CHAPTER 3
IRIS
Just as I’m about to step onto the street leading to the station, a car speeds past and screeches to a stop.
It’s a red Mercedes. I have no idea what model it is, but it definitely looks good.
The driver starts honking, but I ignore it.
I don’t know anyone with a car like that, unless someone decided to chase me down for my number.
For a second, I actually wonder if it’s Ilay, trying to get my attention.
I keep walking, but the driver’s door opens, and someone calls out behind me, “Prickly princess!”
I turn and see my friend Jackson waving, grinning like an idiot. I walk back toward him, rolling my eyes.
“You know I don’t respond to honks from strangers,” I say, crossing my arms. “And you know I hate it when people do that. Are you sure you’re really my friend?”
He laughs, shrugging. “How else was I supposed to show off my new car to you without looking completely vain?”
I laugh and Jackson smirks, opening the passenger door for me. “Get in. I’ll drop you wherever you’re going.”
I slide into the seat, and he gets behind the wheel.
That’s when I finally take a good look at him.
His black hair is slicked back with gel, making his sharp features stand out even more.
He’s got those dark brown eyes and a face that’s almost too attractive, even with the slight crook in his nose.
He’s what people would call a pretty boy, and his height only adds to it.
Not that I’m swooning, he’s just a friend.
He catches me staring and smirks. “Done staring? Should I turn so you can get the full 360 experience?”
I snort. “You really are vain. Just drive me to Jane’s Café so I can get lunch.”
Jackson laughs. “I still don’t get how you don’t gain weight when your diet is alcohol and sweets. Teach me your ways.”
I smile, shaking my head. “Ha. Ha. Ha.”
Jackson clicks his tongue in annoyance. “You should go to the hospital later and make sure you’re not hurt.”
As we drive, he glances over. "How’s your day been? You holding up okay?" I shrug. "The case with Senator Ivanov is still going. I’m not sure what I’ll do if he refuses to give up."
He frowns. "Did he cause trouble again?"
I sigh. "Yeah. He even sent his goons to mess with David." “I’m fine. Nothing’s broken,” I tell him, but he still doesn’t look convinced.
We get to the café and climb out. He slings an arm over my shoulder as we head inside.
The place is lively with people chatting, eating ice cream and pastries, sunlight pouring in through the windows.
We find a booth by the window and sit down.
Just as we settle into the booth, I order my usual—chocolate cake and a cold coffee.
Jackson goes for a half slice of pie and a smoothie.
We start talking about random things, nothing serious, just the usual catch-up. Then I decide to mention it.
“So, today at the senator’s office, I met a very strange man,” I say, poking at my cake. “He gave me these dangerous vibes.”
Jackson perks up, looking at me over the rim of his glass. “oh? Who was he? Did you get his name? Maybe I know him.”
“His name is Ilay,” I say.
He narrows his eyes, thinking. “Ilay what? Does he have a surname? I know a lot of Ilays.”
I swirl my coffee and answer, “Ilay Ivanovich.”
Jackson visibly goes stiff, then puts his cup down. But the next moment he grabs my hand, his grip almost painful. “Please tell me you didn’t anger him. Please tell me you didn’t hit him or threaten this man.”
My voice shakes. “No, I didn’t.” Why is he squeezing my wrist so hard?
“You’re hurting me,” I say quietly.
He seems to snap out of it and quickly lets go. “Sorry. Just… don’t get on his bad side, okay? Actually, don’t get on his good side, either. Don’t get anywhere close to him.”
I straighten, the hairs on my arms prickling. “Why? What’s so special about him? How dangerous does a guy have to be for you to get shaken up?”
Jackson’s jaw tightens. He looks me dead in the eye.
“Just don’t anger the guy, Iris. Around here, he goes by another name.
You don’t want to end up on his radar. He’s not some lackey.
You don’t just run into a man like that by accident.
If you meet him, you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it’s never for a good reason. He’s dangerous. Really dangerous.”
His words linger between us, heavy. I watch him, my mind racing, a chill settling in my chest. Jackson has never looked this serious before. If even he’s nervous, I know I should be careful.
Another thought crosses my mind. If he’s really this dangerous and he’s interested in me, why not use it? Maybe I can get his help or cooperation somehow.
I turn to Jackson. “Jackson, I think I might need his help. I mean, if he’s paying attention to me why not use that?”
Jackson groans and runs a hand down his face.
“Just stop, okay? I already warned you. I’m not even supposed to be telling you any of this.
I’m saying it as a friend. Don’t try to get close to him.
Don’t try to warm up to him just to use him.
He doesn’t help people on a whim. And you…
..” He sighs, looking frustrated. “You’re a beautiful girl, Iris.
Being on his radar is bad. As in, really bad. ”
I shrug, trying to brush off his worry. “Well, he doesn’t look like he’s going to hurt me. And this is actually the second time I’ve run into him. The first time was in an alleyway.”
Jackson rubs his hair, “Oh my God. No. No, no, no. Iris, listen to me….”
He’s acting like I’m about to walk into a trap I’ll never get out of. I’ve never seen him this unsettled.
I try to reassure him. “Look, the first time was just an accident. And honestly, he was polite.”
Jackson stares at me, incredulously. “Polite? That man has never been polite.”
I eye him carefully. “So… you know him?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know him. But people I know say he’s bad news. Bad news to the right people and to the wrong people. Why would you even… ugh, Iris.”
I reassure him and say, “Look, I’m not going to sleep with him, and I’m not going to let him sleep with me. I just want to persuade him to help me get some dirt on the senator since they’re close. I’m not about to get too close or do anything reckless. Besides, don’t you trust me?”
Jackson sighs, still not convinced. “That’s the thing, I trust you. I just don’t trust him.”
I wave him off. “Alright, I won’t get too close. Happy now?”
His shoulders slumps down. “Thank you. For real, Iris, just stay away from him.”
We wrap up our conversation. Jackson’s phone rings and he glances at the screen, grimacing. “Ah, I have to leave town again. But I’ll be back soon, and when I am, we’re going out. Don’t forget.”
“Sure,” I say. He pays for our food, tips the waitress, and then he’s gone.
I sit there for a moment, picking at the crumbs on my plate, replaying the conversation in my mind.
He’s already said his piece, but I know my own.
I’m going to take full advantage of his interest in me.
Maybe it isn’t full-blown infatuation, but he did call me an angel.
If he sees me as some sort of deity, why shouldn’t I use it?
I pull out my phone and message Mr. David, letting him know I’ll be coming by the factory soon to sort out a few things, and that I might have found us a stroke of luck—a man who can finally defeat the senator.