Page 105 of Savage Don

“In polite society.”

“Hey!” I say, maybe a little too loud. “I’m not some feral child. I know my manners.”

“Do you know not to yell in a nice restaurant?”

All of my suspicion and tension melts away as I sink into my chair and pout. “You’re teasing me,” I say. But I’m not upset. In fact, I’m far more comfortable than I was just a second ago.

This is a competition.

I like a good competition.

“You think Domenico kept me locked in my room for my whole life?” I ask, sitting up straight again.

Mindlessly, I reach for my glass of wine and take a sip. But I don’t stop to savor the taste. Ray doesn’t think I can be a proper lady?

I’ll show him.

“I think you’re the daughter of a second-rate don. You’ve never experienced the high life. Not how I live it. You’ve never had to act like underworld royalty. You’ve never been tested.”

“I’ve taken all sorts of tests.”

“This isn’t some exam you sit in a chair and write,” Ray says, taking a sip of his wine in response to mine. “This is real life. This is our reality. It’s twisted and dark and full of danger, but if you learn your place in it, then it’s not impossible to control.”

“And what’s my place in it?” I ask, taking a bigger sip from my wine glass than he just did of his.

“Your place is by my side,” Ray says. With one swift motion, he finishes his glass and begins to pour himself another. Before he’s done, I’ve chugged the rest of my glass, too.

“More,” I demand, shoving my glass towards him.

“How lady like,” Ray teases. Still, he’s more than happy to oblige.

“I’m not a lady,” I remind him, pulling my glass back when it’s been filled to my satisfaction.

“That’s right, you’re just a girl.”

“I’m not that either,” I insist, taking a deep sip of my fresh glass.

“Then what are you?”

“I’m your worst nightmare.”

Now, it’s Ray’s turn to be loud. A booming laugh rumbles out from his lips as he bangs an amused fist against the table.

The cutlery shakes and I can feel all eyes in the room turn onto us, then quickly look away. These people must know who Ray is, and they must be desperately afraid not to offend him.

I’m not so terrified. If my future is already locked into place, then what do I have to lose?

“You’re drunk,” Ray says, a big smile lifting up his chiselled cheekbones.

Sure, my head is already swimming, but I think it might be more from the excitement than from the wine. Either way, I’m not about to let this Irish bastard outdrink me.

“You’re scared,” I snip back.

“Of what?”

“Of being embarrassed by a girl half your age.”

“You’re not quite that young,” Ray smirks. “And I’m not quite that old. Not that you could do anything to embarrass me anyway.”