Page 134 of Brutal Savage

“Valentino.”

I breathe a laugh. “Way to spoil a girl.”

Will I ever get used to this lifestyle?

“It’s what I’m here for.” His knuckles feather down my cheek, leaving goose bumps behind. He kisses my temple before returning to his breakfast. “I’m happy to see you eating so well now.”

He glances down at my bare plate, the crepes he made long gone.

“It’s kinda hard not to when you’re such a good cook.”

He shoots me a lopsided grin.

I vow to make him do that as much as possible.

I take Gran’s bags and place them in the trunk, helping her up into the SUV before sliding in beside her.

“This was so much fun!” She grins. “I really adore that man. Don’t you? I mean, he was so generous with me when he didn’t have to be.”

She fastens her seat belt as Rogue takes us on the road.

Tynan not only arranged clothes for me, but Gran too. I really almost burst into tears when I realized that. To have someone not only take care of me, but my grandparents too? That’s special. How can I run from it?

Yet how can I risk something happening to him or Brody?

“Yeah, it was really sweet of him to do this for us.”

I reach inside one of my paper bags, wanting to make sure the receipt is in there just in case I change my mind about some of the items. They were expensive. It took some convincing from Gran for me to even be okay with buying them.

But instead of a receipt, I find a simple folded white paper.

I don’t think much of it.

“What’s that?” Gran asks.

“I don’t know.” I glance at her, brows knitting in confusion as I start to unfold it. “Maybe the cashier dropped it accidenta?—”

All the words escape when I look down at it.

I drag in a long, shallow inhale, fear clawing its way up my throat.

“Elara?” Gran calls, yet her voice is distant, like she’s not right beside me.

My head spins and my pulse spikes when I read the words again.

No, no, no.

Can’t breathe. Can’t breathe.

“Elara! What’s going on?”

I knew it was him. I knew Jerry would come for me.

Can’t hide from me, Ev. I’ll always find you.

Tears fill my eyes.

With a shaky hand, I crumble up the paper and toss it right out the window.

---