Page 15 of Brutal Savage

As though hearing my thoughts, that sinful mouth curls on one side.

“There’s a boy in my class. He’s…”

“He’s what?” His jaw clenches.

“He’s sweet and kind and he…he stopped talking about a year ago. And it breaks my heart that I can’t do anything for him.”

I don’t miss the way his hand tightens around the wheel, knuckles turning white, and I wonder if I made a mistake by saying something.

“You know why?” he asks.

“Why what?” My heartbeats speed up, fear of this man returning.

“Why he stopped talking.”

“His parents died. That would do it. Trauma does a lot to a person, especially one so young.”

His body turns visibly rigid, the vein in his neck twitching. He barely looks at me anymore as he drives us back to town. And before I can tell him my address, he’s on my street.

A chill creeps up my arms.

He knows where I live.

The devil knows where I live.

He stops right in front of my home. “Have a good day, Ms. Hill.”

His demeanor is no longer friendly. Those eyes darkening. His facial expression cold.

I stuff down my anxiety and hop out.

Closing the door behind me, I vow to get as far away from him as possible.

CHAPTER 5

TYNAN

After dropping her off, I continue to follow her, trailing behind her in my SUV.

I’ve been following Ms. Hill for a few weeks now. Tailed her to the café too. Ran into her on purpose. Even went to her place once while she was sleeping, just to see if I could find anything when she was at her most vulnerable.

I need to know who’s teaching Brody. If he’s safe around her. I’m still unsure. Neither my brothers nor I could find shit on her. She’s like a ghost, and that doesn’t smell right.

Hate that I’ve become a man who follows a woman around. I have people for that. Yet with her, I need to do it myself. I don’t know why, but the thought of one of my men following her made me lose it.

I’ve been to her place when she wasn’t home too. Saw the gun she keeps hidden in her nightstand.

And sure, that alone wouldn’t mean much, but I’ve noticed the way she’s always looking over her shoulder, like someone’s after her.

She was afraid of me too.

I saw it in her eyes.

I can’t lie and say it doesn’t excite me.

Though what excited me most was that she wanted me. I could practically feel her shiver the closer I got. Almost heard her moan in the car when I touched her.

But she’s guarded. And I need to know why.

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