Page 15 of Cyber
Without thinking, I gathered up the nearest bottles, clutching them to my chest. Moving into the room, I bent to pick up a glass that had fallen to the floor and my eyes locked on Cyber. He was asleep, his full lips slightly parted as he snored softly. There was a girl asleep with her head on his lap. A beautiful young thing with hair like caramel.
It all became clear in an instant. This was the reason he hadn’t come back to the room. He had been too busy with her.
Was she important to him? Someone special that no one had told me about?
“She's just a club girl, Iris.”
Startled, I straightened, searching around for whoever had spoken to me. Someone who knew my name.
“Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.” A man stretched, his back cracking. One glance at his face and I knew I didn’t know him. He knew me though; he had used my name.
“It's ok.”
I backed away a step, and the wide grin on his face slipped slightly.
“I just didn't want you to think that there was something going on there.” He motioned to Cyber’s snoring form. “There isn’t. I’m Monster by the way. Cyber’s brother.” He didn't hold out his hand for me to shake, he just waited and watched me with his baby blue eyes.
My eyes flicked to Cyber and then back, and my eyebrows arched up into my hairline. Brothers? They didn't look like brothers. Cyber was massively built, his colouring darker. Whereas this newcomer was slimmer, with hair that looked like it had been sun kissed for many years. Both were handsome men. But they were total opposites.
Catching my look, he smiled again. “Not by blood. But we grew up in the system together. Cyber protected me until I learnt to protect myself. And then we just looked out for each other. We have been looking out for each other ever since.”
“Ok.” I didn't know quite what I was meant to say. I had just wanted to clean up and keep busy. Not stroll down memory lane with Cyber's oldest friend.
“He's told me all about you, Iris.”
Freezing, I glanced at Cyber’s form. He looked younger when he was asleep. Softer. Like the hardness of his life had dropped away.
“That’s nice,” I finally said. I couldn't keep having those moments of softness towards him. Hating him was what had kept me alive. “I’m sure Fang has told everyone my situation by now.” My words came out more bitter than I meant them.
“Fang doesn't tell me shit. He doesn’t think I can be trusted totally.” Monster winked playfully. “He thinks I'm too much of a loose cannon, and he's probably right.” He shrugged. “I’m talking about Cyber. Back before you two had officially met, he used to talk about you. I don't think he even meant to, and it wasn't the bullshit he would spout to the others to make himself look like a player, either. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, and I can see I am. So, how about I wake up some of these lazy bitches and we can grab some breakfast?”
“I would rather do it myself, I like keeping busy.”
“That's fine as well. I can help you. It will be quicker with two of us. And then breakfast. There's just something about drinking Scotch that makes me ravenous the next day.” He chuckled. “You know what I mean?”
“I haven't drunk for a very long time...not to be social, anyway.” The words left my mouth in a rush. “Sometimes in the beginning they used to drug the wine they gave me. I would wake up and find some...” My words trailed off. What the hell had gotten into me? Why was I telling this complete stranger things I had never told anyone else? “Well, anyway, after that I stopped drinking the wine. I had so little control that I couldn't bear to give away any more of it.”
Monster nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. I really do. But if you ever want to take up drinking scotch just so I don't have to suffer alone the next morning, I’ll teach you.” His eyes crinkled. “And I promise, you won't wake up in bed with anyone. I will be your own personal guard dog.”
“I don't know what to say. Thanks, I think.” To my side, Cyber stirred, grumbling, but not opening his eyes.
“Anyone who is important to Cyber is important to me. Now let's leave sleeping beauty alone and get some food in me before I die.”
I giggled. I didn't know what it was about Monster, or even why he had such a name, but there was something about him that put me at ease.
“Lead the way to the kitchen, and I’ll see what I can do about cooking you something.”
8
cyber
My eyes were stuck togetherwith sleep as I pushed the sleeping club girl off my lap; she slid onto the floor with a moan. I wasn't sure when we had all passed out, but it felt like only a few minutes had passed. My brain was foggy and my mouth felt like the damn Sahara Desert it was so dry.
Not even the tantalising smell of frying meat was enough to flood it with saliva. But, damn, something smelt good.
Pushing myself upwards, I cracked my back, turning towards the door that led to the kitchen. Someone was cooking up a storm in there. Something that almost never happened. The club girls were usually in charge of breakfast, and none of them could cook worth a damn.
The room was only half full of sleeping bodies, and there wasn't a glass or bottle in sight.
