Page 153 of Illicit Games

“I know that. I just don’t like the thought of her putting herself in danger for me.”

“You’ll have to learn to live with it, because that’s how deeply she’s in love with you. Don’t try to change her.”

I hate that he’s right.

“I’ll take care of this.” He points to the body. “Be with Iris.”

“It isn’t your mess.”

“For once, trust me, Kian.”

Knowing I can’t turn down the offer because it’s his way of holding out an olive branch, I stand up and give him a number to call for cleanup. Putting on my jacket, I stalk toward the door and unlock it. I pivot at the last second, another question nagging at me.

“Are you in love with Iris?”

Nathan’s muscles tense, his expression becoming impassive. Crossing his arms, he asks me, “How long did it take for you to fall for her?”

“Less than a month. Or maybe it was at first sight. I don’t know.”

“I was with her for three years.”

His confession is a blow to my chest.

He shrugs. “But like I said, I knew she wasn’t mine from the start.”

“Nathan…”

“Don’t.” His jaw tightens. “I’m never coming between you two again. Now leave.”

I believe him.

We both know Iris and I belong together.

***

It takes me two hours to remove all the evidence from what occurred tonight. Darian and Nathan texted and confirmed that everything is taken care of.

Tomorrow morning, the world will learn Arjun Patel was killed in a fight in prison.

After parking in the underground garage of my building, I ride the elevator up to my apartment at midnight. As per the message I received from Dash, both Bianca and Rosalie have been with Iris the entire day. I’m grateful to them for keeping her company so she wasn’t alone. They must’ve gone home by now.

The car stops with a ding.

Exiting on my floor, I quickly march to my front door and unlock it. Crossing the threshold, I’m greeted with silence and the scent of strawberries from every corner. Her scent is a balm to my soul, dispersing the lingering tension from my shoulders and back.

“Rainbow?” I call out. Shrugging off my jacket, I throw it on the chair on my way past the drawing room. I catch sight of her long hair flowing down her back as I round the corner to the living area. “Iris, bab-”

My throat goes dry, terror takes root in my bones as I walk into my worst nightmare.

A frenzied Yukta stands across from my Iris, pointing a gun at her.

“Perfect timing,” she sneers, her eyes bloodshot like she’s high.

I take a step so I’m standing next to Iris, ready to tackle her in case Yukta shoots.

“Kian! Go!” Iris shakily says.

“Oh, no,” tsks Yukta, shaking the gun at her. “Nobody is going anywhere. Do as I say, Kian, or I will shoot her.”