Page 50 of Ruthless Savage

“I want you to know that you’re not alone.” A line forms between her eyes. “It’s hard being a young woman in today’s world. But you’re a strong, capable woman who can accomplish whatever you want. The path you set for yourself is yours to take. You’re the driver. No one else.” She grabs my hand and squeezes. “Don’t let anyone steal your shine, Eriu Quinn.”

I nod, knowing that Mason will suck all the joy from my life. He will suck every drop of my willpower and talent until I have nothing left to give.

“Are you married?” I ask her.

We’ve never discussed her personal life, so I have no idea if she even has kids.

“No.” She shakes her head and scrunches her nose. “I never had any desire to settle down with just one person.”

“I get it.” I bow my head.

“Is your father making you get married?”

I raise my eyes to hers and nod.

“Oh, God.” She rolls her eyes. “You’re just a child! That is outrageous. Is this an arranged marriage situation?”

I nod again. I shouldn’t be saying anything to her, but who would she tell? She knows nothing of my family, and it’s not like I’m a minor. Even if she Googled me, she’d find nothing. My family looks clean on paper.

“It’ll be okay.” I shake it off and bear a grin. “My father means well, and the guy he chose for me isn’t too bad.”

I almost sound believable.

“You can’t lie to me.” She runs a hand through her shoulder-length brown hair, giving me a comforting look. “You should tell him it’s not what you want. Stand firm.”

“Yeah, I’ll try that.” I almost laugh, because that wouldn’t matter to my father. “I should go. I need to grab some food before my next class.”

“Of course.” She reaches into her briefcase. “Before you go, I have a few more craft books for you on different writing techniques that you may find interesting.”

She hands me a set of three, and I grow giddy with excitement.

“I can’t wait to read them. Thank you so much!”

“You’re my best student. I want to watch you succeed. Just don’t tell the others I said that.” She laughs. “Now go, get out of here. I have papers to grade.”

I rise to my feet with the biggest grin. “Okay. See you next week.”

“Yes. Bye now.”

With my bag slung over my shoulder, I head out of the building and toward my car, hoping to grab some off-campus food. But when I reach my vehicle, I find an unwelcome surprise.

Mason stands there, leaning against the driver’s side, his eyes flashing with visible rage. “Where you been? Your class has been over for a while.”

Does he have my schedule?

Nausea churns in my gut, and my insides curl from fear.

How can I marry this man?

Maybe the professor was right. Maybe I can make my father see reason.

“Uh…hi? What are you doing here?”

My pulse hammers from his icy glare. How quickly can I make him leave?

“I’m your husband. I don’t need permission to see you.”

Breathe.

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