Page 147 of Illicit Games

She glances away, trembling like a leaf.

“Answer me,” I demand lethally.

“Since the beginning,” she reveals in a low voice. “I… I received a threatening text telling me to stop poking around. That they knew my secret. In the alley, the masked man said he knew who I was working for and that he should shut me up for good.”

The chair falls to the floor with a resounding thud as I stand up.

Iris jumps.

The anger boils up like lava that she’d be this reckless, placing her life in danger, and keep such vital information from me.

“How could you keep this from me?” I furiously scold. “I was distraught and scared out of my mind. I’ve slept restlessly every night since I found you hurt, while doing everything I can to catch the man. Beating myself up for failing and hitting dead ends. Now, I find out it’s because you kept the truth from me.”

“I’m so s-so sorry,” she sobs, closing the distance and pressing her hands against my chest. “Please. I never meant to hurt you.”

I don’t touch her, standing stiff. “Do you even love me, Rainbow? Because I don’t think you can love someone you don’t trust. And you don’t trust me.”

Her knees buckle as she clutches my biceps in anguish. “How could you ask me that? I love you more than life itself, Kian. Itrustyou.”

“I kept defending you to Zenith. The investigator I hired. He kept warning me that you were hiding something, but I refused to believe him. Turns out, I was defending a liar.”

Shaking her head, she hoarsely says, “I kept the truth because I-I was trying to protect you. If I said anything to you about the case or my involvement in it, it would’ve drawn suspicion on you. They were already looking for one small reason to come after you. I couldn’t let it happen, even at the risk of you never forgiving me.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” Gripping her wrists, I push them away and create distance between us. Running a hand over my head, I laugh bitterly as I stare at her. “I don’t care if you were using me to further your career, or wrote an article about me to make a name for yourself. None of it matters to me. Keeping you safe is my priority, and it kills me that you kept important information from me. I wouldn’t have let you be hurt had I known about the blackmailing text. Hell, I understand that we weren’t even dating back then, so you didn’t want to risk telling me. But what about after? How could you not say anything till tonight? What reason did I give you not to trust me? You’ve fed me nothing but lies. You’ve hurt me terribly, Iris.”

She runs up to me, grabbing my hand. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me, Kian. I made a mistake. I should’ve told you. Please. I love you. I’m sorry.”

“I need space.” I step back, my soul roaring in torment as loud sobs rack her body. But I can’t look at her right now. “I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

“No! Don’t shut me out!” Her palm presses to her chest as she begs, “Please.”

“I hope lying to me was worth it.”

I turn around and walk away.

***

I stare at the ceiling as midnight strikes.

A few hours are all I’m able to last without needing her. That’s how deeply she has sunk her claws into me.

Sliding off the bed, I enter the silent hallway and walk to the master bedroom. I switch on the lights, finding the bed made and empty.

Where is… No!

I run back out to the dining area, almost falling to my knees at the sight.

She’s exactly where I left her.

Curled up in a ball on the floor with her knees pressed to her chest and her back against the kitchen island.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Bridging the distance between us in two long strides, her blurry eyes blink up at me as I bend to pick her up. Her skin is cold, while shivers rock her small frame. I tuck her against the warmth of my chest as I carry her to the bedroom.

“I-I’m s-sorry,” she hiccups, voice low and pained. “I’m sorry. I-I’m sorry.”

Her delirious state makes my insides feel like someone is slicing them with an iron bar. Why did I think space would fix anything? I’m infuriated at myself for leaving her like this and not coming up to check on her sooner.