Page 28 of Savage Promises (Quinlan Empire #2)

Lennox

I ’m Shane Quinlan’s fiancée. Not Neve. Me.

The diamond on my finger feels heavy, like my knuckles might drag behind me. It all feels very primitive. Like this ring means Shane owns me. Or will.

After my surprise engagement party breaks up, Shane puts me in his Sentinel, but the ride is a blur of traffic lights. With how Shane turned everything upside down and claimed me, I’m surprised when the spire to The Sterling comes into view.

He’s not taking me to his brownstone.

We get out of the Sentinel and with Shane’s hand on the small of my back, he steers me inside, right to the villa elevators. When the door closes, he cages me against the paneled wall.

“Say something,” he whispers, his first crack of insecurity.

I wasn’t given a choice. He wants to know how I feel about this. “My head feels like it’s spinning.”

Running his lips along my neck, he growls, “It will be. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Tonight?” I gasp.

“Our wedding night.” He pulls back. “What do you take me for?”

Right, because we’re not in a real relationship. Although the erection pressed against me feels very real. I’m still gasping for air when Shane unlocks the villa and lets me walk inside first.

I turn and watch him close the door softly behind him. The quiet rings loudly, and Shane’s eerie calm, his complete control over this situation, rattles me. This twisted engagement pales in contrast to the utter chaos working through my brain.

“You planned this, didn’t you? You seemed almost too happy to push Neve aside to marry me instead.”

“Damn, right.” He stalks me like prey and strokes my lower lip. “Don’t mistake the way I’m salivating to make you my wife that I’m not fucking furious at your sister for how she embarrassed me.”

My eyes slip closed. “I’m sorry.”

“No,” Shane harshly bites out, squeezing my jaw. “You are not responsible for her. If it weren’t for you, this would have fallen apart months ago. I saw how you kept trying to fix Neve’s mistakes, all the sacrifices you made. And the whole time, you wanted it to be you. Am I right, Lennox?”

“Yes.” There’s no point in denying it. “I wanted it to be me. But not at the expense of your pride.”

Shane barks a laugh. “Ego and pride are not the same thing. Yes, my ego is bruised because it’s a symbol of power and your sister shit on that.

And if all I wanted was a Donnelly wife to get what my family needs from your brother, I’d have looked the other way.

Seeing your sister ride her coach’s cock was one of the happiest moments in these past few months.

Because I knew in that instant, there was no way your father wouldn’t allow me to take you as my wife instead. ”

I swallow roughly, wringing my hands.

“Oh, Shane,” I whisper, the words breaking awkwardly from my throat. “I have so many questions.”

The corner of his mouth pulls into a small smirk. He crosses deeper into the living room to pour himself a glass of water over ice.

“Ask me whatever you want, Lennox. Anything.” He hands me the glass.

I refuse it, my hands shaking too much to drink.

“Sip, baby. Keep that throat moist. I need you hydrated and healthy.”

I part my mouth, surprised at how precisely he holds the glass to my lips as I sip the water. He was right, it’s cool and refreshing in my throat. Just what I needed.

“It’s overwhelming,” I say on a final swallow that has Shane’s jaw tightening. “Why did you propose to me and not just...fight my family for Garrett’s information? You had incredible leverage over my father. He’d have done anything to avoid the shame.”

“Are you not listening to me?” Shane growls. “I wanted you. I may not have realized it was possible until I got thrust into this whole scheme. But from the minute it was forced on me, I wished it was you.”

I want to ask why he didn’t stipulate that he wanted my hand over Neve’s during negotiations. But I was with Rafael. And the idea of being bound into a loveless mafia marriage made me sick. Seeing Shane look at me with adoration, maybe it won’t be so loveless.

“Can you tell me what will be expected of me? Can I still work? The new club isn’t—”

“Shhh.” Shane takes me in his arms and breathes against my neck. “You can have anything. Be anything.”

“Okay. And how do you feel about marriage in general?” I know his parents had a strong marriage.

