Page 52 of Ruthless Savage

He still has my hand in a tight grip as she struts away, and I’m afraid he’ll cause a scene if I yank it away. I pass a glance at Devlin, who’s staring at us with a predatory glare, his gaze bouncing to our hands.

“Stop looking at him,” Mason barks.

I dash my attention to him immediately, finding his face twisted with rage.

My own anger shoots through me, and I bite down hard to stop myself from having an anxiety attack. “Why are you really here? Are you spying on me?”

My heart races almost out of my chest from my bravery. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who appreciates being questioned.

“Now, is that how a fiancée talks to her future husband?” He jerks my hand closer to his until I feel my shoulder pull.

When I groan, there’s a satisfied look on his face.

“I’m gonna make a few changes once we’re married,” he goes on. “For starters, you’re no longer gonna have that bodyguard watching you. I will have one of my family guards on your detail. At all times. I’m also going to tell your father that I want to move the wedding up. Why wait?”

Nausea hits my gut.

Nonono. This can’t be happening.

My pulse drums faster until I grow lightheaded. He keeps talking, but I just can’t be here anymore. I’m gonna pass out.

He leans in as he says, “A few days before the wedding, I will take you to my family doctor and have you checked to make sure your virginity is still intact. And if it's not, we're done, do you understand me? If someone else has touched you before I do, I will destroy you. I will paint you as a whore, and no one will want you.”

My chest rises with quickened inhales as I peek at him breathlessly.

His eyes narrow, irises turning darker as he takes me in with revulsion.

I will not allow him to demean me this way. I yank my hand out of his grasp.

“That’s insane,” I snap with a whisper-shout. “I will do no such thing.”

With a mocking smirk, he roughly grabs my wrist until his fingers pinch around it. But before I can ask him to stop hurting me, Mason’s screaming in agony as Devlin bends his hand backward until his fingers look like they’re about to break.

With my hand released, I rub at where he’s hurt me as eyes from other patrons land on us.

“Um, is everything okay here?” our waitress asks.

“Oh, yeah. We’re fine.” Devlin grins. “Just teaching the fella how to be a gentleman. Isn’t that right?”

He stares at Mason, and when he doesn’t nod, he bends his hand some more. With a groan, Mason starts cooperating and nodding.

“Doing just fine here,” he spits through gritted teeth.

“Okay…” The waitress appears terrified. “But please end this before my manager calls the cops.”

“Not a problem. Almost done here.”

Her mouth trembles right before she stalks off in a hurry.

As soon as she’s gone, Devlin looks at me. “Did he hurt you?”

I nod.

Devlin’s entire face transforms, and I shudder. He leans in toward Mason’s face.

“Touch her like that again, and you’re gonna bloody well see what I’m gonna do to the rest of your hand.” Then, without another word, he bends one of his fingers hard until a popping sound is heard.

Mason starts to scream.

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