Page 117 of Ruthless Savage

“Well, at first, I was considering it. For a second. The opportunity for our families was decent. But he was too much of a slimebag. Instead of telling his father the engagement was off, I let it continue. I needed you to finally man up and marry my daughter because there’s no one in this world who can love and care for her the way you do. I know that in my gut. I just needed you to know that too.”

Emotions punch in my throat, and I blink faster to hide it all, too consumed with it. He actually believes I’m right for her. That I, Devlin McHale, am right for his daughter.

“I have to admit, son, I was losing faith in you, but then I heard about poor Mason’s accident.” He smirks and shakes his head. “You know, the one where he lost his hand?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, sir.” The corner of my mouth jerks.

“Of course not.” He feigns a serious expression.

“Mason, of course, told his father there was a burglary. The cameras were all conveniently disconnected too. No witnesses except good old Mason.”

“How’s he doing?” Mirth sets in my tone. “Must be terrible not to be able to use his right hand.”

“Poor lad. Must’ve done something to deserve it.”

“Aye.” I glare. “He won’t be touching my wife again.”

“Again?” Patrick presses a fist to the edge of the desk, a glare tight on his face. “Bet your arse he won’t. I shoulda killed him just for being a shite.”

“It’s over now.” I nod. “But speaking of Mason, there’s something else you need to know.”

I rehash the stuff with the Palmers, the name Camora found on the bank account, and its connection to Mason.

“How the hell did we miss this snake in the grass? What could he be up to with them?”

“I have no clue. Not yet. It might have something to do with Eriu. But Grant’s still looking.”

“What are we gonna do with him in the meantime?”

“Let’s wait before we get rid of him. We tell him the marriage is off and see what he does and who he talks to, then we see if the money continues. I wanna catch Palmer. I want to kill him and his sons. And anyone who works for him. Until they stop coming.”

Patrick angles in close. “I’m on board with that. I will make the call to Mason’s father.”

“No.” I incline my chin. “How about I do the honors? I’ll even bring him a get well soon card.”

Patrick chuckles, shaking his head. “You crazy son of a bitch. Alright. Do it. Then tell me all about it.”

“Aye.” I start to rise, heading for the door.

“And, Devlin?” he calls, and I turn back to him.

“Yeah?”

“I always saw you as one of my sons. Now it’s gonna be official.”

Feckin’ hell. I can’t bloody cry in front of this man.

“Thank you.”

“Does she know yet?”

“No, but I intend to go home after talking to that prick and tell her. But I was thinking, and maybe this is stupid, but can we have the wedding here? And maybe it can be a surprise?”

His eyes soften. “Well, I assumed you’d have it here. Of course. And the surprise? I like it! I’ll speak to Fernanda. She’s gonna have this place turned into a fancy wedding in a week. Think you can handle that?”

A week. Hell, what’s a week when I’ll get to spend the rest of my life with her?

“Yeah, I think I can.”

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