Page 65 of Savage Promises

“Oh God, Shane!” Neve’s mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. “No. It’s not... I’m sorry. We just...”

I hold up a hand, cutting her off. “You, shut the fuck up.”

I don’t say anything else. I just stare. At her, at him, at the disgusting image of the life that was supposed to be built around this marriage.

My emotions churn with anger, betrayal, and something else I can’t quite name. Shit... It’s relief. A sweeping weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Creed steps closer, his gun drawn at the coach. “Want me to handle him?”

“No. He’s not worth a bullet. But Neve, your father is,if you don’t show up later.” Leaving the stunned lovers gaping, I turn and Creed follows me out.

“You sure, boss?” he says, scrubbing his jaw.

“After tonight, when I reveal what’s been going on, her father will disown her. She’s going to need someone’s shoulder to cry on.”

On the street, Connor asks the burning question, “What about the marriage deal?”

I glance back at the building, grateful I listened to my heart on this one. “You’ll see.”

HOURS LATER, I STRUTinto Club Echelon for the scheduled proposal event. The club is buzzing as usual. The VIP balcony Lennox set up for me is decked out with white roses, sparkling lights, and expensive champagne in tall flutes. A small gathering of guests is waiting for me to get on one knee. Flash a big diamond and claim my mob bride.

Trace and Rhys keep their eyes on Richard Donnelly because Connor told them what is about to go down. Old man Donnelly might snap and try to shoot me.

Lennox works stiffly and stoically, lighting candles and arranging loose flowers on a table with a cake. She’s dressed in a body-hugging strapless lavender dress with a sheer overlay.

Neve walks into the club a few minutes later her eyes scanning every inch of the place. For me? For her sister? For her father? She looks beautiful in a pale blue dress, her hair in a twist. But underneath the sweet façade, her cunt is filled with another’s man’s cum.

I feel nothing. No anger. No hate. Just fucking relief. And a rush of excitement that I’m about to bloweveryone’s mind.

When Neve reaches the VIP floor, she blushes, seeing me. I approach her, my face even. She looks terrified, and I’m glad. She showed zero interest in this marriage, but she’s not naïve about the mafia world. If she’s been remotely paying attention to her father, she knows what a mafia man is capable of.

She may havehimwrapped around her finger at the expense of her sister, but her bullshit train never left my station. I knew something was off all along.

I step forward, grabbing her gently but firmly by the arm. “Come with me.”

Her face crumples and she starts to cry. “Shane, I—”

“Don’t,” I say, cutting her off. “Do yourself a favor and keep quiet.”

Sobbing, she utters, “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

Griffin appears in front of me, his eyes trained on Neve, who looks like she’s ready to throw up. “What’s going on, brother?”

Before I can answer, Richard Donnelly storms over, his face red with anger. “Why is my daughter crying?”

I glance at Griffin and release Neve. “Go stand with your father.”

From my jacket, I take out the photos and hand them to Griffin.

He flips through them, his expression hardening. “Fuck.”

Richard looks between us, his voice dark with anger. “What the hell is going on?”

“Daddy,” Neve whines. “I’m sorry.”

Griffin passes back the photos to me and rubs his eyes. “Everyone, stay calm.”

“What are you looking at?” Richard says, taking Neve into his arms.

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