Page 35 of Cyber
Sometimes I hated how easily he could read me.
“Why the hell didn't you…?”
I didn't let him finish. “Because I don't want her to get her hopes up. It's just a lead and...'' I trailed off, a shrug moving my shoulders.
“You don't want to hurt her.” It wasn't a question; it was a statement. I swore softly, my eyebrows bunching together.
“She's been through enough.”
Monster let out a low chuckle. “And you are fucking in love with her.”
Blinking at him in shock, I scowled. “I'm not in love with her.” The very idea was stupid. “I don't even know her.” I added lamely. But that wasn't exactly true. I knew she needed someone to look after her. I knew she needed to catch a break, and I sure as hell knew that the attraction between us was off the damn charts. But love?
“My bad.” He held up his hands in mock surrender. “You're in love with the thought of her.”
My frown deepened. That was even worse. Mainly because he could well be right. I liked Iris, I had liked her for years, but… I shook the thought away. What he was saying was even more stupid than me being in love with her.
I liked Iris for the woman she was now. The one who had been through so much and was still fighting.
“She’s a fighter, I respect that,” I said lamely. It was more than that though. I knew it even when I didn't want to admit it to myself.
“And sexy as hell.”
My eyes snapped to his face.
“Sorry, I meant beautiful. Nah…” He laughed again. “I meant sexy as hell. There's something hot about a strong, gorgeous woman, you know?”
“What the fuck do you mean by that?” I didn’t try to keep the rising anger out of my voice. “You like Iris?”
“What's not to like?” His lips curved at the corners.
“Just how close did you get when you were keeping an eye on her?” Jealousy raged through me. Monster was my oldest friend. Someone who I had thought would have my back through thick and thin, and Iris was...well, Iris.
“We became friends, brother. Nothing more. I mean if you don't want her, I will gladly step up to look after her but…”
Hunching my shoulders, I clenched my hands into fists at my side. His eyes darted down to them instantly, and his smile grew into a full-blown grin.
“I mean you don't have feelings for her or anything. You just want her happy and looked after, right?” He smirked. “I can do that.”
Son of a bitch had played me. He had drawn my feelings out without even trying. “Fuck you,” I muttered, the tension draining from me. A weight lifted that I hadn’t even realised was there.
“Glad I could be of help, brother.” The smile on his tanned face slipped lightly. “What are you going to do if Fang…?”
“One, how do you know about that?” Not that I was surprised about the things Monster knew. He had a way of finding things out. “And two, I'm not going to let anything happen to her.” The moment I said it, I knew it was the truth.
“You would go against the club for her?” There was a note of scepticism in his voice. “Shit, you must really like her.”
“Maybe, but she's my kid’s mom.” Like that made any difference. Even if she hadn't been, I was pretty sure I would take her side.
“Fang will kill you both if she makes a move on him.”
“I know. Which is why I'm not going to let that happen.” Lifting my eyes, I met his. “We are going to get that little girl back, and then she's leaving. I'm getting her on a damn plane.”
Monster drew himself up to his full height. “You're letting her go? What the fuck is wrong with you? You have literally just admitted that you love her, and now you want rid of her?”
“I don't want rid of her. I want them both safe. There's a difference. Which is where you come in. If something happens to me, I need you to get them out and set up somewhere new.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you, Cyber.” Monster’s eyes narrowed. “What the fuck are you planning? Some heroic shit where you end up in the ground?”
