Page 130 of Ruthless Savage

“I’m sorry, Eriu.” His face turns with sympathy and regret. “You were so young when it happened. I just…”

“What happened to Mom?”

I need to know the truth. It’s killing me not to know.

“Sergey, he took her after we had a dispute over property and…” He fists a hand, and in his silence, there’s despair. “He burned her alive. He sent me the video to prove it.”

“Oh my God!” My vision blurs and I slap a hand over my mouth, my tears falling silently for a woman I barely remember. For the one who loved me, but whose love I can’t seem to hold on to.

But it’s there, like the wind kissing your skin, like the sun sprinkling you with its heat. Yet you can’t touch or keep it. You have to be content to simply feel it and let go.

My father’s arms are there, clasping around me. “Your mother was a great woman, and she loved you with all her heart, my darling.”

I nod, sobbing against him, mourning her in my own way.

I don’t know how long I cry, but it somehow feels good to. It’s cathartic, like I’m shedding a part of myself I no longer want to keep.

My father kisses me on the top of my head and goes to the mini fridge to get me a water bottle. I take a few sips and place it on the nightstand beside me.

“So, you and Devlin, huh?”

He quickly changes the subject and I’m instantly relieved. Because as soon as I hear his name, I can’t help but smile. “Yeah.”

He grins, settling back on the chair. “You think I didn’t know you had a crush on him?”

My mouth pops.

“That’s right. Your father isn’t always blind as a bat. Sometimes I wear my glasses.”

I roll my eyes. “You never wear your glasses.”

“I’m being figurative here, alright?” He chuckles. “He’s a good man.”

“I know. Now Mason…” I grimace. “Really, Dad? You couldn’t even give me a little heads-up about your plan?”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just knew I had to do something a bit drastic for Devlin to admit his feelings for ya. I think everyone knew but him.”

“He was just scared of disappointing you and feeling like he wasn’t good enough for your daughter. His parents never accepted him, and he carried that.”

“Yeah, well, he’s got a family now.”

“That’s right.” I can’t wait until he returns. “I hope nothing happens to them.”

“It won’t. They have each other’s backs. And now we have the Messinas on our side, thanks to your sister marrying Gio.”

“Well, I’m just glad I wasn’t the one to marry him. Two failed arranged marriages for me. I’m on a roll.”

He laughs. “Never thought your sister would marry before you. That’s something I didn’t see coming.”

“There was no way Gio was ever gonna let her go.”

His laughter grows. “You’re not kidding. I thought he was gonna have my head when he barged into my office that one day and told me he was marrying her and I had no choice in the matter.”

My heart warms at the way Gio loves my sister. He’d do anything for her. Burn the world down just to see her smile.

“I’m happy for her. She deserves it.”

“Aye. She does. And so do you.”

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