Page 23 of Savage Don

Back when we were still at war with the Greeks—before they had ever tried to talk to the feds—I had suspected the Italians of feeding our enemies sensitive information in a bid to gain favor and break out from under Irish rule.

In response, I’d set spies on all of the major members of the three remaining families, as well as their oldest children. None of my spies found anything conclusive, but one thing became clear.

Domenico’s daughter was trouble.

No matter who I sent to watch over her, she’d always end up giving them the slip.

That aroused my suspicion so greatly that I decided to take on the task of following her myself.

That’s when I saw her for the first time. Just like that, my world was turned upside down. It was obsession at first sight.

Fuck. I’d been obsessed with women before, but never like this.

A young, delicate princess who could be so naïve, yet so cunning… Her innocence was real, but so was her mischievous spirit.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

It was then that I came up with my plan.

The Galli princess would make the perfect project. And she was young enough that there was little chance I’d risk breaking the oath I’d sworn to myself all those years ago, on this very campus.

Never fall for anyone, Raymond.

Never again.

Reaching into my back pocket, I take out my switchblade and dig the sharp edge deep into the flaky plaster that insulates the dark window.

It only takes a few seconds before I’ve sliced enough of it off to pop the window open. The action isn’t quiet, but the music blaring inside is so loud that I doubt anyone can hear me.

… And no one will hear what I do next, either.

Slipping inside the darkness, I spot two silhouettes up ahead. One is passed out on a bed. The other leers over her, his back turned to me.

My grip tightens around the handle of my switchblade.

Usually, Francesca seems to be able to take care of herself—it’s part of why I was so drawn to her in the first place.

But tonight, she let her guard down and some asshole is trying to take advantage of it.

I’m going to make him suffer.

… Then, I’m going to drag her home with me.

5

Francesca

Before I can even bear to open my eyes, I know that I’m fucked.

There’s an ear-piercing headache pounding against the inside of my skull that’s so vicious I could puke, and my whole body feels like it’s being held against the bottom of a deep, dark ocean.

With a heavy groan, I bury my head into something soft and try to build up the courage to rip my eyelids open and face the consequences I know are coming.

This is bad. Whatever time it is. Where ever I am. It’s the wrong time and it’s the wrong place. My brain isn’t even fully awake yet, but it knows the score, and no matter how things have turned out, I’m a loser.

Unless, of course, I somehow managed to drunkenly stumble back home last night, evade my father’s guards, and collapse onto my own bed without arousing any suspicion.

I doubt it, though, and the deeper I dig my face into this pillow, the more obvious it becomes. This is not my room. I don’t recognize the scent of it—though, strangely, there is an odd familiarity to it.