CHAPTER TEN: PLAYING WITH FIRE

IRIS

I sat there, waiting for the punchline. Maybe he was messing with me, maybe he was just throwing in a light joke and I was supposed to laugh.

But nothing about this felt funny to me.

The silence between us was suffocating as Maverick’s grey eyes stayed locked on mine, unwavering. Expectant.

Marriage was one thing I could put my foot in. I’d been married before, I could do it again especially if it was a means to an end.

But a child?

My stomach clenched, and I gripped the edge of the table, struggling to keep my breathing even. A panic attack would be the worst way to end this night.

Maverick had no idea. No idea what he was really asking of me.

“Iris…” he trailed off. “I know this is a lot to dump on you, and if you’re not okay with this, we can call it off. I promise.”

I swallowed, my throat dry. “You—” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat, forcing the words out.. “You need to get married and have a child? That’s the condition?”

Maverick nodded, his gaze assessing my face. “Yes.”

The back of my neck prickled with sweat as I fought to keep my expression neutral. He couldn't know.

‘He can’t know.’

I let out a sharp breath, forcing out a dry, humorless laugh. “That’s insane.”

“Look, I know how this sounds.” His voice was steady, calm—too fucking calm for my liking, as if he wasn't dropping the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“No, you don’t know how it sounds.” My voice came out sharper than intended, but I couldn't help it. My heart was racing. “You have no idea what you’re asking.”

I had to keep it together. Breathe.

Maverick exhaled slowly, leaning forward with his hands on the table. “Iris, listen to me. I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn't think it was necessary. And we don’t have to have a baby the traditional way, you know that. I just… fuck.” He sat back, running a hand through his hair.

He was frustrated. Well, so was I.

This man was completely unaware that he already had a child. A daughter. A little girl who had his grey eyes, his frown, his smile, his everything, was sleeping in a bed barely five miles from here.

And he had no clue.

I wondered what would happen if I mentioned Amethyst to him. He would hate me for keeping her from him, and he would take her away from me with all the money he had.

He would take her. If not now, then after the contract would expire.

If I didn’t tell him about her, he would find out on his own. He decidedly didn't look into me after we parted ways, if not, he would’ve known by now.

I couldn’t let that happen.

“Iris, I know that this is a lot to process, but think about what this could mean for you. You’ll have enough money to be comfortable. You’ll walk away unscathed and satisfied.”

Maybe I could run away with her before any of that could happen?

The problem was that I didn't have the money to run away. He was offering me a lot of money for this, and that would be more than enough to take care of my daughter.

But did I really want to go through all that?

I had to go.

I wet my lips, stalling. “Why me?”

“Because you hate him as much as I do,” he replied.

“That’s not enough of a reason.”

He smirked faintly. “You’re strong, Iris. You survived my brother, and that’s not something a lot of people can say.”

A bitter laugh escaped my mouth. “Survived is a strong word.”

I took a deep breath, looking around the restaurant, needing a moment to compose myself.

His proposal made sense. It was the perfect plan. He got what he wanted, I got what I needed.

But it wasn’t that simple.

“This is a lot, Maverick. You’re asking a lot from me. I hope you know that.”

He nodded. “I do.”

I pushed my chair and stood up abruptly. “I need to think.”

Maverick didn't stop me. He swirled the whiskey in his glass again. I noticed that he never took a sip of it, but it wasn’t my concern. Maybe he was just nervous.

“Take your time. Do you need me to drop you off?”

Shaking my head, I said, “I drove here.”

I turned and walked out of the restaurant, my ears ringing. This was all too much. It was too much.

*•*•*•*•*•*

The moment I got home, my heart warmed at the sight I met. Amy was asleep in Megan’s arms while she watched a soap opera on a low volume.

Megan looked up as I entered, her expression shifting from relaxed to concerned in a few seconds. She must have noticed something off in my face.

“You’re back earlier than I expected,” she said softly, careful not to wake Amy. “How did it go?”

I forced a smile, taking my heels off as I stepped further into the living room. “It was… eventful.”

That was one way to put it.

She arched her brow. “That’s vague.”

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I moved toward the couch, crouching in front of them as I took my baby girl into my arms, taking in her peaceful expression. She had always been a light sleeper. It was a miracle she hadn’t woken up already.

Seeing her like this made my chest ache. She was so innocent.

Megan studied me for a moment before gently running her fingers through Amy’s dark curls. “What happened?”

“He doesn’t just need a wife, Meg. He needs a child.”

Silence.

Megan’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze flickering between me and Amy as she processed what I just said to her. “You mean…”

“He has no idea,” I whispered, shaking my head. “He doesn't know about her, and I’m not so sure I should tell him.” I looked up at her. “I don't think I can do this, Meg.”

Her expression darkened. “Holy shit, Iris.”

I pushed myself up from the floor, pacing the length of the room with Amy in my hands as my mind raced. “What am I supposed to do? If I agree to this, I’ll have to pretend that I don’t already have his child. And if I don’t…”

“What happens if he finds out?” Megan asked, folding her arms over her chest.

“I don't know,” I admitted. “I just know that I can’t risk it.”

She stood up, running a hand through her hair frustratedly. “Iris, you’re playing with fire here.”

I let out a bitter chuckle. “When am I not?”

Megan shot me a look, but I could see the worry in her eyes. “Seriously though, are you going to keep her from him forever? Because I can see it in your eyes, babe. I can see that you want to take that offer.”

That took me aback. She wasn’t wrong, though. I was ready to agree to it. I was ready to do anything for Amy, except expose her.

“Like you said, it is a lot of money.” I shrugged slightly.

Megan frowned.

“This is the best option I have for us, Meg. If I do this, I can secure Amy’s future. I’ll have enough money to take care of her.” I paused. “I’ll be able to make sure she never goes through what I went through.”

I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes and I blinked rapidly.

“You’re not your parents, Iris. You’re not them.”

“I know that.”

Megan groaned. “I hate that you’re in this position.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

We kept our eyes on each other. None of us looked away as we reached an understanding.

I was going to marry Maverick Sinclair.