Page 92 of Savage Enemy

Mother of Christ, the pain in my head.

As my vision returned, I pulled myself up onto my knees, then onto my feet.

“That’s why you’re so angry? Because I made up some silly stories at a party to amuse myself?”

Aris snorted.

“That’s the least of it.” Saul said. “Let’s talk about the how you decided to fuck some random man in the ladies’ room, a man that no one can seem to place. You’re a stain on this family’s name. I don’t understand why you do it because it’s also your name.”

He flexed his fingers, and his face turned a darker shade of red with every passing second.

I shook my head. “I didn’t fuck just some random man in the restroom,” I said. “The only man I’ve ever been with is the father of my son. The man I was about to marry.”

Saul leaned in, looming over me like a dark storm cloud.

Did the man just growl?

“Are you telling me that son of a bitch Vignali came into my city, defiled my daughter once again, and then had the balls to ask me for your hand? That fucking arrogant New Yorker!”

He lifted his shoulders to stand even taller above me.

“And they say they’re more civilized than us. Well, let me tell you, daughter, that man’s blatant disrespect is as savage as anything we do here.”

Laughter bubbled up into my throat. I covered my mouth, but I couldn’t hold it back. It burst out against my hand.

They stared at me. Maybe they thought I was insane.

“He didn’t ask for my hand,” I said, “and neither did the Russians. Talk about civilized behavior all you want, but you are selling me, your only daughter, like I’m livestock.”

My cheeks burned. Anger had crept up on me.

“They came here to buy me,” I screamed.

Aris chuckled. “You are livestock, you stupid cunt. Women like you are made for breeding and keeping bloodlines strong. You have one job, sister, that’s it. Lie on your back, conceive babies, and raise them.”

“What the fuck would you know about it?” I spat. “Is there another woman in this house I haven’t met? Your wife? Mother of your children? No, that’s right… you still follow your daddy around like a pathetic little man-child.”

“Enough,” Saul said.

Aris and I shut our mouths and locked our gazes on him.

Coming from Aris, the behavior was a show of respect, but for me, it was just an old habit I couldn’t shake.

“Fact is,” Saul continued, “for whatever reason I can’t begin to fathom, the Russians still have an interest in you. You may be a disgrace to this family, but Klimov’s emissary enjoyed your beauty. Another man will come by and look this afternoon.

“The son of thepakhanyou were supposed to wed. If he likes what he sees, then we will sign the contract. And from this moment, you’ll keep your mouth shut and do as you’re told.”

The ringing in my ears intensified, bringing with it a stronger wave of lightheadedness.

“Or what? What will happen to me?”

“Excuse me?” His eyes widened with hatred.

“What exactly will you do if I don’t keep my mouth shut?”

Despite being on the verge of passing out, either from hunger or a concussion, my voice sounded steady and calm.

“I mean, if I misbehave, won’t you just sell me to the next highest bidder? So why should it even matter to me?”

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