Page 126 of Brutal Savage

“I’ve got you,” he whispers, eyes lingering on mine. “You have nothing to worry about when I’m with you.”

And my heart somehow stops and skips a beat all at once.

I nod, and he lifts my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles without even so much as looking away.

How can this not be real? He can’t possibly fake this…can he? Or does he act this way with all the women he sleeps with?

I don’t have long to wonder, because he’s pulling me toward those bitches again.

I almost feel sorry for Vera. When she sees us approaching, her face goes white. She’s whispering something to Stephanie, who looks even more nervous.

“Ladies. It’s so good of you to make it.” He holds my hand tighter—squeezing it for reassurance, I imagine.

Vera laughs nervously. “We wouldn’t miss it. It’s such a worthy cause. Isn’t that right, honey?”

She peers over at Stephanie, who feigns a smile.

“I’m sorry to hear about your store,” he tells Vera, but he doesn’t sound sorry at all. “It’s a shame what happens when we’re not careful.”

Her mouth spasms. “Tynan, I’m sorry.”

She knows.

Oh my God…

“For what?” Keeping our hands clasped, he brings his face closer to hers. “For insulting my wife and thinking you could get away with it?”

Her lower lashes brim with tears. “We didn’t mean to offend her, I swear!”

He chuckles and there’s nothing pleasant in it. “You did mean to. You just didn’t think you’d get caught.” His arm curls around my hips as he narrows his glare at the women. “And I just want you to know no matter how hard you try, you’ll never come close to being as perfect as my wife.”

His eyes go to mine for a moment, lingering there before he’s staring hard at her again. “I won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting her. So I suggest you both learn to keep your mouths shut before you lose more than just your store. Hope we understand each other.”

He doesn’t give her a chance to reply, pulling us away.

Emotions weave through my heart until it feels as though it’s weeping—not from sadness, but from happiness.

He stood up for me. He defended me.

He just proved to me that I mean something.

That being happy with him could be possible.

“Thank you,” I whisper, stopping in place and cupping his cheek in my palm.

His brows furrow, eyes searching mine. “Anything for you, Elara.”

My gut dips, and with a clench of his jaw, his mouth is on mine, hungrily devouring me.

My hands slide into his hair.

Tugging.

Pulling.

Feeling…everything. Wanting it too.

His teeth nip on my lower lip as he sucks it into his mouth, his hard chest pressed against my soft one.

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