Page 1 of Ruthless Savage

CHAPTER 1

DEVLIN

“Letter for you, McHale.” A prison officer tosses an envelope into the slot of the six-by-eight box that’s been my home for about a year.

That is, of course, when I wasn’t stuck in solitary for killing a man. I had no choice, though. It was a hit. He was out for my blood, so I took his. Choked the life out of him.

He didn’t stand a chance against me. No one ever has.

I don’t know who sent him, but whoever it was must’ve been connected to the guy I’m accused of killing and the reason I’m in here.

I’ve got a feeling it was Gio Marino of the Messina crime family who organized the hit. Would be fitting. I did murder his friend, after all. Or so he thinks. But the bastard deserved it. Was connected to a trafficking ring.

Gio came to see me some months back, asking questions about that night. Wanting to know what happened. I’ll never tell him the truth, though. I’ll be taking that to my grave.

Don’t know why he’d wanna associate with the likes of that fella. The Messinas never were the type to dabble in people.

But let him think it was me who killed his friend. That was the point. I’d take the fall for it every single time just so I could keep Eriu safe.

She’s not just anyone. She’s the youngest daughter of Patrick Quinn, the man I work for and the head of the Irish Mob in Boston.

After I got out of solitary, Patrick forced the warden to erase the incident from my record. Pinned it on someone else who’s serving a life term for killing some kids. The Quinn family is powerful, and their connections run deep.

I get to my feet, already knowing who the letter is from before I even open it. She’s the only one who cares enough about a bastard like me to write them. I’ve got no one else who gives a damn. Family’s all dead. Hers is the only family I’ve got left.

As I trace her name on the envelope, my body strains, knowing it’s wrong to think of her the way I am right now. She’s only eighteen and, most importantly, Patrick’s daughter. She’s not meant for me.

But in the last few months, my feelings for her have become more than I can endure. I never dared to think about her that way, not until a few months ago when she confessed in a letter that she has real feelings for me.

And for a moment, I wondered what that would feel like. To have someone who actually loves me.

Of course, I told her nothing could ever happen. That she was being foolish. She was merely a child. Yet she isn’t much of a child now, is she?

But she’s still far too young and impressionable. Innocent beyond measure. She’s got the kindest heart and purest soul. Too good for me. I have nothing to offer her.

So why do those bright green eyes haunt me when I close mine? It’s then that I see all of her: those lean, sun-kissed legs, those curves men would spill blood over just to sin at her altar.

She’s never realized the effect she has on men, though. She was always shy, and her cheeks would turn pink every time I looked at her. I realize it’s because she had feelings for me.

Now I’m the one hiding my feelings for her.

My Eriu.

A temptation far too enticing.

One taste, and I’d forever be hers.

So I have to keep my distance. Make her think that nothing can come of our mutual attraction. We are of different worlds. We always will be.

I’d never simply fool around with her, either. She’s far too special for that. And I’d also never disrespect her father by suggesting I take his daughter’s hand. Someone like me would never be good enough.

I have too much respect for the Quinns. Patrick has done a lot for me. Helped me start over after my brother, Keegan, was killed. Recruited me to become an enforcer for the family.

It’s the only thing I’ve lived and breathed until she came along. Until her father asked me to be her bodyguard when she was only thirteen.

After that, I swore to give up my life for hers. I vowed to protect that girl with everything I had, and I always will.

I’d die behind these prison bars if it meant she could be safe. If she could shine her light on the world like I never will.

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