Page 31 of Cyber
“Did you actually just agree with something I said?” He pressed his hand over his heart, his face slack with mock disbelief. “Is the world ending or am I just that damn charming?”
I swatted at him playfully, but I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me. He was charming, in his own way, damn him.
“So what's the plan?”
Laughing he stepped away, his eyes mischievous. “The plan is simple, Iris. I'm going to wine and dine you straight into my bed, and then I'm going to make you forget you ever hated me at all.”
16
cyber
Maybe it waswrong of me.
Maybe I was a damn selfish fool.
I wanted to be close to her, even if she did end up being my enemy. I couldn't bring myself to push her away. Not when I had finally got her back. It was more than just lust, although there was plenty of that simmering between us.
When it came to her, I felt the overwhelming urge to protect. It was a strange feeling for someone like me. I had gone through life caring as little as possible for the people who were in my life. Yes, I was loyal to my club brothers, and I had known Monster since we were both scrawny teenagers, so I was loyal to him as well. But Iris. I shouldn't have felt anything for her, especially once I knew she was up to something. But I just couldn't help myself.
It wasn't even the fact that she was the mother of my kid. No, Iris had been the image of my ideal woman since the moment I had seen her picture flash up on the internet years ago. She had been different to the women I usually attracted. Sweeter, more wholesome. I hadn't thought twice about getting on a plane and surprising her. She was different now, harder. Which wasn’t surprising. But I still saw glimpses of that girl.
The woman I hadn't been able to get out of my mind in all the years since.
Enemy of the club or not, it didn’t matter. I couldn't just shut off my feelings. It would be easier if I could.
I already knew she was going to do something stupid. Something that would make me choose between her and the club. Between her and my family. It was only a matter of time before it happened. The only thing I could do was stick as close to her as possible and try and stop her before she could go through with it.
Glancing up from beneath my eyelashes, I watched her. She was curled up on the sofa, her eyes awash with tears as she stared at the photo clutched in her hand. It had already started to curl up at the edges from where she handled it so much. Her one and only link to her daughter. Tearing my eyes away and back to the laptop on my lap, I let my fingers fly over the keys.
This was why I was there. Or at least it should have been. To find out where The Family was hiding Violet. Her daughter. No, my daughter as well. One that I hadn’t even known that I had. How things would have been different if I had known. I could have protected them both from the horrors that followed.
Coulda-woulda-shoulda.
It was easy to look back and think of the things I should have done differently. Hindsight was a wonderful thing, but there wasn't a damn thing I could do to change the past. I had to concentrate on the future. On reuniting Iris with Violet and keeping them both safe.
Even at the cost of my place in the club.
My mind just wouldn't shut up. The constant barrage of thoughts made it almost impossible to concentrate.
Slamming the lid of the laptop with enough force to make Iris’ head snap up, I sent her a rueful grin. “Want to get out of here? Grab some dinner?” I needed something to quieten the voices that wouldn't shut up in my head. Sex would be better, but food would help.
“I don't really want to leave Maggie again so soon.” She went back to looking at her photo, her face thoughtful.
“You don't have to worry about me dear.” As if by magic, Maggie appeared.in the doorway. The cane she was leaning on was new; it made her look older, more fragile. “I'm going to go and stay with Havoc and Darcie for a little while.” Her eyes met mine, and for the life of me I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me silently. “So you two will have the place to yourselves.” Those lined eyes narrowed. “Look after her, Cyber.” She wagged a finger in my direction, looking every bit the pissed off grandma. “I mean it, don't let anything happen to her.”
“I won't.” The promise came easy to me. I just hoped I could keep it.
“And bring that baby home soon. I need a grandbaby.”
“You have Havoc.”
She shook her head. “He's grown now, and a giant fool. This house needs giggles and toys, so bring her home, and make this old lady happy in her last years.”
Rolling my eyes, I stood to help her to her seat, my hand firm but gentle on her arm. “You're going to outlive us all, Maggie. And you know it.”
Sighing she gazed up at my face. “Most probably, knowing you lot. You don't have an ounce of common sense between you.” Her voice dipped to a whisper, her eyes flicking over my shoulder to Iris who was lost in a world of her own. “You do what's right by her, you hear?”
I nodded mutely. Yeah, I heard. And I wanted to. I just didn't know what the right thing to do was. “I'm trying.”
