Page 22 of Filthy Savage

CHAPTER 6

AMARA

As soon asthe ceremony is over, Fionn disappears for a few minutes before he makes his way toward me. He slips his hand through mine, holding it tight as we stride into the cocktail hour as though we’re together.

There are less than a hundred guests here, yet it’s still overwhelming for me to be around so many people I don’t know.

“Gonna introduce you to the rest of my family before they start introducing themselves,” he jokes just as a tall redhead struts our way.

Her bright crimson gown fits her like a glove, her chin hiked up as she starts closer. She’s got this aura of power around her, like with one look, she’d kill anyone standing in her way.

In fact, looking around the tented cocktail reception area, I find most of the people here to be powerful-looking. A chill skitters down my spine, but I ignore it. Must be the money.

“Who’s that?” I whisper to him just as the woman and I make eye contact, her mouth curling into a salacious grin.

“My sister Iseult. I’d say she’s all bark and no bite, but I’d be lying.”

Before I can ask what that even meant, she’s right in front of us, holding out a champagne flute for me.

“Thank you.” I take it just as her eyes dance to her brother’s, giving him an expression I can’t decipher.

“Got yourself a secret girlfriend you forgot to tell us about?” Her face twists playfully, and he grows irate…though from the look on her, that was exactly what she wanted.

I stifle a laugh.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he mutters, and those words sting even when they shouldn’t.

Of course I’m not, nor will I ever be.

“What do you want, Iseult?” he continues, clearly needing her to stop.

“Just came to say hi to my favorite brother and his date. Didn’t even know you were bringing one.”

“Didn’t know I needed your permission.” He smirks. “And you don’t have a favorite brother.”

“That’s whatyouthink.” She winks, focusing on me this time.

I reach out my hand for hers. “I’m Emily. We actually just met.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m one of his sisters. There’s quite a lot of us in the family, but don’t worry, we’re all friendly.” A slow-growing smile widens on her lips. “Most of the time.”

Laughing nervously, I glance at Fionn, tension thick in his features. It’s obvious his sister enjoys torturing him. It would’ve been so much fun growing up with someone like her.

When I get older, I want to have lots of children so they never feel alone.

“Well, I hope we see more of you, Emily.” Her eyes play before she’s peering over at an irritated Fionn. She laughs as she leans closer toward me, whispering into my ear. “My brother has never introduced us to a woman until now.”

Before I can wonder what she was attempting to mean by that, he’s pulling me away.

“Let’s go get a table. Bye, Iseult.”

She chuckles. “Don’t you worry. I’ll steal her away at some point tonight and fill her in on all your darkest secrets.”

He scoffs. “Pretty sure you’ve got more of those than I do.”

“True. But I’m not the one she’s sleeping with.”

“We’re not—ugh,” I stammer, but she’s already marching out of view.

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