Page 174 of Filthy Savage

“What’s wrong?” Fionn cups my cheek.

But all I feel is anger and sadness. Anger about the possibility that he lied, and sadness that I may have caused someone’s death.

Gathering the courage, I just blurt it out. “My professor, Dr. Wright, never showed up for class today. The sub wouldn’t tell us why. Do you know something about it?”

As soon as his nostrils flare, I just know. He did something.

“Oh my God.” The edges of my vision blur, angrily stepping backward. “You told me you wouldn’t hurt him! You promised.”

My body grows shaky as I back away even more, needing to get as far as I can from him.

Instead, he cuts the distance, sharply inhaling as he backs me up against the wall, his features twisted in fury. He doesn’t say a word, two palms caging me, his gaze dark and dangerous.

Fear crawls up my arms.

“I told you I wouldn’t hurt him,” he says. “I never said I wouldn’t kill him.”

My heart sinks, the words like hot burning flames. I slap a palm around my mouth.

“Please tell me you’re lying,” I whisper. “That this is some kind of sick joke!”

I’m blinded by my own tears.

“Amara…” He places a hand over my forearm, the touch so soft and warm, I almost forget it belongs to a murderer.

How many people does he have to kill for you to see him for who he is?

“Don’t touch me!” I fire out. “I can’t even look at you right now. You lied to me!”

With the tips of my fingers, I swipe under my eyes.

“I did this for you! He fuckingtouchedyou. Did you want me to wait until he raped you to do something? Is that it?”

An ache weaves its way through my chest. “I can’t be here right now. I can’t look at you.” I fight the tears that come. “I’m gonna go for a walk. Don’t follow me.”

As I march past, he grabs my wrist and tugs me flush against him. “You may hate me right now, but that’s okay, mo ban dia. I’ll never stop loving you.”

Pushing off of me, he stalks away, while I’m left collecting the broken pieces of the progress we’ve made.

I don’t know how long I’ve walked, not wanting to come home and face what he did. Max sniffs the grass, pulling me while my mind plays Fionn’s words over and over, like a broken record.

He killed my professor.

Hekilledhim.

How did he do it? Did he send someone? Did he do it with his bare hands?

I don’t even want to know.

Is this going to be our lives? Where he just kills people at the drop of a hat?

“Amara?”

I register Elara’s voice behind me and pivot to find her strolling with Bubbles. Our two dogs sniff one another, Max wagging his tail. He clearly likes her already.

“How are you?” she asks.

“Eh, you know.”

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