Page 93 of Forged in Rain

“What did you say?” she demands.

“He approached me about the money.”

“Not possible. What did he say?”

She appears genuinely confused, but I’ve been snowed by her before, so . . .

“He said I owed him.” I sure hope I’m not making a mistake in confiding in Iris, but it’s not like I have a bunch of people waiting in line, and I need perspective from someone who knows more than I do.

“And he let you go?” Her eyes are wide, but more importantly, she’s suspicious.

Do I fully disclose? Fuck it.

“He sent me away, told me to figure out what John’s up to. If I do, he’ll forgive the debt.”

“Hmm.”

“What?” Shit. I’m fucking sweating.

“It’s not bad, but even if we find John, he’s not going to share his secrets with you.”

“I’m still hoping he’s dead. Iris, why would he say I owe him if you didn’t say it first?”

“I don’t know. I made that shit up.”

“Why?”

“I told you, to get rid of Cyn!” she growls, staring out the windshield with a furrowed brow.

“So why didn’t you just tell me to get rid of him?”

“Rain, people are watching all the time.”

“So, you what? Didn’t want anyone to know?”

She shakes her head, and I drop my eyes. If she’s scared and hiding behind half-truths and lies, what the fuck are we going to do?

“What were you doing in there anyway?” I ask, waving back toward the house we’ve left behind with a sigh.

“Checking on Saul, but he’s gone to ground. Either that or he’s dead.”

We drop into silence, and I mull over her words, wondering what’s the truth and what she wants me to hear. Unfortunately, I can’t decipher that either. Being in the dark is really fucking useless.

I don’t want to go to the Point but arguing will get me nowhere. I’m pretty sure Cyn is there with Shelby, and even if it’s all a show to protect his sister, or so I tell myself, it’s still like a knife in my back.

All too soon, Iris is parking in the clearing below the Point, and I glance around, relaxing when I don’t see the SUV, although the bigger part of me is disappointed. I crave to see him even as I dread the specter.

“Relax, she sent them on an errand,” Iris mutters, fixing her makeup in the mirror.

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?” I grumble.

“Because you need to figure out how to get used to this. It’s not going away.”

“After we graduate—”

“Ha! You think this will be over? This is just the beginning, Rain.”

“But I could go . . .”

---