Page 159 of Ruthless Savage

“Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe I should do more. He misses his parents, his mom especially. They were close. And she just—” He pinches his temple and shuts his eyes, shaking his head.

“She was hurting, Tynan. She loved Aiden. They were high school sweethearts, remember? And she couldn’t see a way past her grief. She loved Brody, but she was in pain, and sometimes when we’re hurting, that seems like the only way to escape it.”

He exhales sharply. “Yeah. I know. I don’t hate her. I just wish I could do more for him. But I’ll never be enough.”

I fear he’s right. That Brody will always feel this emptiness where his parents’ love once was.

Suddenly, my father clanks his glass, getting everyone’s attention, and the room falls quiet.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming to celebrate my baby girl turning nineteen.” My dad’s eyes crinkle at the sides as he looks at me with a smile. “You have grown into a beautiful, smart young woman, and every day, I’m even more proud of you.” He clears his throat. “I can’t wait until you become a bigshot author so I can read your books and tell everyone my daughter wrote them.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I swipe under my eyes, feeling his words in my heart.

His acceptance is what I’ve always wanted, and now I have it.

I rush over and give him a hug.

He holds me tight, whispering, “I love you, darling girl. Your mother would be very proud of you too.”

Kissing the side of my head, he pats my back, bringing me to his side as he looks around the room. “Before the cook brings our appetizers, I wanted to make an announcement.”

Devlin comes over to Tynan and gives him a knowing look.

What was that about?

“So, as some of you know, I plan on retiring.” He reaches for Fernanda’s hand. “My beautiful wife and I want to do some traveling, and I want to give her everything she wants. Therefore…” He locks eyes with Tynan. “It’s gonna be on you now, son. I need you to take over for me, but you know the condition I have. You have to get married.”

Tynan grumbles a response.

“Don’t give me that look,” he tells my brother. “I want our bloodline secured. You hear me? You’ve been postponing it long enough, and you’re gonna be forty soon. It’s time.”

Fionn chuckles under his breath and Cillian looks equally amused. Everyone knows my brother’s feelings on marriage: he wants no part.

I don’t know why. He would make a good husband. After a while…

“Why the hell do I need a wife? I have an heir right here.” He gestures toward Brody with a tilt of his chin. “And you’ve got other kids who will give you plenty.”

“Never enough, son. Not with the life we live. And you know it. You have two months, tops. Find a respectable young woman and make her your wife. Maybe smile a little, would ya? Give her some incentive to say yes.” My dad’s features light up from Tynan’s annoyed expression.

“Yeah, whatever. Fine,” he grunts.

“Great! Hear that, Fernanda? Greece, here we come.”

She rolls her eyes. “You take your time, Tynan. Getting married is a big responsibility, and you want to ensure you choose the right one to raise your children. I’ll deal with your dad.” She pats Dad on the back.

Tynan pours himself another drink, shaking his head while continuing to mutter to himself.

Iseult finally strolls up to me and throws an arm around me. “Hey, sis. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks.”

I can feel it coming. When my sister wants to say something, nothing can stop her.

“Let’s go take a walk.”

And there it is.

When I give her an irate look, her arm tightens around me.

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