Page 33 of Ruthless Savage

“I…”

“That’s a good thing.” His thumb massages me right above my kneecap, and disgust fills my gut. “It’s what I want in a wife. I have no use for a whore.”

My heart drums louder until my body and my head all feel like they’re going to explode.

That would be a relief.

“You will remain a virgin until we’re married. Do you understand me?” He pops my chin with a finger, forcing me to look into his eyes that have no kindness within them. “I know you’re in college and around guys all the time.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.” I swallow thickly.

“Not even that bodyguard?” He hikes a brow.

“Devlin? No!”

I wish…

“Good.” His leery grin sends my pulse into a chaotic rhythm.

“Will you be faithful to me?”

I don’t think he will. He doesn’t appear like the type of man who would be.

“Of course. It was one of your father’s requirements, and I always stick to my end of the bargain.”

“What will this marriage get you?”

“Is having you not enough?” He laughs sarcastically.

“I know I’m not the reason. I’m not naïve.”

He scoffs. “That’s a good thing too. Don’t want a stupid wife either.”

My body shivers. There’s cruelty right behind those eyes. He doesn’t even need to hide it.

He leans back and outstretches his arms around the top of the sofa. “With your family’s connections, we can expand even more and get permits we need much easier. And with our connections, your family can get property for more underground casinos they want to open across the world. We can get them access to land they couldn’t get without us. It’s a win-win for both sides.”

Yeah, everyone except me.

DEVLIN

My rage has me reeling, unable to utter a fecking word. Afraid what will come out of it.

I can’t believe this is who Patrick found for her. That bastard was about to get himself killed for staring at me like he owned her.

Eriu is mine. She’ll always be mine. He’ll never have her the way I do.

Mason is a rat. Nothing more than skin and bones with money. His father is the one who worked his entire life, coming from nothing. His son is poison. He’s heavy into gambling and whores. Patrick has to know that.

This makes no sense. Why would he choose someone like that for his daughter?

“May we talk?” I ask him while Eriu is stuck in a room with that arsehole.

“Sure. Come on in.”

He leads me into his office, and I shut the door behind me.

“Sit, please.” He settles on the chair behind his desk.

---