Shane folds his arms across his chest, the fabric of his suit jacket pulling tight across his biceps. The awkward silence between us stretches, his eyes locked on mine. After a breath, he speaks with impeccable control.

“As soon as we formed Quinlan Empire, I knew marriage would be my duty one day,” he says finally. “A way to secure power. Unite families. Protect our interests and our position of authority. At all costs.”

My heart sinks. I should have expected he’d see marrying me as a continuation of his promise to Griffin. It stings even though it shouldn’t .

“But with you,” he continues, his voice shifting from cold indifference to a growly possessiveness, “marrying you is not just duty. It is a pleasure. My pleasure.”

“Pleasure,” I echo, unsure if I should feel relieved or more nervous.

“Aye. Your body will be mine to please.” He runs a hand down the center of my chest. “I expect your loyalty, your trust, and your submission. I want you on your knees, Lennox.” His voice dips lower, laced with quiet lust. “I’ll give you everything, but I need to know you’re mine. Completely.”

I swallow hard, heat crawling up my neck. Those words are still bouncing around in my head when suddenly I feel soft fur circling my ankles, purring for attention.

Shane’s eyes lower to the cat, and he stiffens.

“Oh crap. I forgot you have a cat.” He pulls back abruptly and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, this is Hawk. Do you...like cats?”

“Um...” He erupts with a sharp and violent sneeze.

“Oh, no. You’re allergic to cats?”

His nod is followed by another sneeze.

I scoop up Hawk and put him back in the bedroom, but he darts away and evades me with the agility of a small ninja. “Shane, you should go.”

“Stop.” Shane holds up a hand, sniffling. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine! You’re—”

“Lennox,” he cuts me off, his voice steady, despite his watery eyes. “I’ll take something for the cat. You’re worth it.”

I blink at him, my throat tightening. “Are you sure?” I ask quietly, cradling Hawk now that he’s finally let me catch him.

“I’m so sure.” Shane smiles gently, taking the cat from my arms and setting him on the floor.

Then he cups my chin, tilting my face up to meet his.

“I do have to leave, though. There’s lots to do.

Including reminding your father that Garrett owes us intel on the Albanian armory.

I’m holding up my end of the deal, despite your sister’s disgrace. ”

I close my eyes, guilt suffocating me. “I’ll speak to my father.”

“No,” he says sharply. “You stay out of your brother’s deceit. Yes, you’re the payment. The symbol of our union. I respect your independence. I support you. Don’t get involved in your father and brother’s lies.”

“Okay.”

“You’re mine, Lennox,” Shane growls. “You will have my name. I will give you everything you want.”

“Your heart?” I ask before I can stop myself.

He pauses and shakes his head. “No. That I cannot give. I’m not built to love. This world can’t survive on love because love makes you weak.”

“I won’t weaken you,” I whisper.

“Please don’t ask me to promise you something I can’t. I promise you, you will have an amazing life. I will give myself to you.” He rubs against me. “Every inch. And every facet of my soul.”

Just not his heart.

I inhale and nod, accepting this will have to be enough.

“Make no mistake, our marriage will be full and satisfying,” he whispers. “There will be kissing, Lennox. And touching. And sex. Sweaty, hot, take-your-breath-away sex.”

God...

“For now, can I kiss you goodnight?”

“Yes, please kiss me.”

Shane’s kiss is slow, deliberate, and claiming. By the time he pulls back, I’m dizzy .

“You’re mine,” he says, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “Be ready tomorrow at eleven.”

“Right. To see your mother.” I run my schedule through my head.

“Good night, my fiancée.” He steps back, winking devilishly.

Moments later, Shane is gone, leaving me standing there, my pulse racing, my lips tingling and my panty so damp that I have to take it off.

Shaking, I stumble into the bedroom and get naked, touching my heated body. Shane easily made such savage promises to me.

I don’t know what promises I can make to him if he doesn’t want there to be any love between us.