Page 133 of Ruthless Savage

“Hey, Eriu. How’s that assignment going?” Her brown eyes gleam. “I know it was a tough one, but I have no doubt you’re going to come up with an amazing short story, like you always do.”

“Thank you. It’s getting there. I did want to discuss next semester with you.”

“Please tell me you’re not dropping out of writing.” She shuts her laptop. “Because I swear if your father is giving you a hard time again, I will speak to him. Tell him how talented you are. It’s a shame to let all that talent go to waste. I’m sure he’s not that stubborn.”

I scrunch my nose. “You’ve never met my father. But actually, he approves of me switching majors to writing.”

“Wow. Great news! And the engagement? Has he changed his mind about that too?”

My lips spread. “He has.”

“Well, look at you making moves. I’m proud of you.”

“It wasn’t all me. I have good people in my corner.”

She nods contemplatively. “Having the right people makes all the difference. As far as my class next semester, I will always have a spot for you.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without your support.”

We spend the next few minutes discussing my assignment and where I plan to go with it. She listens like she always does and offers fresh perspectives.

When my phone vibrates with a text, I find that it’s my sister, wanting me to meet her at a store in the city. My father and Fernanda are having a party tomorrow for Dad’s birthday, and it’s black tie. But I have no desire to go. A party is the last thing on my mind, especially with those people still after Devlin and me. But I know my sister is not gonna let this go.

So I say goodbye to the professor and head outside toward Devlin, who’s standing right at the door of the building.

He stares at me, a twitch of a smirk appearing.

“What?” I ask him, my cheeks heating up from his deep perusal.

“Nothing. Just admiring my future wife.”

My body spreads with tingles. Every time he refers to marriage or me being his wife, I can’t help getting all giddy at the thought. He hasn’t asked me or anything, but it sounds like it’s on his mind.

“My sister texted. She wants me to meet her at the Dior store.” I roll my eyes. “For Dad’s party tomorrow. I’m being forced to buy a new dress.”

He laughs and tugs my chin into his face, giving me a quick kiss. “I don’t know, love. I like the idea of you in a new dress. Something else I can rip off of you.”

My face heats up.

His chuckling rises as he slips his hand into mine and leads me to his SUV. He helps me in, and when he’s setting the car to drive, his palm clasps around my upper thigh.

Now, suddenly, buying a new dress doesn’t sound all that bad.

We arrive at my father’s estate by the next evening. Acres of property have been transformed into a lavish affair. Twinkling lights hang over trees, like a myriad of tiny stars outbound in the endless sky.

A band plays a rock song I don’t know, people already dancing with glasses of alcohol in their hands.

There’s more food here than anyone ever needs, but it’s how I grew up: always having more of everything. I never took any of it for granted, though. I don’t know what it was, but even from a young age, I knew not everyone was as lucky as we were—with money, anyway. We’re definitely not lucky about many other things.

I run my palms down my ivory mermaid lace dress. I have no idea why I agreed to it, but once Iseult saw me in it, I swear she cried. Or maybe something was in her eye. In either case, she wouldn’t let me leave the store without it.

Who needs a dress this fancy for my dad’s birthday, and why in the world are we even having his party a month before? But Dad said he won’t be here for it then, so Fernanda planned this crazy event.

“Having fun?” Iseult shimmies beside me.

“It looks nice, but since when is Dad into fancy crap for his birthday?”

Iseult throws an arm over my shoulders. “You know Fernanda loves to throw a party. I’m sure she convinced Dad.”

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