Page 21 of Filthy Savage

“Hey, sweetheart,” his father says. “Want to introduce you to Fionn’s date, Emily.”

“Emily.” The woman’s face is warm and kind as she looks me up and down. “It’s so nice to meet you, and you look exceptional.”

Her arms wrap around me and my eyes close, feeling the warmth of the embrace everywhere. I bet she’s a good mother.

I brush those thoughts away as Fionn says, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t worry about her.” Fernanda grins. “Us girls will be just fine.”

He gives me one last glance before he’s heading toward the men I saw with him earlier, when he was ready to kill Xander.

“So…” Fernanda settles back down and pats the seat beside her. “How did you two meet?”

I’m not sure how much to tell her, but then again, why not? What difference would it make? I have no plans of seeing her or Fionn ever again after I head back home.

“Well…” I play with my nails, nerves hitting my gut. “We just met a few hours ago.”

“Oh! I have to hear this story.” She swings toward me, eagerly waiting for me to start.

My body tenses. “I was here with my boyfriend until…well…”

My pulse beats louder in my ears.

Just say it. It’s okay.

Her features tighten.

“Until Fionn saw him grabbing me, and he…he intercepted and kicked him out. And here we are.” A nervous laugh bubbles out.

Her face grows concerned. “That boy usually hurt you?”

My eyes close for a moment while she drags in a long, shallow breath.

“I know I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but I understand.” She places a comforting hand on my forearm. “Before I married Pat, I was married to a cruel man who hurt me any chance he got.”

Tears form as I concentrate on her, mouth pinched, clearly trying to mask her own pain.

“I never wanted to marry him. My mother forced me into it and I had no choice. Divorcing wasn’t an option, either. I couldn’t get away from him, and every day I prayed I could. The point is, if you have a chance to escape, take it from me, do it before it’s too late. Don’t go back to him. Ever.” She takes my hand and squeezes it. “You’re young. Beautiful. You have your whole life to look forward to. Don’t let this guy take it all from you, you hear me?”

With the backs of my fingers, I wipe under my eyes, nodding.

I know she’s right. Of course she is. But hearing her say it out loud… It really brought out all this festering pain to the surface.

I wish I had a mother like her. Someone I could talk to. Someone who could give me advice or even just listen.

“Let me.” She removes a handkerchief from her handbag and gently pats under my eyes. “Wouldn’t want you smudging this beautiful makeup. Did you do it yourself?”

“Oh God, no.” I grimace. “Fionn arranged it.”

“Did he now?” Her brows rise with a smirk.

“Yeah.” I let out a nervous giggle. “He was just being nice.”

“Right.” She nods. “Nice. Except I just never knew him to care this much about a woman before.”

As soon as I try to respond, the ceremony begins.

When I look out, Fionn’s eyes catch mine, and I start to hope that there’s some truth to what Fernanda just said.

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