Page 133 of Savage Don

Maybe, but something tells me there’s more. Not that I have any time to dwell on it.

“It’s time to end this,” Ray says. With one last step forward, he reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a document. “Sign your name at the bottom, Domenico. I don’t have all day.”

“You’re not even going to bother inviting us inside?” Sonia can’t help herself.

“You’re already inside,” Ray growls. “And that’s far enough for me. This isn’t some ceremony. It’s a simple process. Sign your daughter away, Domenico. Then leave.”

It’s like he’s purposefully rubbing salt in Father’s wounds. I don’t like it. But I don’t dare interrupt Ray, either.

Instead, I do something that I think might calm both parties. As subtly as I can, I place a hand on Ray’s arm.

Maybe that will convince Father that this is for the best. He may be selling me to a monster, but at least Ray is my monster.

Immediately, though, I know I’ve made a mistake.

Father’s dark eyes erupt at the sight of me caressing the Irishman.

“What have you become?” he sneers, the scowl on his face melting as rage colors his pale skin.

“She’s becoming her own woman,” Ray answers for me, his voice deep and booming.

“A woman who can’t speak for herself?” Sonia bites back.

“One more word out of you and I will make sure you never speak again.”

Sonia has already opened her mouth to clap back before she thinks better of it. Whatever is going on between her and Ray, it’s serious. And Sonia is just smart enough not to test the Great Don any further.

“I can speak for myself,” I announce. Just like that, all eyes are on me. Two of them seem to be so full of hate that it makes my skin shiver. It only solidifies my choice to go along with this whole thing. I can’t go back to that house. It will be hell. And it will be hell because of these two people standing before me.

They don’t want me back for my own safety, they want me back in order to save their own selfish pride.

“So, speak then, girl,” Father orders.

Just like that, I can feel every muscle in Ray’s body flex. He wants to strangle my father on the spot, but I press my hand deeper into his arm and silently assure him that all of this will be over soon, and it will go in his favor.

I’ll be alright.

We’ll be alright.

“You can’t tell me what to do anymore,” I say, forcing myself to glare into my father’s hate filled eyes. “I’m freeing myself from your chains.”

“My chains?!” Father huffs, his hands dropping to his side, along with the unsigned contract Ray just handed him. “I am your father. You are my daughter. All of your life, I’ve been protecting you. Now, to repay me, you indebt yourself to some Irish street rat?”

“He’s a king!” I hear myself shout. “Not that it matters. I don’t have to explain myself to you. I can make my own choices now.”

“You foolish girl,” Father sneers, shaking his head. “You are so naïve. This isn’t your choice. Not even a little. This man has corrupted you. He’s fooled you. My daughter would never agree to go along with something like this.”

“You don’t know me,” I grumble, a rebellious rage bubbling up from somewhere deep inside of me.

“I know you all too well,” Father grumbles.

“Bullshit.” Just like that, I’m done holding everything back. I’m done with the secrecy and the stress of hiding my dreams from someone who should have supported them, not extinguished them. “Do you know that I’ve been sneaking off to school for the past year and a half? I’m a college student, Father. I’ve been to lectures. I’ve been to parties. I’ve…”

I stop myself before I can say too much. Revealing to my father just how corrupted I’ve truly become would only inflame what is already a tense situation. He doesn’t need to know that I’m not a virgin anymore. He doesn’t need to know about the small box with the key. About the dungeon and the cross. About the mystery that still awaits me in that second, larger box.

“Those incompetent fucking guards,” Father growls, his cheeks turning red with shame as his dirty laundry is aired in front of his Irish rival.

But I’m not done yet. All that I’ve been holding back comes rushing out. A dam has broken inside of me, and I’m ready to drown Father and Sonia in my wrathful waters.