Page 47 of Iris' Lying Eyes

Chapter Ten

Back at the house, Bastion stalks away once more. Letting him go, I trudge tiredly up the stairs, only to pause when I find Roman waiting for me by the bedroom door.

If he’s here, does that mean it wasn’t him in the lot? Could be unless he came straight home.

He’s leaning against the wall, and I stop, staring at him cautiously. He’s a wild card, and while I don’t think he would do anything with Bastion here, I can’t be certain.

He smiles humorlessly and approaches, circling me like a fucking wolf. I suppress the urge to shrink at his penetrating gaze, but my skin erupts in goosebumps anyway.

“Here’s the deal,” he says, picking up a lock of my hair, now around my shoulders.

Rubbing it between his fingers, he tugs, and I bare my teeth in a snarl.

Our eyes lock, and I know, I just fucking know, I’m fucked.

His lips curl in a smirk, but his eyes are a wasteland. Without further urging, I attempt to slide away.

But he grabs my arm and leans down until we’re face to face. “The next time I get you alone, I’m going to dump you in the trunk of my car and take you out to the cabin. I’ll give you a fighting chance, but when I’m done, you’re going to wish you were never born.”

“I already wish I didn’t exist. Your pathetic threats don’t mean shit,” I hiss.

His eyes darken as he smiles wider, the affectation making my spine crawl. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you. It would seem John didn’t do his job.”

“John couldn’t do shit, and neither can you. You’re a sick fuck. Stay away from me.”

“Or what? You gonna tattle? I think not because you know I won’t hesitate. That stupid retard won’t know what hit him.”

“Fuck you,” I screech, swinging my fist at his face. How dare he even mention Sam.

He grabs my hand, and I wince but meet his gaze stoically. I hate him. I hate all of them.

Sucking in a breath, I say between my teeth, “Touch him, and I swear to God, I will end you.”

He slams his palm against the wall by my head and breathes into my ear, “I know you have something to do with that girl. Fine, play your game, but if you come between me and mine? I’ll hunt down everyone you ever cared about.”

I suppress a flinch when he pushes away from the wall and leans in, his black eyes boring into mine. “They don’t call me the hunter for nothing.”

I can’t speak for the roar in my ears, and stalking to the room, I slam the door behind me before sliding to the ground.

Roman won’t hesitate to follow through on his threats. He’s not using them to keep me in line like John, which means if I don’t act quickly, I’m fucked.

But what do I do?

The door opens behind me, and I stagger away, watching warily as Bastion steps through. He’s holding a bag and points to the bed before saying, “Sit.”

“Why?” I ask, glancing at the bag.

Sighing, he shows me the first aid symbol and says, “Sit the fuck down.”

Scoffing, I turn away but comply. I’m too fucking tired to fight.

He sets the bag on the bed beside me and disappears into the bathroom. When he emerges, I watch wide-eyed as he proceeds to gently wipe my face clean before he pulls out a bottle of shit from the bag and douses a cotton ball.

My heart does a somersault when he carefully applies it to my abraded skin, and I close my eyes to block out his expression.

I can’t remember the last time someone tended to me, and the effort is melting the ice around my frozen heart.

But I remind myself of his words earlier about not caring and open my eyes when he says gruffly, “Done.”

---