Page 127 of Filthy Savage

“Yeah, it’s been great. How about you? What did you study?”

My heart plummets.

Clearing my throat, I fidget with the fork in my hand, picking on a meatball. “Well, uh, I never went to college. I mean, I wanted to, of course.” My pulse quickens. “I wanted to become a paralegal.”

Everyone’s eyes are on me, and I swear my face is red as a tomato.

“Why didn’t you?” Iseult asks. “Go to college.”

Releasing a sigh, I go with the truth. “My mother wasn’t very supportive. She wanted me to work and be home with her instead. So she had me drop out my senior year and get a job.”

“And you still want to be a paralegal?” There’s a hard edge to Fionn’s tone, which causes me to look at him.

And what I find has my heartbeat thrumming. Every inch of his face is filled with rage.

Is he angry at me or my mother?

“Yeah. I mean, it’s what I’ve always wanted. Stupid, I know.”

His jaw tenses. “Why is it stupid?”

“Well, I have Fia now, and she’s my priority. She was from the moment I had her.”

“Aww,” Fernanda gushes, placing a hand on her chest. “You’re a good mom, but sometimes we have to also do things for ourselves. I’m sorry your mother was selfish.”

“She was a lot of things. Selfish was probably the least of my worries. But she was all I had, and I always hoped she would be a good mom to me.” I sag in my seat, embarrassed that I just said all that to a room full of strangers.

“We all want to see the best in our parents.” She sighs. “But as we get older, we realize they’re just people, and being a parent doesn’t make someone a good person.”

I know she’s right. But it doesn’t suck any less.

As the conversation shifts to something else, I still sense Fionn’s brooding energy beside me. When I take his hand in mine and squeeze, he returns it, releasing a heavy exhale. As I stare into his eyes, my pulse beats louder with every passing moment, feeling a sense of connection I can’t explain.

“I’m sorry your mother was such a damn disappointment.” His knuckles cascade down my cheek. “I promise to give you everything you’ve never had before.”

And as my heart skips a beat, he tugs my mouth to his and kisses me.

This kiss…it drifts into my very soul. Like he’s asking me to trust him. To trust this.

And right now, it almost feels like I can.

CHAPTER 31

FIONN

While she’sin the shower that evening, I play her words over and over, unable to stop this fucking rage from building inside me.

Her mother. That bitch. Should’ve done more than just put a bullet in her foot.

I grab the video monitor from our nightstand, staring at Fia sleeping in her bed, wondering how anyone can mistreat their own child. I’d do anything for this girl, and I just met her.

Balling a fist at my thigh, I drop the camera back, pulling my shirt off, the pants coming next. I head for the bathroom, needing Amara right now. Needing to tell her that the life she had, it’s in the past now.

I may not be able to fix what’s been done, but I’ll treat her right. I’ll give her everything.

The water buzzes behind the glass door as I head in.

She doesn’t see me, not at first. But when her eyes fasten to mine, she doesn’t hide from me, fingers running through her hair.

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