Page 2 of Filthy Savage

“I hate you,” I cry with a whisper, my bare shoulders shaking. “I hate you so damn much.”

He laughs, smiling as a couple passes us, the woman’s brow creasing.

“Stop embarrassing yourself and grow up,” he whisper-shouts. “I’m a man. I have needs. And you’ve never been one to excite me. Gotta think about other women when I’m fucking you.”

I sniffle. “How can you say that?”

He chuckles under his breath, shattering the rest of my soul. “At least that chick can fuck. And she sure as hell knows how to suck dick.”

Fat tears stream down my face. I wish I could leave this island and run far away from him. From my life. From everything that hurts.

“Give me my plane ticket.” I swipe my fingertips under my eyes. “I’m going back home.”

His snicker radiates down my body, digging into my skin. “You’re not getting shit. We’re leaving tomorrow, and not a moment earlier. I don’t want my friend to think we’re having problems.”

I’m the one laughing now. “Why would you wanna be with someone you don’t even like? You’re a joke, Xander. I’m done with you.”

My eyes pop.

I can’t believe I just said that.

Don’t know where that bout of courage came from or if it’s here to stay, but I meant every word.

The tip of my nose burns as I look into the eyes of the man who once swore he loved me.

Now? There’s nothing there. Except lies.

I should’ve ended things months ago. It’s hard to explain why I clung to something that wasn’t there. Will never be there. He’ll never be who I want him to be.

He chuckles dryly, grabbing my arm until I wince. “We’re over whenIdecide we are. Now shut your fucking mouth and let’s go back inside before people wonder what’s taking so long.”

“Let go of me!” I attempt to fight him off, but he only squeezes his fingers tighter.

“Suddenly got a big mouth on you, huh?” His eyes scan my body, covered in a pale blue sundress that hits my knees. “Maybe I should take you back to our room and show you what happens when you talk back to me.” He grabs a single strap and starts lowering it.

I gasp, fear taking hold as I yank it back up. He’s never taken me against my will, but right now, there’s something dark in his eyes. Something sinister.

“Don’t touch me.” Terror crawls up my spine, my pulse quickening. “I’m leaving now.”

“No, you’re not.” His fingers cinch until my skin throbs. “You’ll never leave me. You’re like a leech.”

“I—”

“Get your fucking hands off of her.” The sudden deep, growly voice of a stranger behind him causes me to jerk, my eyes expanding.

When I glance past Xander’s shoulder, I find a tall, intense man. His eyes are so green, I can practically see the ocean if I stare just hard enough.

My stomach flips. Maybe from fear. Maybe from something more I don’t yet understand.

He catches my gaze for a moment, eyes falling to my trembling mouth before he zeroes his irate attention on my boyfriend.

Xander drops his hold on me, looking the stranger up and down. I don’t know why he isn’t afraid. This man is huge, a good seven or eight inches bigger than him. His tuxedo swells with the ripples of his bulging biceps, his chest wide and powerful.

A sudden feeling of protection wafts over me, like a safety net of some kind, though that makes no sense. This man is no hero in my story. No one ever is.

The stranger’s eyes go to mine once again, his thick chestnut brows tight, and for a moment, it feels as though there’s concern there.

My heart lurches.

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