Page 58 of Ruthless Savage

I nod, while Karen’s face falls.

“Look, I know I don’t always give the best advice and you probably think I’m ridiculous and super slutty?—”

“I don’t think that.” I take her hand in mine. “I think you’re brave and amazing and I wish I was more like you all the time.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet.” She pouts. “But let me finish, okay?” Her expression grows sincere. “You’re one of the best people I know, and I want you to be happy because you deserve that. It’s why I think you have to lose your virginity, because that is how you’ll be rid of that horrible guy. I know losing your virginity at the club probably sounds like an insane idea, but I don’t know what other option you have.”

That’s because it is insane. I can’t do that. How can I?

But how can you marry Mason?

Her eyes fill with the same sadness that’s currently ripping through my chest.

“Devlin seriously won’t help you?” Kayla asks. “Have you tried begging?” Her brows pinch with a melancholy smile.

“I’ve tried everything I can think of.”

“Damn hardheaded idiot.”

“That’s why I think you have to do this at the club.” Karen’s attention zaps between us. “It’s like the perfect place. If you don’t do it there, then you have to do it with someone else, and that would be way harder. But at least there, you’ll have a mask on and no one will know it’s you.”

Except the owner…

“Do you know who runs the club?” I ask, and her eyes immediately pop.

“Why…”

“I—I think I met him that night.” I shift uncomfortably. “And I think he knew me.”

“Wait, what?!”

I don’t wanna tell her that he definitely knew who I was. I don’t think I’m ready to fully admit it to myself either.

“Wait, he talked to you?” Her mouth pops, and she looks horrified.

“Yes, why?” I quirk a brow.

“Oh, God!” she whispers, resting her forearms on the table as she leans closer. “Okay, don’t freak out, but I heard from Adam that the owners of the club are Russian Mafia.”

“What?!” I shriek, practically jumping out of my seat.

A few curious eyes go to me and I give them an apologetic smile, trying to temper the strain of my quickened heartbeats.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?! I would have never gone!”

“Okay, guys, that’s dangerous.” Kayla leans back, concern fitting her features.

But I know she would never break my confidence and tell anyone about any of this. I trust her with my whole heart.

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Karen adds. “Who cares who owns the club? Not like we’re doing anything that could get us killed.”

“Oh my God…”

I can’t believe this. The Russian Mafia…

Then again, I am the daughter of an Irish mobster. And now it makes sense why the owner knew who I was.

There’s no way I can go back there now. And the fact that I was even thinking about it is insane.

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