Page 160 of Ruthless Savage

“Please?” She glances at me, leading me out of the room and past the foyer. “Just ten minutes, then you can tell me to fuck off, okay?”

“Fine.” A woosh of a breath leaves my lungs.

We make it out to the back of the estate, the perfectly manicured lawn smelling as though just freshly cut.

Lights illuminate the vast property as we start away from the towering mansion.

“I hate beating around the bush, Eriu. I hate not being able to speak my mind with you like I always have. And you have always listened to me, so please…” She turns to me and takes my hand. “Listen to me now. Okay?”

I nod, glancing down at my feet, my heart beating faster. Part of me doesn’t want to hear it, but another part wonders if my big sister can maybe help me somehow. I hold on to that hope as we settle on a bench, both staring out into the darkness.

“I know how much this hurts. How badly it feels to be betrayed by someone you opened up to. Someone you considered your best friend. You were there when my own friend betrayed me. You know what I did. What I had to do. So when I say I know what you are going through, I mean that.”

She’s right. She does. I haven’t even thought about how similar our situations are.

“At least Karen felt remorse,” she continues. “She was forced into this, and of course that’s horrible too. But she did love you.” She faces me now. “It’s okay to love her and hate her at the same time.”

An ache stings behind my eyes.

“And I know you must wrestle with all these emotions, seeing her everywhere, in everything you do, because that’s what happened to me. But if you can’t talk to us, then you have to talk to someone.” She reaches into her jeans pocket and retrieves a card, handing it to me. “She’s a therapist. I vetted her before I saw her myself.”

“You went to a therapist?” My eyes grow.

My sister was always against shrinks. Our mom’s death hit her hard, still does, but she never wanted to talk about it.

“It was Elsie’s idea, actually, and she was right. I feel lighter somehow, like I’m not holding on to this baggage that was weighing me down, you know?”

I start to consider it…

“Can I tell this therapist the truth?”

“That’s the best part. You can. She works at Helping Hand, and she’s discreet.”

Maybe I should give it a try. What could it hurt? If it doesn’t help, then I don’t go back.

“How long did it take for you to feel better?”

“Everyone’s different. You have to give it time, and you have to be honest.”

I straighten my spine. “I’ll go.”

She breathes a sigh. “Proud of you.” Her hand squeezes mine. “Now, how about we go and get at least a little buzzed, because this heavy shit isn’t my forte.”

“I think you’re doing just fine,” I say as we get to our feet. “Maybe Gio is rubbing off on you.”

“He wishes.”

DEVLIN

I watched as Eriu left with Iseult, and I knew she was going to talk to her like she said she would. I just hope it works. I want my wife back.

Tynan tosses back what may be his sixth drink already.

“Told ya this was coming,” I tease, throwing a piece of bacon into my mouth.

“Don’t gloat, asshole.”

Fionn and Cillian walk over, Gio following them.

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