Page 79 of Ruthless Savage

It makes me wonder back to my mom’s death, and I plan to ask Iseult about it when this all dies down. I’m not a child anymore. I should know what happened to my own mother.

I finish off my bagel with cream cheese and crumple the wrapper in my palm, starting to get up and head out.

“Where are you off to today?” She tosses her breakfast burrito wrapper and empty coffee cup into the nearby trash can.

“I’m gonna go see Devlin. He came home from the hospital today, and I don’t want him to be alone.” I grab the bagel I got him just in case he didn’t eat this morning.

“Aww, look at you, taking care of your man.”

“Shut up.” My lips flicker, and I playfully shove her. “If it hadn’t been for him, I could’ve died.”

Her face grows somber. “I’m glad you didn’t.” She twists her mouth. “You’re my favorite bitch.”

“Thanks for the sweet compliment. You always have a way with words.” I give her a big hug. “Please be careful getting back to the dorm.”

“Why?” Her brows furrow. “Think my car is gonna blow up too?”

She laughs, but I don’t find it funny. Whoever is after me could come after her. When it comes to evil people, there are no innocents. Everyone can fall prey. I’m starting to learn that about my life.

“Of course not.” I let a reassuring smile slip even as my pulse kicks up. “It’s the city. You always have to be careful.”

She shrugs off my concern. “Please. The city is as scary as the rats in the subways. Harmless. Now go see that sexy bodyguard of yours.” She eyes Rogue, my current replacement until Devlin gets better. “Now, the new one? He’s mine.”

She grins at him flirtatiously and gives him a little wave. His dark eyes narrow at her, and his bulging arms remain crossed as he sits at a table near ours.

She leans in toward my ear. “I think he likes me.”

“Uh…if you say so.”

When we start heading for the door, Rogue gets up, his large frame easily six-five. He’s someone I’d see around my dad’s academy, a school for elite soldiers in his little army. Yes, he has an army. And I assume they do more than just defend his massive estate or protect us.

Rogue follows us out, and Karen gets in her car after a long walk to where we parked. But before he allows me into his Rolls-Royce, he checks it for bugs and bombs, using a small circular device someone on my father’s team created.

This is my life now. Danger everywhere. And now my dad won’t even let me drive.

“Okay, Rogue, I think we’re safe.”

“Can never be too careful, ma’am.” His face is stoic.

I swear these men who work for my dad are paid to look pissed off.

Once he’s satisfied, he allows me to get in and follows to the driver’s side.

“Just going to Devlin’s.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He starts the engine and takes us to the Upper West Side, where Devlin has his apartment.

Thirty minutes later, we’ve found a spot a few blocks away and arrive at his building.

Rogue is right behind me as I head into the complex and ring Devlin’s doorbell from the lobby.

“Who is it?” His voice is a rough, yet soothing concoction.

A smile spreads on my face. “It’s me. I just wanted to see?—”

The door buzzes instantly, and I rush inside and into the elevator with Rogue. He remains silent, staring at the door while I ache to see Devlin. To hold him. To make sure he’s okay.

Ding.

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