Page 57 of Ruthless Savage

“No, you don’t. I’ll be in touch.”

He ends the call, and I slip the phone back into my pocket, leaning my head against the headrest.

This has to work. If her father doesn’t see what a big mistake he’s making, then I’ll do everything I can to protect her myself.

Except marry her.

CHAPTER 14

ERIU

Karen stuffs a tortilla chip in her mouth while Kayla takes a bite of her burrito. I sip on my strawberry smoothie, happy to be out to dinner with both of my friends.

I haven’t done anything since the incident with Mason a few days ago. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him and what he plans to do to me.

The things he could say about me to everyone would humiliate not only me, but my father and our family. But I just don’t know what else to do. If I don’t lose my virginity, I’ll have to lose it to him, and I won’t allow that man to touch me.

Shivers erupt across my skin, like tiny spiders scurrying up my flesh.

Luckily, I haven’t heard from Mason since that day. I also haven’t spoken to Devlin at all since then. Of course, he still follows me, but he refuses to have a conversation of any kind. It’s as though he’s ignoring me.

But what else is new? I should be used to it by now. It’s like whenever we get just a little closer, he pulls even further away. Those moments at the diner, the way he fed me… I can’t seem to forget them. Those memories keep me warm at night when I’m at my loneliest.

“I seriously cannot believe Mason told you he’s gonna take you to the doctor to check your virginity. Eww.” Karen’s face twists, her features warping with disgust.

I’ve filled both Kayla and Karen in about what happened that day. I wasn’t going to. I knew Kayla would worry and Karen would tell me how I needed to lose my virginity, and I didn’t want to hear it. Not then.

But now that I’ve had time to process it all, I think she’d be right. I just wish there was someone I could lose it to. Someone I actually had feelings for. Like Devlin…

“I swear, he’s so lucky he didn’t say that in front of me,” she continues, dipping another chip in some guacamole. “I would have punched him in the face.”

“Would’ve paid to see that happen.” Kayla laughs before her eyes grow tense. “He hasn’t hurt you, right? Because if he has, you have to tell me.”

Something in her gaze turns darker, and I almost feel a chill in the air.

“No.” I shake my head. “He hasn’t.”

Not yet… Not in the way I know he plans to.

“At least Devlin broke his finger.” Karen grins at Kayla. “There is a God, after all.”

We all laugh, though none of this is funny. After what Devlin did, Mason’s going to be even angrier, and he’s going to take it out on me.

Mason is not the right one for me. In fact, he’s not the right one for anybody. The sight of him makes me want to vomit.

“I can’t do this.” I throw my face into my hands.

“It’s why I’ve told you losing your virginity is the best way to get out of this engagement.”

I look up at her, my heart beating so fast at the thought of spending my life with a man who will never love me. It hurts so much I can barely breathe.

I can just see it now. Unhappy. Crying. Afraid.

Why is this happening to me? I’m not a bad person.

I close my eyes, and all I see is Devlin. The way he protected me from Mason, the way he always protects me. I’m always safe with him. That’s what I want in a husband. Why can’t my father see that?

“You don’t need to lose your virginity if you don’t want to,” Kayla adds. “You’re in control of your body and your future.”

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