Page 45 of Filthy Savage

My eyes swell, a cold rush running down my arms. How the hell does she know all that?

“Um, no one?” I twist around toward her.

“Really?” She settles a hand on her hip, a brow hiked up. “Then what’s this?” She holds out an envelope.

My heart beats faster. “I have no idea.”

“That’s interesting.” She looks down at the envelope and reads. “You’re no charity case, Emily, but I thought maybe this would help. Fionn.”

When she opens the flap, she reveals a wad of cash. More money than I’ve ever seen.

“Holy shit…”

She arches a sassy brow. “Still wanna pretend you don’t know who Fionn is?”

I groan, slapping a hand over my face.

“Spill. Now.”

“Fine.” I huff out a breath, taking the envelope from her and tracing his name.

I can’t believe he did that. When did he even have a chance? He did have the key to my room. It’s how he came in when I was doingthatto thoughts of him. I’m sure he sneaked off at some point.

Staring down at the cash, I can’t believe this is all mine. Then again, I can’t in good conscience use it.

Can I?

Though he did intend for me to have it, and heisrich.

No. No, I can’t.

But I don’t even know where he lives to return it. I could try looking him up with just the first name.

I stare at the cash again.

My God, how much is in here?

“I’m waiting.” Emily plops on the bed, curling her arms over her chest.

“Well, while I was on the island, I met a man.”

When I’m finished telling her everything, she can’t believe her ears.

“And you didn’t get his number? Amara! What the hell? What were you thinking?”

I lower onto the bed, releasing a jagged exhale. “I was thinking that a man like him wouldn’t want some poor nobody like me. And he was also very hot and cold, especially at first. My age bothered him most of all, I think.” I huff out a tired exhale. “Then I thought, what happens when my mother finds out he comes from money? She’d do something to ruin my relationship. You know how she is. Look what she did with Max.”

“Oh, Amara, I’m so sorry.” She squeezes my hand. “But you can’t live this way. You can’t make decisions based on what you think she’ll do. You have to escape from under her thumb.”

“And how do I do that?”

“I don’t know, but we have to figure out a way. Maybe you could get your GED and do online college classes.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

When I’m rich…

I take the money and split it up into ten piles, hiding each one in a different location in my room where I hope my mother doesn’t find it. But if she locates one pile, maybe she won’t look for more.

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