Page 94 of Brutal Savage

He removes his pants until he’s in nothing but a pair of boxers.

“These are for your benefit.” He tugs the waistband. “I normally sleep naked.”

Then he’s pulling me back to bed and sliding in behind me. And instead of letting me go, he holds me tighter, until we’re spooning.

“Goodnight.” He shuts off the lamp and kisses my shoulder.

I register him blowing a series of short breaths, like he’s trying to calm himself.

“Tynan?”

“Hmm?” He burrows closer to me.

“I’m okay.”

He releases a rough exhale, holding me even closer. “Tell me about that tattoo on your hip, the one of the flower.”

A sad smile paints my lips. “My mother loved poppies. She’d fill our home with them.” I laugh mournfully. “Those flowers made her happy, and as much as I miss her, I miss those flowers too. They were like a part of her.”

He holds me tighter as I go on.

“One day she asked if I wanted to get a tattoo with her, and of course, I said yes. So we both got the small red poppy on our hips.”

“I’m sorry.” He kisses the back of my head, and my lashes fall to a close, feeling that kiss drown my body in warmth.

“Me too. This tattoo is the one thing I have left of my mother. One last thing we did together.” Tears sting my eyes.

I hate that the tattoo is right next to my scar, though it offers me some comfort in some weird way. Because I could’ve died that day, yet I’m still alive, and maybe that’s all because of her. Maybe she was watching over me that day. Maybe there’s a reason I’m still here.

He doesn’t say another word, but he lets out a heavy breath, as though he understands my pain all too well.

Yet how could he?

His palm splays across my abdomen and his lips softly land on the back of my head yet again.

And for once, I feel calm, like this is where I belong.

With this man.

In his arms, holding me until I close my eyes.

Until it’s safe to fall asleep because maybe, for once, I’ve found a man who’ll protect me.

CHAPTER 21

ELARA

An alarm rings beside me, and I peel my eyes open, lids heavy, stretching my limbs over the silky soft sheets. By the time we went to bed, I barely got any sleep.

Exhaustion hits me like a truck, though I can’t skip work. Groaning, I look over to find the space beside me empty.

I guess he left already. What does a Mob boss even do every day?

It’s six in the morning, according to the clock on the wall, and I have to be at school in an hour and a half.

When I get up, I notice a small vase on the nightstand that wasn’t there before, and inside it is a bouquet of red poppies.

Tears fill my eyes, a trembling hand rushing up to my quivering mouth.

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