Page 17 of Cyber
“Stop looking at me like that, Cyber.”
“Like what?” I took another step towards her.
“Like that…'' She waved her hands wildly. “Like I am your property and...”
“Wearing that kind of gives my brothers that impression, Iris.”
“Then I’ll take it off. Does wearing Darcie’s clothes make me hers as well? Or maybe that means I'm Havoc’s? Maybe you would prefer it if I just walked around fucking naked like one of the club whores. Is that what you want, Cyber? For me to be a whore again? To belong to y-”
I didn’t let her finish the words. Stepping into her space, I closed my hands over hers where they were curled around the shirt.
“That isn't what I meant, and you know it. You're not a whore, and you aren't like the club girls.” Breathing in the scent of her hair was distracting as hell. All I could think of was pressing her against my body and exploring every inch of her, showing her what sex was meant be like, and watching her succumb to the pleasure I was more than willing to give her. “You belong to no one but yourself, Iris. Not me, and definitely not anyone else in this club. But there's one thing we should get straight,” I waited until she met my eyes, “when you are with people who can see you, you will wear my clothes. That's not a request, it's an order. I trust everyone in here with my life, but they...”
“You say you trust them, but every word out of your mouth tells me you don't. Or is it maybe that you don't trust yourself?”
I pressed her backwards, my hands slipping around her waist. I trapped her between the work top and my bulk, pushing my straining cock against her belly. She sucked in a breath, her eyes impossibly wide as she stared up at me.
“I want to kiss you, Iris. I want to do things to you that would leave you screaming after everything you have been through. Every time I see your damn face, it's like going back in time to the first time I saw you. You are too damn tempting to me.”
“Because when you see me, you see the girl I used to be?”
I didn’t answer her. “Which is why I am going to ask someone else to be put on your detail. I won't go against my president's orders again, Iris. I've already fucked up too much. So, I am going to ask Fang to assign someone else to you and for you to be taken back to Maggie’s.” I turned away from her, my hand smoothing over my cleanly shaven head.
“You aren't going to help me find Violet?” Her words wobbled.
“I’ll find your daughter, Iris. But it's not healthy for either of us to be around each other alone. Do you want me to ask for anyone in particular to be assigned to you?”
“Monster seems nice.”
“Yeah, thought you might go for the golden boy.” My words dripped with bitterness. “I'll talk to Fang and make it happen.”
“Cyber?”
I peered around the two club girls who were crowding on either side of me, to stare up at Monster’s face. He looked back at me, unblinking.
“Me and Iris are leaving now.” He didn't even try to keep the judgement out of his voice. My eyes slid past him to Iris standing in the doorway. She was wearing a much too large jacket over her borrowed clothes.
Her face twisted in pain when she saw me sitting there with two girls all over me. I didn't want to cause her any more pain. But what I was doing was for the best. I needed to step away from her. Even after one day, I was already too close, and it wasn't healthy for her. I wasn't healthy for her. Causing her a little pain now was better than a whole heap of pain in the future.
“Any problems, call me.” I ran my hand up the brunette’s leg, and Iris’ lips thinned. I was an asshole, but even for me that was low. I just didn't see any other option. “Bye, Iris.” I raised a hand in a small wave before curling it into the girl's hair. “It's been good seeing you again.”
She didn't answer me, she just hung her head and something snapped in my chest as I watched her shoulders start to shake.
Yeah, I was a total asshole.
“Take care of her for me, brother,” I whispered. I knew he would. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. And he wouldn't fall in love with her either. Monster didn’t love. He was incapable of it. But he was loyal to those he thought were worthy of it. And he thought Iris was worthy. So did I. I needed someone to watch out for her without having any ulterior motive.
“You should be taking care of her yourself, Cyber,” he hissed back, his face set in furious lines. “You’re a damn fool if you let her walk out of here without you by her side.” His blue eyes met mine. “And you will regret it.”
I probably would. But not as much as I would regret having to give her up again if I got too close.
“Come on, Iris, let's get on the road.”
I watched them leave, walking side by side but not touching. My best friend and the only woman I had ever cared about.
I knew I would regret it.
I already did.
