Page 113 of Carnal Games

Still, why would they choose Iris? It makes no sense. Besides Arjun and me, I’ve kept her interactions limited to anybody else in the company.

Running my hands down her sides, over her ribs and behind her back, I check for any other injuries and find none. Though I won’t know much more or how much pain she’s in until she wakes up. She could have a concussion.

“Little rainbow, open your eyes,” I murmur. The endearment slipping of its own volition. Bringing out my handkerchief, I dab it under her nose and lips to clean the blood. I won’t be able to think properly until she’s checked over by a doctor.

Gathering her in my arms, I stand up to my full height and rush upstairs.

“Bring my car around ASAP,” I bark at the receptionist in the lobby, making her jump and stare at a limp Iris.

“Is that Iris?”

“My car. Now,” I yell until she dials my driver’s number. I’d also ask her to call Iris’s emergency contact number, but I know it’s Nathan, having read it in her intake forms. With the time difference, it’s highly unlikely he’d pick up. Plus, I’m not sure if Iris has told him about our arrangement. I’d let her decide once she’s up.

Ganesh is parking the car near the front gate when I bring Iris outside.

Hurrying to our side, he opens the door and I carefully maneuver us inside. As he jumps in the driver’s seat and turns the ignition, I order, “The hospital.”

Iris hasn’t stirred at all, which doesn’t ease the tension that’s taken my body hostage. I didn’t realize how much I like having her ocean blue eyes on me until now. Her constantly bickering and challenging me. Sparring with her, where she ends up winning the argument each time. It’s the highlight of my day.

I thought I hated it, treating her like she’s an annoyance.

However, it was my denial talking.

A pretense to avoid the glaring truth.

I’m craving the one woman in the world that I can never have, unless I’m willing to wage a war against my brother and give up on ever reconciling my relationship with him.

After today, it’s too late to let her go, not while she’s unsafe.

It leaves me with one option.

To bury the treacherous desire growing inside me and keep her at arm’s length.

Holding her protectively in my lap, I tuck her hair behind her ear and caress my knuckle down the slope of her cheek. Cupping her jaw, I vow, “I’m going to take care of you, little rainbow. Until the day I have to let you go.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Iris

“Ughhh,” I groan, trying to stop whoever is repeatedly hitting my head with a bat.

It throbs like hell.

When the bashing continues and increases by the minute, I try to roll away. Except, sharp pain shoots up my stomach, and I gasp loudly, which makes the agony worse.

What happened to me?

“Don’t move,” a soft but firm command comes.

The voice is familiar, comforting, and safe. I immediately listen and freeze all movement. The pain around my ribs dissipates while the pounding in my skull dulls a little. Tiredness blankets me from head to toe, yet I push through and blink my eyes open to see where I am.

Only one opens, while the left one feels like it’s sewn shut.

Oh god! Why can’t I open both my eyes?

Sudden panic at the inability makes my heart beat faster. I raise my hand to inspect my face when steady fingers curl around my wrist, and gently lower it down to my side.

“You’re hurt, Miss Mannan.”