Page 97 of Ruthless Savage

The boss lowers his hand, and I breathe a sigh when the gun is no longer ready to kill me. But we’re screwed. Devlin must know that.

The owner glances around the room, at all the people in fear for their lives, and he grins. “Ladies and gentlemen, you must excuse this awful interruption. I promise to make it up to you, and we shall start right now. I think that will put us all in a good mood.”

His tone is sinister, and my fear only grows.

“Our friend here has feelings for that woman on stage, the one who was about to sell her most prized possession. Now it’s his.” His laugh rakes at my skin. “And neither of them will be going anywhere until he claims it.”

“What?” I peer at Esther, who shushes me.

What does he mean, claims it?

“I have decided to change the rules of the game, though. This one time, due to my friend’s lack of manners…” He narrows his glare at Devlin. “You’ll all get to watch as this beautiful girl’s virginity is taken. Right here on stage.”

“No!” I gasp, my body shaking, my feet backing off.

But Esther is there, snapping her fingers around my forearm, keeping me where I am.

“You’re not going anywhere,” she whisper-shouts. “You do as the boss says or you die.”

“I—I can’t do this,” I cry.

“You don’t have a choice.” There’s no compassion in her tone. She doesn’t care.

No one here does. No one but Devlin.

“I’m not doing it.” Devlin’s eyes fill with rage. “You’re gonna have to kill me, Konstantin.”

Konstantin. Even his name sounds terrifying. I don’t miss the fact that they know each other.

“If you insist,” Konstantin muses. “But I will start with her, and I will make it brutal. So choose.”

Then he’s pointing the gun at me again, and tears well in my eyes, my breaths heaving.

“No!” I shake my head. “Please don’t kill me!”

“Daragaya…” He gives me what one would describe as a tender look, but he’s all devil. “I’m not the one killing you. He is.” His attention snaps to Devlin. “You’re in my fucking world now. So choose. Do what I said, or I kill you both.”

“You’re a feckin’ sick bastard!” Devlin grits.

“I do enjoy the occasional compliment. But now is not the time.” He inclines his chin, and his men grab Devlin. “My employees are bringing a sofa for your comfort. I cannot wait for the show.”

A few seconds later, the curtains at the far end of the stage part as two men drag a blue velvet sofa out and place it in the center of the stage. One of them tosses a small box on top of it, and I can tell it’s condoms.

My blood curdles. How will I do this? How can I?

My first time in front of all these people, and with Devlin? Oh my God. Everything is a mess.

“Let’s go!” Konstantin howls, a vein popping in his temple.

The men shove Devlin forward, and even through the mask, I look at him, silently praying that we both make it out of here alive.

“Feck!” Devlin snaps, because he knows we don’t have a choice.

Only a few feet remain between us, then he’s climbing up the steps.

Konstantin jerks his head at Esther, and she disappears behind the stage.

“Eriu…” He takes my hands in his. “I’m so bloody sorry.”

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