Page 104 of Filthy Savage

“You too.”

He seems like a nice kid. Maybe around thirteen or so.

“Alright, I promised my wife and daughter a ride.” Fionn jerks on the horse’s rope.

His wife. My God, why does that sound so good? Though I know I shouldn’t like it, I really do.

“Have fun, you guys!” Elara waves as we start down the grass, miles and miles of beautiful green land up ahead.

He gets the horse to go a little faster while Cillian walks Fia’s pony, making sure she’s sitting upright.

“One of these days…” Fionn tells me. “I’m gonna show you just what she’s capable of.” He glides a hand down her mane.

As we continue down, I stare out at all the mountains ahead, enjoying myself and realizing I could really get used to living here and finally having a family.

It’s what I’ve always wanted, isn’t it?

CHAPTER 26

AMARA

That night,we tuck Fia into her bed in her new room, one he had apparently set up for her. He even had some clothes picked out. He’s managed to get everything she needs just so she’s not without anything, even for one day.

“Goodnight, baby.” I kiss her forehead before it’s Fionn’s turn.

“Goodnight, princess.” He presses a kiss to her temple. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I can’t get over how sweet he is with her. How he just fell into this role without missing a beat.

Just as we’re about to leave, she asks, “Are you my daddy now?”

The question completely startles me. How do I answer her? The truth is too hard for a child her age to comprehend.

Fionn, though? He’s not even fazed.

“I am,” he says. “Is that okay?”

My pulse instantly spikes. I can’t believe he just said that without talking to me first!

Fia’s brows tug before she hits him with a bright grin. “Yes. You’re nice.”

He smirks. “Your mother thinks so too. Right, little rabbit?”

He wraps his strong arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. Fia’s vision darts between us, and for a moment, it feels like we’re a family. Arealfamily.

I want to be mad at him for not consulting with me before telling her he’s her father. But I can’t find it in me to be upset. Not anymore. Even if he isn’t her bio dad, he wants to be, and that’s enough.

My own father abandoned me. My mother treated me like shit. Blood means nothing.

“Okay, kid, you need to go to bed,” he says to her.

“Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Daddy.”

He sucks in a breath and his eyes fill with unspoken emotion, and that only makes it harder not to care for him. His jaw clenches as he tucks her in with the pale pink blanket he bought her.

“Goodnight.” He chokes on the word.

“I love you,” she whispers.

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