Page 89 of Ruthless Savage

“I know. I think I may have figured a way out. It’s just not the best option. But it feels like the only one I have.”

My body sags. I’m so tired. I just want this to be over.

She nods thoughtfully. “Sometimes we have to make difficult choices, and sometimes those are the only ones that will create change.” She leans forward. “You’re strong. I’ve always told you that.”

“Thank you.” I reach into my backpack and retrieve the books she lent me, placing them in front of her. “I appreciate these. They were helpful.”

“I’m glad. I’ll have more for you next week. But listen, take my number down. If you ever need anything, call me anytime. I sleep late.” Her mouth tips up, and I feel a little better talking to her.

She’s right. I have to make a difficult choice, and it may cost me more than I realize. But marrying Mason is a fate worse than death.

She tells me her number, and I save it into my phone before heading for the door. “Thanks, Professor Montgomery.”

“Always. Have a nice day.”

When I head out of the building, I look around for Rogue, but don’t see him standing in front of the humanities building anymore.

“What the…”

“Eriu,” someone calls, and I freeze in place.

That rugged, masculine timbre sends a shiver down my body. I’d recognize that voice anywhere.

“Devlin?” I utter in absolute relief, spinning on my heels to find him standing there in one piece.

A short-sleeved black t-shirt accentuates every single hard square of muscle on his arms. My throat goes dry as he nears with a half-smile.

“Heard you were looking for me.”

My face twists with aggravation. “Where have you been?”

I shove him hard on his chest, but the man doesn’t even move an inch, simply stares at me with amusement meeting the tendrils of his blue eyes.

I go on, completely annoyed that he hasn’t so much as apologized. “I called you yesterday and left you a text to find out what happened with Mason, but you never got back to me. I thought you were dead!”

The gash on his forehead still remains covered, but he looks fine overall.

Inhaling deeply, he slices away at the distance between us, his eyes tenderly boring into mine. “I’m sorry I worried you, love.”

And just like that, my annoyance disappears.

His knuckles brush down my cheek, and I close my eyes, feeling it everywhere. It’s been forever since he touched me last.

His lips jerk, and his eyes deepen with mine. “My phone broke yesterday, and I had to get a new one. Your message never came through.”

“Oh.” I swallow nervously from the hooded way he stares at me, eyes raking over my face, dropping to my lips before they climb back up. “What are you doing here? Where’s Rogue?”

“You won’t be needing him anymore.”

“What? Why? Are you back?”

“Aye. Nothing can keep me away from you any longer.”

What is he doing to me, saying things like that? It’s already hard enough to know he has feelings for me and that we can’t be together.

“But the doctor said you need rest.”

My reminder only makes him chuckle dryly. “I’ve had enough of that. Saw him yesterday and he said I could return back to work.” He gives me a crooked smile that drops right into my belly. “Doc called me a stubborn mule, but said as long as I don’t get myself blown up again, I’ll be fine.”

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