Page 69 of Savage Promises

Running his lips along my neck, he growls, “It will be. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Tonight?” I gasp.

“Our wedding night.” He pulls back. “What do you take me for?”

Right, because we’re not in a real relationship. Although the erection pressed against me feels very real. I’m still gasping for air when Shane unlocks the villa and lets me walk inside first.

I turn and watch him close the door softly behind him. The quiet rings loudly, and Shane’s eerie calm, his complete control over this situation, rattles me. This twisted engagement pales in contrast to the utter chaosworking through my brain.

“You planned this, didn’t you? You seemed almost too happy to push Neve aside to marry me instead.”

“Damn, right.” He stalks me like prey and strokes my lower lip. “Don’t mistake the way I’m salivating to make you my wife that I’mnotfucking furious at your sister for how she embarrassed me.”

My eyes slip closed. “I’m sorry.”

“No,” Shane harshly bites out, squeezing my jaw. “You arenotresponsible for her. If it weren’t for you, this would have fallen apart months ago. I saw how you kept trying to fix Neve’s mistakes, all the sacrifices you made. And the whole time, you wanted it to be you. Am I right, Lennox?”

“Yes.” There’s no point in denying it. “I wanted it to be me. But not at the expense of your pride.”

Shane barks a laugh. “Ego and pride are not the same thing. Yes, my ego is bruised because it’s a symbol of power and your sister shit on that. And if all I wanted was a Donnelly wife to get what my family needs from your brother, I’d have looked the other way. Seeing your sister ride her coach’s cock was one of the happiest moments in these past few months. Because I knew in that instant, there was no way your father wouldn’t allow me to takeyouas my wife instead.”

I swallow roughly, wringing my hands.

“Oh, Shane,” I whisper, the words breaking awkwardly from my throat. “I have so many questions.”

The corner of his mouth pulls into a small smirk. He crosses deeper into the living room to pour himself a glass of water over ice.

“Ask me whatever you want, Lennox. Anything.” He handsmethe glass.

I refuse it, my hands shaking too much to drink.

“Sip, baby. Keep that throat moist. I need youhydrated and healthy.”

I part my mouth, surprised at how precisely he holds the glass to my lips as I sip the water. He was right, it’s cool and refreshing in my throat. Just what I needed.

“It’s overwhelming,” I say on a final swallow that has Shane’s jaw tightening. “Why did you propose to me and not just...fight my family for Garrett’s information? You had incredible leverage over my father. He’d have done anything to avoid the shame.”

“Are you not listening to me?” Shane growls. “Iwantedyou. I may not have realized it was possible until I got thrust into this whole scheme. But from the minute it was forced on me, I wished it was you.”

I want to ask why he didn’t stipulate that he wanted my hand over Neve’s during negotiations. But I was with Rafael. And the idea of being bound into a loveless mafia marriage made me sick. Seeing Shane look at me with adoration, maybe it won’t be so loveless.

“Can you tell me what will be expected of me? Can I still work? The new club isn’t—”

“Shhh.” Shane takes me in his arms and breathes against my neck. “You can have anything. Be anything.”

“Okay. And how do you feel about marriage in general?” I know his parents had a strong marriage.

Shane folds his arms across his chest, the fabric of his suit jacket pulling tight across his biceps. The awkward silence between us stretches, his eyes locked on mine. After a breath, he speaks with impeccable control.

“As soon as we formed Quinlan Empire, I knew marriage would be my duty one day,” he says finally. “A way to secure power. Unite families. Protect our interests and our position of authority. At all costs.”

My heart sinks. I should have expected he’d see marrying me as a continuation of his promise to Griffin. It stings even though it shouldn’t.

“But with you,” he continues, his voice shifting from cold indifference to a growly possessiveness, “marrying you is not just duty. It is a pleasure. My pleasure.”

“Pleasure,” I echo, unsure if I should feel relieved or more nervous.

“Aye. Your body will be mine to please.” He runs a hand down the center of my chest. “I expect your loyalty, your trust, and your submission. I want you on your knees, Lennox.” His voice dips lower, laced with quiet lust. “I’ll give you everything, but I need to know you’re mine. Completely.”

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