Page 1 of Savage Don

Prologue

Ray

23 years ago…

I don’t belong here.

Hell, I don’t belong on any college campus, let alone Branksome University.

This is where the rich and the powerful send their greatest fuck-ups. It’s where politicians hide their dirty little secrets. Where business titans write off their junkie dependants.

It’s where con-artists like Sonia come to score big. And, unfortunately, it’s also where young loan sharks like me are sent when there’s an outstanding debt to collect.

These spoiled brats usually make quick and easy work, and this morning was no exception. I’ve already gotten what I came here for.

If I was smart, I’d be long gone, back to where I belong, in the gutter; Hell’s Kitchen, amongst the dark and the depraved.

So, why do I instead find myself in the very middle of a crowded college campus, following a girl who wants nothing more than for me to fuck right off?

Because Sonia is mine. We came here together, and we will leave together.

But she’s not going anywhere until she makes this trip worth her while—and that means finding a sucker to con.

“Why are you still following me around?” Sonia hisses for the hundredth time. Stopping in her tracks, she looks back over her shoulder and glares at me.

“I’m not going to walk around this place by myself,” I grumble.

Even among all of the cardboard cut-out, perfect rich college students, Sonia stands out. A tanned Italian firecracker in a swarm of WASPs.

Her dark brown eyes reach into my chest and shake my heart.

“Scared?” She teases. But this isn’t a playful taunt. I can see the aggravation in her glare. She’s on the hunt.

“I’m not scared of shit,” I reply.

“Of course you’re not scared of shit,” Sonia taunts. “You’re from Hell’s Kitchen. You were born in shit. But there is no shit here. Just rich kids. They are who you should be afraid of.”

“I’m not scared of anyone.”

In response, a faint smirk pulls up the corners of Sonia’s dark red lips. “You’re scared of me,” she points out.

“Bullshit.”

“Don’t think I’ll ever forget how much you shook the first time I made you feel like a man, Raymond,” she taunts me. “In fact, if you don’t stop stalking me, I might just shout—”

“Enough,” I growl, trying to sound tough. But my voice trembles with an awkward insecurity.

“I’m not stalking you,” I clarify. “I’m protecting you.”

“I don’t want or need your protection, little boy,” Sonia huffs.

“Then why did you come with me on this job? No one asked you to. You could have easily stayed back home. But you decided to follow me here, just like I’m following you now.”

“I came because I’m sick of Hell’s Kitchen, Raymond. I’m almost nineteen already. I’ve been an adult for nearly a year, and I’m still stuck in the same shithole where I grew up. Time is running out. If I don’t snag a rich boy quick, then I’ll be stuck with you for the rest of my life…”

“You’re already stuck with me,” I remind her. Lashing out, I grab Sonia’s wrist and pull her into my body.

“Get off of me,” she hisses under her breath, her nails digging into my chest as she tries to push away from me.