly and face the wall, searching for calm, but it’s long gone. I want to punch him in his fucking face, but I can’t.

“Rain, we’ll figure this out. Rand—”

Laughing bitterly, I slash my hand through the air. “Why couldn’t you just say it? Iris—”

“What about Iris? She fucked half the school. We need to focus on Rand.”

Blindly, I stare at him before his words penetrate. “So, you’re not . . .”

“I’m not what?” He cocks his head to the side before his brows slam over his eyes. “This again? I didn’t fucking sleep with Iris.”

Searching his gaze, I sag, catching the sob welling in my throat. I’m fucking ruined because this moody, controlling asshat has me tied up in knots. I love him. Now what?

I’m not sure he knows what the meaning of the word is. Am I supposed to be content with his weird obsession?

“Beauty?” He pulls me around and into his arms, frowning at me harshly. “I’m done with this. I’ve never touched your cousin.”

“Okay,” I whisper, burying my face in his chest.

But he grabs my chin and pulls me up, searching my eyes. “What?”

Shaking my head, I try to pull away, but he gives me no room to breathe as usual. “Beauty?”

With a frown at the warning in his tone, I drop my eyes to his chest and say softly, “I was jealous.”

He tightens his hold, and I shiver, glancing at his face when I feel his dick harden against my stomach.

His eyes are fiery, and he slowly smirks. “Good.”

“Good? This isn’t good! I’m fucking crazy. I lo—”

Slamming my hand over my mouth, I shake my head, and he cocks his to the side, his curious gaze burning through me. “What?”