Page 144 of Filthy Savage

“I’d like that. We’re in West Sherwood.”

“Great.” Julius’s lips thin. “Take down my number.”

“Sure.” I grab my cell from my bag, and he shoots off his number. “Got it. Let me go ahead and give you mine too.”

He smiles as he retrieves his phone and saves it. “Well, I’ll let you guys get going. It was nice to meet you. Geez, I didn’t even get your name.”

“Amara.” I let out a sigh. “Amara Quinn.”

Fionn’s palm lands warmly on my thigh, like he enjoyed hearing me say that.

“Well, Amara, I look forward to getting to know you. And I’m sorry again.”

“It’s not your fault.”

He nods, releasing a rough exhale. “Anyway, get home safe.”

“It was good to meet you, Julius.”

He disappears in the rearview as our car pulls down the road.

When we’re a safe distance away, I let out a quick breath, reliving the painful minutes of meeting the man I wanted to meet all these years. Instead, he was just as bad as my mother. Just as cold and cruel. No wonder they got together.

Fury boils inside me. How could he treat me like that?

Curling a fist at my side to steady my emotions, I notice Fionn’s bloody knuckles. When I see him this way, it’s like a reminder of who he is and how he’d do anything to protect me.

And right now, that doesn’t scare me as much as it should.

CHAPTER 35

FIONN

I’ve talkedmyself out of going back to her father’s home and ending his life.

The way he spoke to her, the smug look on his face…it was unforgivable. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve done it.

Though as soon as I heard her voice, it was over. She may think I hold the power, but she’s the one who controls me. She can make me do anything.

“I don’t think I want you meeting Julius, especially without me,” I tell her as she flips the covers on the bed and gets in, my t-shirt climbing up her thighs and exposing a hint of her ass, which I desperately want my hands on.

“I’m not even sure if I will yet. It’s all just too much to think about it right now.”

“I know.” I slip in beside her, rounding an arm beneath her and pulling her face over my chest. Silence greets us as I stare up at the ceiling, my fingers rolling up and down her spine. “I’m gonna take a paternity test.”

She jerks back, propping on an elbow, surprise in her gaze.

The realization even surprises me. “It’s only because I want to adopt her, and my lawyer said I need to first see if she’s my biological daughter.”

“Oh. Right.” Her brows knit. “I totally didn’t think about that. Yeah, that’s good.” She settles back down.

“I’ll have my lawyer come to the house tomorrow and get it done. It’s just a cheek swab for her and me.”

She nods, and I feel it against me. “No matter what happens between us, she will always be your daughter.”

I twist back, fisting her hair, dragging her backward so I can look at her. “What thefuckdoes that mean?” Irritation shoots through my bloodstream. “Nothing will happen between us. Do you need another reminder that you’re mine?”

“I didn’t mean?—”

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