Chapter 4

Iris

Adrian pushes me back onto the bed, voice panicked. "You don't mean that. Calm down. I won't let anything happen to you."

I stare at him. Say nothing. I don't want to talk anymore.

For the next five days, he stays by my side constantly. Cooks the meals I used to love, brings up old memories, tries to hold my hand. I knock the plates over, turn and walk away, slap him across the face. His head snaps to the side but he doesn't hit back, just stares at me. Always saying the same thing. "You'll come around. You'll see. I really do love you."

He doesn't get it. Some things can't be fixed once they're broken.

Fifth night, late. My phone buzzes. Encrypted text, one line: "Tonight. Midnight. Two kilometers past the north gate."

I wait until Adrian leaves to handle gang business, then force myself up. My body's still weak, but I have to go. If I stay any longer, I'll lose my mind.

I avoid the patrolling guards, climb over the estate wall. My movements aren't as smooth as they used to be. I almost lose my balance when I land. Less than ten steps and sharp pain explodes at the base of my neck. Everything goes black.

When I come to, I'm sitting on cold ground, hands tied behind my back. The ocean stretches out ahead, dark. Waves crash against rocks. I'm at the cliff edge.

A few meters away, Evelyn and Tyler are tied up too. Evelyn's makeup is smeared, Tyler's shaking. A man with a scarred face stands in front of us. I recognize him. One of Adrian's enemies.

The scarred man grins as he makes a call. "Mr. Blackwell, I've got your wife, your mistress, and the bastard. Get to the cliff. And come alone."

Soon enough, Adrian comes running. Alone. The moment he sees us, his face goes white.

The scarred man pulls out a gun, points it at me. "I heard you like playing God. Three years ago, two kids. Now, two women. Let's see what you do." He kicks me. I roll toward the cliff edge. Then he kicks Evelyn and Tyler. They roll toward flat ground. "I'll count to three. You pick one. Save them, your wife falls. Save your wife, I shoot them both."

Adrian's eyes move between me and Evelyn. I watch him. Already know the answer.

"One."

"Two."

Adrian lunges toward Evelyn and Tyler, shields them with his body, screams at me. "Wait! I'll bring help! I'm coming back for you! You'll be okay!"

The scarred man laughs. "Same fucking choice!"

Adrian takes Evelyn and Tyler and runs. Leaves me with the scarred man.

I close my eyes. My chest feels empty. Even the anger is gone. Just cold. Bone-deep cold.

I take a deep breath, force myself to stay calm. The rope around my wrists is tight. I work at it bit by bit, my wrists raw and bleeding. Everything's harder with how weak I am. I almost pass out but I grit my teeth and push through.

Finally, the rope loosens.

While the scarred man isn't paying attention, I spring up, strike his neck. He's fast, dodges sideways, but I kick his knee. He stumbles and falls. I grab the gun from his hand, slam the grip against his head. His eyes roll back and he's out.

I stumble away from the cliff. Footsteps in the distance. Adrian's voice. "Iris!"

I turn back. He's running this way with a group of men, panic all over his face.

I watch Adrian getting closer. Only one thought in my head. If he takes me back, it'll be endless captivity, torture, fake apologies and bullshit "I love you"s.

I'd rather die than go back.

I turn. Run toward the cliff edge.

"Stop! What the hell are you doing!" Adrian's voice cracks with terror. He runs faster.

I reach the cliff edge. Three-hundred-foot drop to the water below. Wind whips my hair around, salt spray hits my face. Somehow, this feels like freedom.

Adrian reaches the cliff, five meters away. He stays frozen. Holds out his hand. It's shaking. "Don't stand so close to the edge. Step back. Please. We can talk this through."

I turn to face him. "Talk? What's left to say?"

"I was coming back! I wasn't leaving you behind!"

"You always have a reason. At the docks when you saved Tyler, you said you'd save Eden. When you beat me in the basement, you said it was because I didn't listen. When you destroyed Eden's ashes at the cemetery, you said it was for Evelyn and Tyler. When you left me here, you said you'd come right back. I'm tired. I don't want to hear any more reasons."

Adrian's eyes are red, almost drops to his knees. "I know I fucked up! I know I did terrible things! But please, just give me one more chance! I swear, I'll send Evelyn away. I'll fix this!"

I laugh, bitter. Point down at the water. "Fix this? You remember this place? Three years ago, Eden died in these waters because of you. Now I'm going to die here too. Maybe then I can finally be with her, tell her I'm sorry."

Adrian's face goes white. "No. No, don't. Please. I'll give you anything you want! You can kill me if you want! Just don't jump!"

He takes a step forward. I step back. My heel dangles over nothing. Adrian freezes. Doesn't move.

I close my eyes. "You know what? My biggest regret? Saying yes ten years ago. Taking bullets for you. Your family saved my life, so I'm giving it back. After this, we're even. In hell or anywhere else, don't follow me. You make me sick."

I spread my arms and fall backward.

"No!" Adrian screams, lunges for the cliff edge, reaches desperately.

His fingers brush my sleeve. Then I'm falling into darkness.

Wind roars in my ears. I watch his face twist, shrink. "Iris!"