Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I really miss her.
There's nothing more that I hate than missing out on so much of her childhood.
I know I can't make up for all of it, but I'd like to try to make up for some of it.
"Good. We can hang out. Go somewhere nice," I smile.
"That sounds like fun. You'll have to show me around, though. The city is different than the last time I was here," she says, and for the next hour, we talk about nothing important, and as I'm doing the dishes, a knock sounds at the front door.
"Who's that?" Allegra asks.
"I've no idea. Stay here," I hiss, and I walk over to the door.
When I open it, Iris is standing there in a red dress, her hair and makeup flawless. "Iris. What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Daddy," she smiles, her voice soft. "I was wondering if we could talk. I have a few things on my mind."
"Jesus fucking Christ," I hiss.
"What? Who's at the door?" Allegra calls, and with that, Iris steps inside and closes the door behind her.
"You should have called. Why didn't you call?"
"I didn't have the time," she shrugs. "Is this a bad time? Am I interrupting something?"
"Interrupting what?" Allegra asks, walking into the living room. "Oh my God, Iris!"
The girls embrace, and Iris hugs her tightly.
"It's so good to see you," Iris smiles, and my heart sinks. "I didn't know you were coming back already!"
"It's good to see you, too," Allegra says, her eyes on me. "Is this why you didn't want me to come home? You've been seeing someone?"
"No. No, of course not," I shake my head. "We've got things to discuss. You know I bought Satin Dreams, and a house the girls live in. And a bunch of other shit. It's a business arrangement, okay?"
"Right. Sure," Allegra frowns. "How are you? How are you holding up after everything that happened with Lyon?"
"I'm fine," Iris nods. "Really."
"That's good. Do you want to hang out while you're here?" Allegra asks.
"Yes. Absolutely," Iris says, smiling brightly. "It's been forever since we hung out."
"Yes, it has. Come on. We'll make a day of it," Allegra says. "When do you get back from this super important business meeting?"
Iris and I look at each other guiltily.
"Later. Tonight," I manage.
"Good. We'll meet up then," Allegra smiles, and Iris's face lights up.
"That sounds amazing. Where should we meet? Maybe that coffee place in the old town? The one where we had lunch that day after school."
"Perfect," Allegra smiles, and the two women are beaming.
"Good," I manage. "Ready for that meeting, Iris?"
"I am. Good luck with your boy toy," she says, and Allegra blushes.
"Thanks," she says.
"See you soon," Iris winks, and with that, she heads out the front door.
"Bye, dad. Have a good meeting," Allegra laughs, heading back into the dining room.
"Yeah. Thanks," I mumble, and the minute the door closes, I'm racing out the door. "Iris!"
"Oh, God," she hisses, turning on her heels.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. Walking away," she smiles, and her innocence is enough to melt me. "She's right here, Viper. I don't want her to see us together."
"You can't come to my house, okay? You can't ever do that again," I hiss, pulling her into my arms. "Fuck. I want you. So fucking much. Last night was amazing. Fucking incredible."
"Me too. But we can't be together. Not yet. She won't accept it. God, I'm only a few years older than her," she whispers.
"I know. It's complicated as fuck," I hiss, kissing her softly.
"We can't do this. We can't," she cries, pushing me away.
"Baby," I start.
"No. Just, no," she hisses. "Not like this. Not in secret. You don't understand. I can't keep doing this. I love what we have going on between us, Viper, but we can't do this if we have to hide it forever."
I groan, then follow her to the car.
She won't let me open the door for her, and I stand on the curb uselessly.
"Fuck," I hiss, and get in the driver's seat.
We drive to the meeting in silence, and when we're parked, she reaches over and grabs my hand.
"You'll wait for me, right?" she whispers.
"You know I will," I hiss. "You're mine, Iris."
"Then kiss me goodbye. Like you mean it," she whispers, and when my lips touch hers, my chest is filled with warmth.
"I'll always mean it," I whisper, and the second those words leave my lips, the moment is broken.
"Wait for me. Wait for me, please," she begs, her tears streaming down her face.
"Always. Always, baby," I hiss, wiping the tears away. "Always."
"Good," she sniffles.
My heart fucking breaks for us, and what we could have been if the circumstances were different.
"I'll be here. Every step of the way," I whisper, and she nods.
"I need you, Daddy. But we can't ever let her know," she whispers, and the second the words leave her lips, I know they're true.