Page 29 of Ruthless Savage

I shake my head in response. “I know you’re hiding something from me.”

He doesn’t even deny it. His jaw visibly clenches, and that’s all the confirmation I need. Devlin has never been a liar. Even when he doesn’t want to tell me the truth, he just won’t say anything instead.

My phone vibrates, and I discover a text from my sister.

Finally.

Iseult

No one told me about any meeting. But don’t worry, I’m heading to Boston. Just told Gio I’m gonna surprise Daddy. Bet he forgot my invitation.

I laugh aloud before I reply.

Eriu

I’m scared it means he found someone for me. I can’t marry a man I don’t even know. Please, Iseult. Find out what’s going on before I get there.

Iseult

Look, if our darling father found you a husband, I’ll make sure the guy becomes permanently tied up. You get me?

Eriu

Um. I think so? But I don’t actually wanna write that in a text.

Iseult

Smart girl. Now, listen. You don’t have to worry. You won’t marry anyone you don’t like. You make the rules. Fuck our father and fuck whoever he may have found for you. Got it?

Eriu

I love you. I don’t say that enough.

Iseult

I love you too. Always. Now let me drive, because I’m going too fast, and if I die, Gio is gonna kill me.

Eriu

Yeah, don’t die. I need my sister. See you in a few hours.

I slip the phone back in my handbag. Iseult won’t be here for the meeting. No way she’ll make it on time, no matter how fast she drives. Not that I want her in danger. I just need her. She’s the only one on my side.

All the men I’m surrounded by—my brothers, Devlin, my dad—all they care about is honor and doing the right thing. I don’t care about that.

All I want is to fall in love like in the books I read. I want my pulse to flutter, my body to grow weak. I want to be nervous my first time, I want to feel my heart soaring. I don’t want my marriage to be a contractual negotiation between my father and some man he’s chosen.

But do girls like me really have options? Even with Iseult’s reassurances, will my father bend?

She can’t possibly murder my future husband.

Can she?

My heart sinks as soon as we step out of the car and head up the cobblestone steps to my father’s home.

One of the guards welcomes us into the large foyer of the mansion, a sparkling chandelier hanging above the cathedral ceiling, filled with paintings of angels floating in a vivid blue sky.

My father is grandiose in his décor. There are various Renaissance paintings throughout his house. He has an unhealthy obsession with that era. The furniture is similarly styled, gold and old-fashioned, but still beautiful.

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