Page 13 of Savage Hearts
He scoffs. “Politicians wish they had his kind of power.”
“Oh god. That sounds scary. Is he a supervillain?”
His smile is small and mysterious. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“So, he’s a good guy?”
He shrugs. “Depends on who you ask.”
“Seriously?You’re killing me!”
He must find my blossoming panic amusing, because he starts to chuckle. “It’s not my place to tell you, lass. But don’t worry. You’ll be safe here.”
We drive by a guy in a black suit holding a big black rifle. He’s crouched in the bushes, watching us with narrowed eyes as we pass. He lifts a hand to his mouth and speaks into what looks like his wristwatch but is obviously some kind of communication device.
Like a spy would have. Or the henchman of a supervillain.
I say drily, “Oh, yeah, I feel totally safe already.” Then I gasp. “Whoa. Is that our hotel? It’s huge!”
When Spider only gives me another chuckle as an answer, I get it.
“Holy fuck nuggets. That’s hishouse?”
“Aye.”
I gape at the sprawling stone estate at the top of the hill. I’ve seen smaller castles. “That’sonehouse? Foroneperson?”
“Two, if you count Sloane.”
I shoot him a sour look. “You’re laughing at me.”
“I would never.”
He tries to pretend innocence, but totally fails. I smack him on the shoulder.
“Ow! There’s no need for violence, lass! What a rabid wee badger!”
Now he’s laughing even harder, the jerk. I mutter, “I’ll shove a rabid wee badger right up your butt, mister.”
His shoulders are shaking, his lips are pressed together, his eyes are bright, and I’m going to clobber him.
Except I’m not, because at that moment, I spot Sloane emerging from the huge wooden front doors of the house. She’s followed by a man who makes my mouth drop open in shock.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with a Mick Jagger swagger, he’s gothair as black as midnight, eyes as blue as cobalt, and the sly, cocky grin of a pirate king.
The man is so beautiful, the devil himself would be jealous. My voice comes out strangled. “That’sthe fiancé?”
Spider sounds proud when he answers. “Aye. The one and only Declan O’Donnell.”
Declan O’Donnell.
Sweet Jesus, even his name is hot. He makes my last boyfriend look like Shrek.
As soon as this vacation is over, I’m getting on a plane headed straight for Ireland.
When the SUV pulls to a stop, Declan opens the back door for me before the engine is even off. I hop out and am immediately taken by his height. I have to crane my neck to look up at him. It makes his beauty even more impressive.
“Riley,” he says. “At last we meet. Your sister has told me so much about you.”
