Page 2 of Savage Truth

“Your mom met with a man the other night. I have a recording of her telling him to wait a little while longer and that she loves him. What do you think my dad will do when he hears that?”

“I hate you.” Something dark and dangerous sizzled between us, and I moved out of his reach because if he kissed me, my willpower would snap.

“You’ll owe me a weekly favor of my choice.”

I curled my upper lip, letting my anger show. He would ask for something sleazy. A thrill raced down my spine, but I hid behind my appalled expression. If he knew I wanted more from him… I couldn’t go there. He’d already had the football players freeze me out at school. No one would date me, guys were afraid of me, and the Barbie Club—aka the Bitch Squad or the Elites' Entourage—took turns bullying me. At least that part was amusing.

“Tomorrow is Friday, and I have a game. You can start this weekend by doing my laundry.” His sinful lips curled into a wide grin.

That asshole was laughing at me. I narrowed my eyes. But the joke was on him. I’d been doing laundry since I was ten—not that I would admit that to him. “The housekeeper does your laundry.” Louisa was more of a mom than a housekeeper, and I doubted she would be okay with me taking over that task.

He sidestepped me on his way to the door. “From now on, you’re my maid.”

I followed as he passed through my open door. When he turned, it looked like he was going to say something else when he clamped his mouth shut and a wall came down in his eyes, locking me out.

Before slamming my door in his face, I peered down the hallway to see what had caught Cole’s attention. Lucas was coming up the stairs. I flashed his dad a fake smile then snagged Cole’s focus back to me and whispered, “You can go fuck yourself.”

He laughed, and I swear I thought I heard him reply, “Not if I fuck you first.”

Unsettled by how much I wanted that, I hurried back into my room and shut my door. I leaned against it, anger at lusting after his body vibrating through me, when I heard his dad stop Cole in the hallway. I pressed my ear to the door.

“I’m glad to see you and Riley getting along, but remember that she’s off-limits.”

Cole grunted something noncommittal.

“Raelyn and I are trying to make this work, and I need you boys to behave. After the stunt you and your brother pulled with the party, Raelyn was very concerned. Let me make this crystal clear for you and Damon. No sleeping with your soon-to-be stepsister.”

“She’s not my type.”

That fucker. I’ll show him how much I’m “not his type.” That kiss at the fight the other night told me something very different.

“Good. Tomorrow night, Raelyn and I’ll be at the game for the alum introductions. She wants to do dinner out with all of us. You will come to that and behave.”

Interesting. I didn’t need to hear anything more because I had a very good idea of how to even the playing field. All I had to do was get Cole to hit on me in front of his father. I flopped onto my bed and tried hard not to laugh. I would do his laundry and even clean his room whether he wanted me to or not, wearing my skimpiest shorts and tightest shirts.Let’s see how tall and proud he walks when I put him in his place—which is hands-off of me.

* * *

Entering the Savage house was surreal after school… or any time. I sighed in relief when I found the kitchen empty. Even Louisa wasn’t around. I opened the fridge and grabbed an apple, intent on barricading myself in my room for the rest of the night.

I turned and stopped short, unable to prevent a scowl on my face when Lucas appeared in front of me.Do any of the Savages make a sound?It was like living with panthers. They would be on me, ready for the kill before I even heard as much as a scuff of their shoes.

“I’m glad you’re here, Riley. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

It was clear what my mom saw in him. He looked like both Cole and Damon, just older. That didn’t mean I trusted him or wanted to be there. I didn’t say a word. I just waited to hear what asinine thing Cole had managed to pin on me again.

“Your mom and I talked, and she swears that you were not the one to throw the party. In that moment, I was shocked by the mess and not thinking clearly.” He grimaced. “Which one of my sons threw the party?”

Silence was best, so I continued to stare at him. I was no rat.

His lips twitched like he was suppressing a smile. “I see.”

I doubted that very much. I took a bite of the apple without breaking eye contact, preferring to know where he was at all times. I didn’t get any creepy vibes from him, but I didn’t like him either.

“We got off on the wrong foot, but I want you to know that I love your mom very much, and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

That was where our opinion differed. “It won’t be enough, and we won’t be staying. And as for loving Mom”—I shrugged—“you say that, but you’re getting the good side of her right now. You haven’t known each other long enough to wade through the bad. And when that happens, no infatuation will be enough to protect any of us.”

“Your mom is the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

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