Iris's POV

I stood in Chloe’s empty bedroom for a full minute after closing the bathroom door, forcing my breathing to even out.

The turtleneck clung to still-damp skin. Every step made me aware of how bare I was under the thin fabric, of what Rafael had left inside me, of the fresh throb of the bite on my shoulder. I smoothed the high neck higher, pressed cool hands to my cheeks until the flush faded, fixed my hair as best I could, and practiced a neutral expression in the mirror. Only then did I open the bedroom door.

The hallway was empty, no Britney waiting, that was something.

I...