Page 50 of Cyber
I didn’t let her finish, at the bottom of the steps, I crushed her to my chest. I did it violently and she caught herself with both her hands on my chest, on my cut.
“Listen to me, Iris, before I lose my nerve.” Taking a deep shaking breath, my chest heaved. “Finding you again, having you come back into my life is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Finding out I have a daughter...” I gave a nervous chuckle. “I never thought I would be a dad. I never even thought I wanted to be one until I saw Violet. You did such a good job with her. And you will continue to do one. Both of you are so fucking perfect it makes my heart hurt.”
Her eyes widened. “Cyber, what's going on?”
She looked scared. And I couldn't blame her. She had every reason to look scared. Ducking, I found her lips with mine.
“Whatever happens, Iris, I want you to know that this was my choice. You have nothing to feel guilty about.
Iris’ eyes widened. They glanced downwards to my cut and then tear-filled, they met mine again. She shook her head. “No.” A sob ripped its way out of her throat. “No, Cyber.”
Her pain was tangible. “It's ok, Iris. This way, you and Violet can be free.”
The pop seemed loud even over the music blaring. The bullet hit me above the president's patch on the cut I was wearing. Not my cut.
Fang’s cut.
The force of it knocked me backwards.
Iris started screaming and fell to her knees. She screamed even louder when Monster was suddenly there, his muscled arms pulling her back. Dimly, I was aware of his voice.
“We need to go now, Iris. It’s over.”
Iris didn’t say a word, but her screams were agonised.
“Iris, it's done. You’re free. Let's go.”
I knew he was dragging her away, that my oldest friend would get her and my daughter to safety like I had asked him, but I couldn't help but wish I’d had more time.
“I love you, Iris,” I mouthed as darkness took over my vision,
I wished she could have heard it, but it was already too late.
26
Iris
Free?
That's what he had said. It was almost like Monster had thought I'd wanted this. That I had wanted Cyber’s death. It was never him that The Family was after. It had always been Fang. The almighty president of the Savage Sons. Why they had wanted him taken out, I didn't know. I hadn't dared to ask. How could I not do it? When it came to a choice of freedom for me and Violet, I had grabbed it with both hands.
And I’d hated the Savage Sons, or more specifically one member of them.
Cyber.
The man I had been told had killed my dad. The man who drew me into his world of darkness and pain, and then left me there undefended.
I jumped at the chance of hurting him. Even if it was through the club.
Never in a million years had I expected to find a family of sorts with the enemy, and I sure as hell hadn't thought seeing him again would stir up all those old feelings.
I hadn't expected to fall in love with him.
Or for him to be innocent.
The note slipped into Violet's coat the day Cyber had brought her home had given me strict instructions. I was to get Fang outside and unprotected. They would do the rest. It didn't tell me when or where, but that was The Family all over. They were always watching.
The only freedom I had ever had was the freedom they had allowed me to have.
