Page 77 of Bound By Flames

I arch a brow.

“I thought you had told her about Iris.” The name of that woman lands like a bomb on the ground. The blood drains frommy face as I hear the only name in the world I wish to never cross paths ever again.

“What did you say?” It’s not Vanessa’s fault, I should have told Mia about that weeks ago, but we weren't there yet. We weren't real then.

Fuck, Mia must be wondering all kinds of questions.

“Whatever, it’s fine. I'll deal with it. Go back to your guests, Vaness’.” It’s not her fault. I’ll deal with my mess on my own.

“I’m sorry,” she apologizes, but I’m already halfway to the back of the gallery. Carter is waiting, arms behind his back, in front of what looks like a janitor's office.

“Boss.” He nods.

“Carter.” I nod back.

He slides to the side, and I enter, closing the door right away and keeping my little vulnerable tornado away from prying eyes.

“Hey,” she says quietly, her knees up to her chin on the black chair of this cleaning closet.

“Hey.” I circle the table and kneel in front of her, our gazes on the same level.

Without asking her, I lift her small body, and sit on the chair then put her back on my lap, her face right in the crook of my neck.

Right where it needs to be.

She hums quietly, like a kitten and the sound sends goosebumps rising on my forearms.

“You okay?” I ask gently.

“Yeah.” Her voice is soft and breathy.

“Missed you,” I admit, 'cause I’ve barely seen her since yesterday. My girl was asleep when I came home, and she was still sleeping when I got to the club. Wished I could have fallenasleep with her in my arms, but I didn’t dare to do it, didn’t know if she would have pulled back.

“Ares?”

I hum back.

“Who’s Iris?”

Fuck me for waiting so long to talk about it and make it look like a fucking big deal when it’s not.

“A woman who doesn’t count anymore.”

“Why?” Her voice breaks a little, less confident, less sure of herself.

Mia, mia. There’s nothing to fear, princess.

“It’s a long story, Mia. You’re sure you wanna hear it?” I stroke her beautiful, fiery hair.

“Yes, I need to know. I’ve been thinking about this nonstop since yesterday.” I sigh, remembering a part of my life I’d rather let buried deep inside my fucking mistakes and regrets.

“Five years ago, I met a woman. Everything went fast, and she was pregnant a few months after our first date. It wasn’t love or anything like it, but I thought we had an understanding. She had her life. I had mine. Once I knew she was pregnant, she moved in ‘cause I wanted to show her she had support. I was kind of pumped about becoming a father, even if I didn’t like her much. I…I wanted the kid.”

“But, what happened?”

“I don’t like to talk ‘bout this, but long story short, she was the niece of an enemy gang. She had been sent to break the club from within by giving intel to her uncles.” I explain, shaking my head.

“I was blinded by the pregnancy, didn’t see it coming and,” I sigh, “one day I got home, and she had packed her bags, said she was bored as fuck and wanted to come home. I said she was home, but she laughed at my face and told me the truth. Saidshe had agreed ‘cause I had enough money for her to spend on clothes and shit.”